A/RES/78/69 GA

United Nations A/RES/78/69 General Assembly Distr.: General 11 December 2023 23-24917 (E) 261223 *2324917* Seventy-eighth session Agenda item 75 (a) Oceans and the law of the sea: oceans and the law of the sea Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 5 December 2023 [without reference to a Main Committee (A/78/L.15)] 78/69. Oceans and the law of the sea The General Assembly, Reaffirming its annual resolutions on the law of the sea and on oceans and the law of the sea, including resolution 77/248 of 30 December 2022, as well as other relevant resolutions concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (the Convention),1 Recalling, in this regard, resolution 77/321 of 1 August 2023 on the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General,2 the report of the intergovernmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction at its fifth session,3 the letter dated 30 June 2023 from the President of the conference to the President of the General Assembly,4 the report on the work of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole on the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects (the Regular Process),5 the report on the work of the United Nations Open- ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (the Informal __________________ 1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, No. 31363. 2 A/78/67 and A/78/339. 3 A/CONF.232/2023/5. 4 A/77/945. 5 A/78/77. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 2/57 Consultative Process) at its twenty-third meeting,6 and the reports of the thirty-third Meeting and the resumed thirty-third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention,7 Recognizing the pre-eminent contribution provided by the Convention to the strengthening of peace, security, cooperation and friendly relations among all nations in conformity with the principles of justice and equal rights and to the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples of the world, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, as well as to the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, Emphasizing the universal and unified character of the Convention, and reaffirming that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out and is of strategic importance as the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine sector, and that its integrity needs to be maintained, as recognized also by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in chapter 17 of Agenda 21, 8 Noting with satisfaction that, in the outcome document of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 20 to 22 June 2012, entitled “The future we want”,9 as endorsed by the General Assembly in resolution 66/288 of 27 July 2012, States recognized that oceans, seas and coastal areas form an integrated and essential component of the Earth’s ecosystem and are critical to sustaining it, and that international law, as reflected in the Convention, provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources, and stressed the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and of their resources for sustainable development, including through their contributions to poverty eradication, sustained economic growth, food security and creation of sustainable livelihoods and decent work, while at the same time protecting biodiversity and the marine environment and addressing the impacts of climate change, Recalling that, in “The future we want”, States underscored that broad public participation and access to information and judicial and administrative proceedings were essential to the promotion of sustainable development and that sustainable development required the meaningful involvement and active participation of regional, national and subnational legislatures and judiciaries, and all major groups, and, in this regard, that they agreed to work more closely with major groups and other stakeholders and encouraged their active participation, as appropriate, in processes that contribute to decision-making, planning and implementation of policies and programmes for sustainable development at all levels, Noting that, in “The future we want”, States stressed the importance of the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the achievement of sustainable development and recognized the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples10 in the context of global, regional, national and subnational implementation of sustainable development strategies, and in this regard recognizing the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the context of the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources, __________________ 6 A/78/129. 7 SPLOS/33/15 and SPLOS/33/19. 8 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3 – 14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II. 9 Resolution 66/288, annex. 10 Resolution 61/295, annex. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 3/57 23-24917 Guided by the use of, where available, the relevant traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and of local communities in the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources, Recalling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,11 and in this regard reaffirming the commitment to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, as reflected in Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda, which is important to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals contained in the 2030 Agenda, Recalling also its resolution 76/296 of 21 July 2022, in which it endorsed the declaration entitled “Our ocean, our future, our responsibility” adopted by the high- level United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, held in Lisbon from 27 June to 1 July 2022, as well as its resolution 71/312 of 6 July 2017, in which it endorsed the declaration entitled “Our ocean, our future: call for action” adopted by the Conference held in New York from 5 to 9 June 2017, and in this regard reaffirming the important role of the declarations in demonstrating the collective determination to act decisively and urgently to improve the health, productivity, sustainable use and resilience of the ocean and its ecosystem, Recalling further its decision to convene the high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, co-hosted by Costa Rica and France in June 2025, to support the implementation of Goal 14, Recognizing the important contributions of the interactive dialogues and voluntary commitments made in the context of the high-level 2022 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 to accelerate the effective and timely implementation of Goal 14, Recognizing also paragraphs 64 and 65 of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, adopted by the Conference, which was held from 13 to 16 July 2015, 12 Welcoming the ocean-related outcomes of the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme, especially the resolutions on ending plastic pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument,13 on nature-based solutions for supporting sustainable development, 14 on the sound management of chemicals and waste,15 on biodiversity and health,16 and on sustainable nitrogen management,17 Conscious that the problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a whole through an integrated, interdisciplinary, intersectoral and participatory approach, and reaffirming the need to improve cooperation and coordination at the national, regional and global levels, in accordance with the Convention, to support and supplement the efforts of each State in promoting the __________________ 11 Resolution 70/1. 