The National Commission on the Outer Limit of the Continental Shelf (COPLA)

The National Commission on the Outer Limit of the Continental Shelf was created in 1997 by Law No. 24.815 as the State body responsible for preparing the final submission of the outer limit of the Argentine continental shelf, pursuant to UNCLOS and to Law No. 23.968 on Maritime Areas.

COPLA is an inter-ministerial commission presided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, and it is made up of a member of the Naval Hydrographic Service and another one of the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance. The members are assisted by a General Coordinator. COPLA has professionals from the various disciplines involved: geodesists, hydrographers, geologists, geophysicists, cartographers, oceanographers, Geographic Information System experts, lawyers, and international law experts. In addition, several state agencies and universities related to this field collaborate with COPLA.

The continuity and effort of the working groups, who have spent approximately 950,000 man‑hours thus far, made it possible to accomplish this mission, undertaken as a true State policy.