On 28 March 2016, the UN Commission on the Limits of the Contintental Shelf released the results of its 14th session, which took place from 1 February until 18 March. A crucial outcome was that the commission ruled in favour of Argentina, that filed a request before to expand its continental shelf. Argentina's maritime waters would be expanded by 35%, according to this un-binding decision, and includes the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands. The latter is sensitive, as the Falkland Islands is a British Overseas Territory of the UK. While the decision was hailed in Argentina, the UK and the Falkland Islands have played down the significance of the report, stating it would have no effect on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Foradori considered the decision - while un-binding - a victory for Argentina, yet stated Argentina would not seek to extend their rights on territories controlled by the UK.

The Falklands have been administered by the UK since 1833. Argentina and the UK have a long-standed dispute on who the island belongs to. In 1982, the two countries fought a short ten-week war over the island, which was won by the UK. Hundreds of people died in the conflict, and over a thousand were wounded.

The UN Commission which has ruled in favour or Argentina, consists of a panel of 21 international experts on matters such as the contintental shelf. 

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For more on the Falkland Islands, as well as the war back in 1982, click here.