12 Resolution 69/313, annex. 13 UNEP/EA.5/Res.14. 14 UNEP/EA.5/Res.5. 15 UNEP/EA.5/Res.7. 16 UNEP/EA.5/Res.6. 17 UNEP/EA.5/Res.2. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 4/57 implementation and observance of the Convention and the integrated management and sustainable development of the oceans and seas, Recognizing that the realization of the benefits of the Convention could be enhanced by international cooperation, technical assistance and advanced scientific knowledge, as well as by funding and capacity-building, and reiterating the essential need for cooperation, in accordance with States’ capabilities, including through capacity-building and transfer and development of marine technology, inter alia, in relation to the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of marine resources, the protection and preservation of the marine environment, marine scientific research and other activities in the marine environment compatible with the Convention, to ensure that all States, especially developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, are able both to implement the Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, as well as to participate fully in global and regional forums and processes dealing with oceans and law of the sea issues, while recognizing the need to also address the particular challenges faced by developing middle-income countries, Emphasizing the need to strengthen the ability of competent international organizations to contribute, at the global, regional, subregional and bilateral levels, through cooperation programmes with Governments, to the development of national capacity in marine science and the sustainable management of the oceans and their resources, Recalling that marine science is important for eradicating poverty, contributing to food security, conserving the world’s marine environment and resources, helping to understand, predict and respond to natural events and promoting the sustainable development of the oceans and seas, by improving knowledge, through sustained research efforts and the evaluation of monitoring results, and applying such knowledge to management and decision-making, Expressing deep concern at the adverse economic, social and environmental impacts of the physical alteration and destruction of marine habitats that may result from land-based and coastal development activities, in particular those land reclamation activities that are carried out in a manner that has a detrimental impact on the marine environment, Reiterating its serious concern at the current and projected adverse effects of climate change, including rising seawater temperature, ocean deoxygenation, and sea level rise, as well as ocean acidification, on the marine environment and marine biodiversity, and emphasizing the urgency of addressing these adverse effects, considering also the importance of preserving the role of the ocean as a carbon sink, Noting with concern, in this regard, the findings by the World Meteorological Organization, in its Greenhouse Gas Bulletin No. 19, that, in 2022, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere were at 417.9 plus or minus 0.2 parts per million, which represents an increase of 2.2 parts per million, a relative increase of 0.53 per cent, over the period 2021–2022, and the findings in its State of the Global Climate 2022 that the global mean temperature in 2022 was about 1.15 degrees Celsius above the 1850 to 1900 baseline, Noting with concern also that the World Meteorological Organization, in its State of the Global Climate 2022, highlighted that the past eight years, from 2015 to 2022, were the eight warmest on record, while ocean heat content reached its highest recorded levels, and that the world also continued to see increasing rising of sea levels, concentrations of greenhouse gases and ocean acidification, while the cryosphere continued its contraction, Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 5/57 23-24917 Expressing concern that climate change continues to increase the severity and incidence of coral bleaching throughout tropical seas and weakens the ability of reefs to withstand ocean acidification, which could have serious and irreversible negative effects on marine organisms, particularly corals, as well as to withstand other pressures, including overfishing and pollution, Reiterating its deep concern at the vulnerability of the environment and the fragile ecosystems of the polar regions particularly affected by the observed and projected adverse effects of climate change and ocean acidification, Recognizing the need for a more integrated and ecosystem-based approach to, further study of and the promotion of measures for enhanced cooperation, coordination and collaboration relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, Recognizing also that hydrographic surveys and nautical charting are critical to the safety of navigation and life at sea, environmental protection, including the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and the economics of the global shipping industry, and encouraging further efforts towards electronic charting, which not only provides significantly increased benefits for safe navigation and management of ship movement, but also provides data and information that can be used for sustainably managed fisheries and sustainably managed aquaculture activities and other sectoral uses of the marine environment, the delimitation of maritime boundaries and environmental protection, and noting that, under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974,18 ships on international voyages are required to carry an electronic chart display and information system, in accordance with the implementation schedule as set out in that Convention, Noting with concern threats to maritime safety and security, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, smuggling and terrorist acts against shipping, offshore installations and other maritime interests, and the continuing problem of transnational organized crime committed at sea, including illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and illicit