28 May 2025
ECSU holds a Conference on The Right of Landlocked States in Relation to access to Sea under International Law
Ethiopian Civil Service University (ECSU) College of Leadership and Governance, Department of Diplomacy and International Relations and Department of Federalism Studies in collaboration with Austrian Embassy organized a Conference on ‘The Right of Landlocked States in Relation to access to Sea under International Law,’ on May 21, 2025.
Lemma Gudissa (PhD), ECSU Vice President for Academic Affairs, welcomed all Honorable guests, Ambassadors, Academic staffs, Invited guests and Students. He also thanked H.E. Ambassador Gregor Schusterschitz for his interest to share his experience on the issues of land locked states for ECSU academia. He also emphasized the overall importance of proximity to the coast, securing a reliable and sovereign path to the sea by examining Ethiopia’s rights under international law, exploring the legal principles that govern access to the sea and the solutions available when coastal states avoid such access. Therefore, it is essential to establish a clear understanding of the legal framework that underpins the right of landlocked states to access the sea, he remarked.
Speaker of the seminar, H.E. Ambassador Gregor Schusterschitz, outlined legal issues regarding the right of Landlocked States in relation to access to sea under International aw. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that clarifies on the rights of landlocked countries, including participation in the exploitation of coastal states' offshore resources and negotiation of transit transport agreements governing customs, infrastructure, and dispute resolution. By upholding these international law principles and mechanisms, landlocked countries can overcome geographic barriers, benefit from maritime trade, and develop their economies, he mentioned.
Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, landlocked states are entitled to transit rights through neighboring coastal states to facilitate trade and economic development. Article 125 guarantees the right of access to and from the sea, including the use of ports and transportation infrastructure. Article 127 mandates freedom of transit, prohibiting coastal states from imposing unnecessary restrictions or excessive tariffs. And also, Article 131 ensures that ships flying the flag of a landlocked state receive equal treatment in transit-state ports. While these provisions offer legal grounds for Ethiopia to assert its rights, the effectiveness of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in resolving disputes he emphasized
He concluded, ensuring access to the sea will require a multidimensional approach—one that blends legal rights with diplomatic pragmatism and strategic alliances. By exploring the legal principles, Ethiopia can work toward a sustainable and enforceable solution that guarantees its rightful place in the global maritime economy.
H.E. Ambassador Gregor Schusterschitz, is an Ambassador and legal advisor for the Ministry of European and International Affairs and also Honorary Professor for European and International Law at the University of Innsbruck.