trafficking in firearms, and noting the deplorable loss of life and adverse impact on international trade, energy security and the global economy resulting from such activities, Noting the importance of the delineation by coastal States of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in accordance with the Convention and of the role of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (the Commission) in that regard, Reaffirming the importance of the work of the Commission for coastal States and for the international community, Noting with concern the projected timetable of the work of the Commission on the submissions already received by it and those yet to be received, Taking note of the letter dated 11 April 2023 from the Chair of the Commission addressed to the President of the thirty-third Meeting of States Parties,19 Recalling its decision, in resolutions 57/141 of 12 December 2002 and 58/240 of 23 December 2003, to establish a regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socioeconomic aspects, both current and foreseeable, building on existing regional __________________ 18 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1184, No. 18961. 19 SPLOS/33/10. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 6/57 assessments, as recommended by the World Summit on Sustainable Development, 20 and noting the need for cooperation among all States to this end, and recalling further its decisions, most recently in resolution 77/248, regarding the Regular Process, as established under the United Nations and accountable to the General Assembly, Reaffirming the cross-cutting role of ocean science in Sustainable Development Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda, Reaffirming also its decision, in resolution 72/73 of 5 December 2017, to proclaim the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development for the 10-year period beginning on 1 January 2021, within existing structures and available resources, Recognizing the importance and the contribution of the work of the Informal Consultative Process established by the General Assembly in its resolution 54/33 of 24 November 1999 to facilitate the annual review of developments in ocean affairs by the Assembly, Reaffirming the importance of the work of the International Seabed Authority (the Authority) in accordance with the Convention and the Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (the Part XI Agreement),21 Reaffirming also the importance of the work of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (the Tribunal) in accordance with the Convention, I Implementation of the Convention and related agreements and instruments 1. Reaffirms the unified character of the Convention and the vital importance of preserving its integrity; 2. Calls upon all States that have not done so, in order to fully achieve the goal of universal participation, to become parties to the Convention and the Part XI Agreement; 3. Calls upon States that have not done so, in order to achieve the goal of universal participation, to become parties to the Agreement for the Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (the Fish Stocks Agreement); 22 4. Calls upon States to harmonize their national legislation with the provisions of the Convention and, where applicable, relevant agreements and instruments, to ensure the consistent application of those provisions and to ensure also that any declarations or statements that they have made or make when signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention do not purport to exclude or to modify the legal effect of the provisions of the Convention in their application to the State concerned and to withdraw any such declarations or statements; 5. Calls upon States Parties to the Convention that have not yet done so to deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations and, in the case of the outer limit lines of the continental shelf, also with the Secretary-General of the Authority, __________________ 20 See Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 2, annex. 21 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1836, No. 31364. 22 Ibid., vol. 2167, No. 37924. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 7/57 23-24917 copies of charts or lists of geographical coordinates, as provided for in the Convention, preferably using the generally accepted and most recent geodetic datums; 6. Notes, in this regard, the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to improve the existing geographic information system for the deposit by States of charts and geographical coordinates concerning maritime zones, including lines of delimitation, submitted pursuant to the Convention, and to give due publicity thereto, and re-emphasizes the importance of the completion of these efforts through wide participation and reviews by Member States of the technical standards for the collection, storage and dissemination of the deposited information, developed by the International Hydrographic Organization, in cooperation with the Division for Ocean Affairs and the law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat (the Division), which are not legally binding, in order to ensure compatibility among geographic information systems, electronic nautical charts and other systems; 7. Recalls the note on the practice of the Secretary-General in respect of the deposit of charts and/or lists of geographical coordinates of points under the Convention23 and the Guidelines on deposit with the Secretary-General of charts and lists of geographical coordinates of points under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea prepared by the Secretariat;24 8. Emphasizes that underwater archaeological, cultural and historical heritage needs to be protected and preserved, further emphasizes the duty of States under article 303, paragraph 1, of the Convention to protect objects of an archaeological and historical nature found at sea and to cooperate for this purpose, and urges all States, in accordance with the Convention, to cooperate, directly or through competent international bodies, in taking measures to protect and preserve such objects, and calls upon States to work together on such diverse challenges and opportunities as the appropriate relationship between salvage law and scientific management and conservation of underwater cultural heritage, increasing technological abilities to discover and reach underwater sites, looting, destruction, illicit trafficking, and growing underwater tourism; 9. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, 25 and notes in particular the rules annexed to that Convention, which address the relationship between salvage law and scientific principles of management, conservation and protection of underwater cultural heritage among Parties, their nationals and vessels flying their flag; II Capacity-building 10. Recognizes the importance of assisting developing States, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, in implementing the Convention, urges States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make voluntary financial or other contributions to the trust funds, as referred to in resolutions 55/7 of 30 October 2000, 57/141, and 64/71 of 4 December 2009, __________________ 23 SPLOS/30/12. 24 Available at https://www.un.org/Depts/los/doalos_publications/publicationstexts/ DepositGuidelinesEnglish.pdf. 25 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2562, No. 45694. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 8/57 established for this purpose, and expresses its appreciation to those that have contributed;26 11. Emphasizes that capacity-building is essential to ensure that States, especially developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, are able to fully implement the Convention, benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas and participate fully in global and regional forums on ocean affairs and the law of the sea; 12. Also emphasizes the need to address the particular challenges faced by developing middle-income countries through capacity-building; 13. Calls for capacity-building initiatives to take into account the needs of developing countries, and calls upon States, international organizations and donor agencies to make efforts to ensure the sustainability of such initiatives; 14. Recalls, in this regard, that, in “The future we want”, States recognized the importance of building the capacity of developing countries to be able to benefit from the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and seas and their resources, and in this regard emphasized the need for cooperation in marine scientific research to implement the provisions of the Convention and the outcomes of the major summits on sustainable development, as well as for the transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms; 15. Recognizes that promoting the voluntary transfer of technology on mutually agreed terms and conducted on fair and reasonable terms and conditions is an essential aspect of building capacity in marine science where due regard should be given to the needs and priorities of developing States, further encourages States to use the Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at its twenty-second session, in 2003, and recalls the important role of the secretariat of that Commission in the implementation and promotion of the Criteria and Guidelines; 16. Emphasizes the need for international cooperation for capacity-building, including cross-sectoral cooperation, at national, regional and global levels, to address, in particular, gaps in capacity-building in ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including marine science and meteorological sciences; 17. Calls upon donor agencies and international financial institutions to keep their programmes systematically under review to ensure the availability in all States, particularly in developing States, of the economic, legal, navigational, scientific, technical and management skills necessary for the full implementation of the Convention and the objectives of the present resolution, as well as the sustainable development of the oceans and seas nationally, regionally and globally, and in so doing to bear in mind the interests and needs of landlocked developing States; 18. Encourages intensified efforts to build capacity for developing countries, in particular for the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, to improve aids to navigation and search and rescue services, hydrographic services and the production of nautical charts, including electronic charts, as well as the mobilization of resources and building of capacity with support from international financial institutions and the donor community; 19. Calls upon States and international organizations, including through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes, technical partnerships and __________________ 26 See www.un.org/depts/los/general_assembly/SGReportTrustFunds1August202231July2023.pdf. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 9/57 23-24917 fellowships, to continue in a sustainable and comprehensive way to support, promote and strengthen capacity-building activities, in particular in developing countries, in the field of marine scientific research by, inter alia, training personnel to develop and enhance relevant expertise, providing the necessary equipment, facilities and vessels and transferring environmentally sound technologies and methodologies, taking into account the need to improve capacities in the field of taxonomy; 20. Calls upon States and international institutions, including through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes, technical partnerships and fellowships, to support and strengthen capacity-building activities in developing countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, to develop their maritime administration and appropriate legal frameworks to establish or enhance the necessary infrastructure, legislative, enforcement and monitoring capabilities to promote effective compliance with and implementation and enforcement of their responsibilities under international law; 21. Also calls upon States and international institutions, including through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes, technical partnerships and fellowships, to support and strengthen capacity-building activities in developing countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, in the area of mitigation of and adaptation to climate change impacts on the ocean, including protection of coasts against sea level rise and through ecosystem-based approaches and nature-based solutions; 22. Invites States, in particular those States with advanced technology and marine capabilities, to explore prospects for improving cooperation with and assistance to developing States, in particular least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, with a view to better integrating into national policies and programmes sustainable and effective development in the marine sector; 23. Calls upon States and international institutions, including through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes, technical partnerships and fellowships, to develop and strengthen capacity-building activities in and to transfer to developing countries, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, on mutually agreed terms, and taking into account the Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, environmentally sound technologies and methodologies to study and minimize the impacts of ocean acidification, and notes in this regard the international scientific cooperation through the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre of the International Atomic Energy Agency and within the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network; 24. Emphasizes the need to focus on strengthening South-South cooperation as an additional way to build capacity and as a cooperative mechanism to further enable countries to set their own priorities and needs and to foster actions to implement such cooperation; 25. Recognizes with appreciation the important contribution to capacity- building in the field of the law of the sea by the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy, a cooperative undertaking by the University of Virginia School of Law, the Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and Maritime Law, the Law of the Sea Institute of Iceland, the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law, the Netherlands Institute for the Law of the Sea of Utrecht University, the Centre for International Law of the National University of Singapore, and the University of New Hampshire School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, which enjoys associate sponsorship of the Korea Maritime Institute and the Ankara University National Center for the Sea and Maritime Law and offers a prominent three-week summer A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 10/57 course annually in Rhodes, Greece, and has graduated 1,088 students from more than 120 countries; 26. Also recognizes with appreciation the important contribution to capacity- building in the field of the law of the sea by the Summer Academy of the International Foundation for the Law of the Sea at the Tribunal; 27. Further recognizes with appreciation the important contribution of the Korea Maritime Institute to the trust fund to support the internship programmes at the Tribunal since 2011 and its continued efforts, in cooperation with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, to provide education and training for capacity-building of developing countries through the Yeosu Academy of the Law of the Sea programme; 28. Recognizes the holding of the regional courses on the continental shelf in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, jointly organized by the African Institute of International Law and the University of the Faroe Islands, and their continuing important contribution to capacity-building, particularly in developing countries; 29. Also recognizes the importance of the work of the Malta-based International Maritime Law Institute of the International Maritime Organization, as a centre of education and training of specialists in maritime law, including government legal advisers and other high-level officials, mainly from developing States, confirms its effective capacity-building role in the field of international maritime law, shipping law and marine environmental law, and urges States, intergovernmental organizations and financial institutions to make voluntary financial contributions to the budget of the Institute which runs annually; 30. Further recognizes the importance of the World Maritime University of the International Maritime Organization, as a centre of excellence for maritime education and research, confirms its effective capacity-building role in the field of maritime transportation, policy, administration, management, safety, security and environmental protection, as well as its role in the international exchange and transfer of knowledge, notes the role of the World Maritime University-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute, and urges States, intergovernmental organizations and other bodies to make voluntary financial contributions to the University’s Endowment Fund; 31. Welcomes the efforts of the Tribunal in holding regional workshops, including the latest workshop on the role of the Tribunal in the settlement of disputes relating to the law of the sea, held in France on 1 and 2 June 2023, in cooperation with the Institute for Peace and Development at Côte d’Azur University and with the support of Cyprus, France and the Korea Maritime Institute; 32. Also welcomes the efforts of the Tribunal in holding capacity-building workshops, including the latest workshop, on the settlement of disputes under the Convention for the legal advisers from the African region, held at the Tribunal from 2 to 7 July 2023, sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Korea; 33. Further welcomes ongoing activities for capacity-building so as to address maritime security and protection of the marine environment of developing States, and encourages States and international financial institutions to provide additional funding for capacity-building programmes, including for transfer of technology, including through the International Maritime Organization and other competent international organizations; 34. Recognizes the considerable need to provide sustained capacity-building assistance, including on financial and technical aspects, by relevant international organizations and donors to developing States, with a view to further strengthening their capacity to take effective measures against the multiple facets of international Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 11/57 23-24917 criminal activities at sea, in line with the relevant international instruments, including the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto;27 35. Also recognizes the need to build the capacity of developing States to raise awareness of and support the implementation of improved waste management practices, noting the particular vulnerability of small island developing States to the impact of marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities and marine debris and nutrient pollution;28 36. Acknowledges the importance of capacity-building for developing States, in particular the least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, for the protection of the marine environment and the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources; 37. Encourages States to consider additional opportunities for capacity- building at the regional level; 38. Takes note of the second edition of the Global Ocean Science Report of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, which assesses the status of and trends in ocean science capacity around the world; 39. Also takes note of the Capacity Development Strategy (2023–2030) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, which recognizes capacity development as one of the six functions of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Medium-Term Strategy (2022–2029), enabling all Member States to participate in, and benefit from, ocean research and services that are vital to sustainable development and human welfare on the planet; 29 40. Calls upon States to continue to assist developing States, and especially the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, at the bilateral and, where appropriate, multilateral levels, in the preparation of submissions to the Commission regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, including the assessment of the nature and extent of the continental shelf of a coastal State, and recalls that coastal States can make requests to the Commission for scientific and technical advice in the preparation of data for their submissions, in accordance with article 3 of annex II to the Convention; 41. Recognizes the importance of the trust fund established pursuant to resolution 55/7, and referred to in annex II thereto,30 in providing developing States with all relevant forms of financial and technical assistance in complying with the requirements relating to their submissions to the Commission; 42. Calls upon the Division to continue to disseminate information on relevant procedures related to the trust fund established for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of submissions to the Commission and to continue its dialogue with potential beneficiaries with a view to providing financial support to developing countries for activities to facilitate their submissions in accordance with the __________________ 27 United Nations, Treaty Series, vols. 2225, 2237, 2241 and 2326, No. 39574. 28 See 2012 Guidelines for the Development of a Regional Reception Facilities Plan, International Maritime Organization, resolution MEPC.221(63). 29 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/A-32/Decisions, decision A-32/4.3. 30 See the terms of reference, guidelines and rules of the voluntary trust fund established by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/7 for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for developing States, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as amended by the Assembly in its resolutions 58/240, 70/235 and 73/124. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 12/57 requirements of article 76 of the Convention and with the rules of procedure 31 and the Scientific and Technical Guidelines of the Commission; 32 43. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with States and relevant international organizations and institutions, to continue to support training and other activities to assist developing States in the preparation and presentation of their submissions to the Commission; 44. Recognizes with appreciation the contribution of the Division to capacity- building activities at the national and regional levels, in particular the work of the Division in promoting wider appreciation of the Convention and in assisting with its implementation, through the provision of information, advice and assistance to States and intergovernmental organizations, as well as the support of the Division for Member State implementation of the relevant parts of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the implementation by the Division of the programmes of assistance, funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, to meet the strategic capacity needs of developing States in the field of ocean governance and the law of the sea; 45. Notes with appreciation the joint delivery of regional online trainings for East Africa, West Africa, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean region on ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including the development of a self-paced e-learning platform by the Division and other partners under the PROBLUE Ocean Governance Capacity- Building Training Programme (World Bank); 46. Notes the partnership between the Division and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on a training programme on marine scientific research under the Convention, and encourages States, relevant international organizations and other donors to consider supporting the initiative; 47. Invites the Secretary-General, in cooperation with Member States, international financial institutions, donor agencies and intergovernmental organizations, to endeavour to expand the capacity-building activities of the Division in order to meet the increased need for assistance to developing States; 48. Invites States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to support the capacity-building activities of the Division, including by making earmarked voluntary contributions to the trust fund established by the Secretary-General for the Office of Legal Affairs to support the promotion of international law, and expresses its appreciation to those that have contributed; 49. Recognizes with appreciation the important contribution to the capacity- building of developing countries and the promotion of the law of the sea made by the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea, which was established by the General Assembly in 1981 in honour of the first President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, expresses its appreciation to States that have made contributions to the voluntary trust fund for the Fellowship, notes that the financial state of the Fellowship remains a concern and that contributions are encouraged to ensure that at least one fellowship can be awarded annually, expresses its commitment to further promote the importance of the Fellowship, and urges States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make voluntary financial contributions in support of the Fellowship; __________________ 31 CLCS/40/Rev.1. 32 CLCS/11, CLCS/11/Corr.1, CLCS/11/Add.1 and CLCS/11/Add.1/Corr.1. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 13/57 23-24917 50. Also recognizes with appreciation the important contribution of the United Nations-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme and the Strategic Needs Fellowship Programme to human resources development for Member States, particularly developing Member States, in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea and related disciplines, as well as the fostering of global interlinkages and continuing capacity development through the alumni programme; 51. Encourages competent international organizations, the United Nations Development Programme and international financial institutions and funds to consider expanding their programmes within their respective fields of competence for assistance to developing countries and to coordinate their efforts, and recognizes the funding available from the Global Environment Facility, as well as other funds allocated for projects relating to oceans; III Meeting of States Parties 52. Welcomes the reports of the thirty-third Meeting and the resumed thirty- third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention; 53. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide services to the thirty-third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, including documentation, to convene the thirty-fourth Meeting of States Parties from 10 to 14 June 2024, with full conference services, including documentation, as required, and to convene the thirty- fifth Meeting of States Parties for five days in 2025, with full conference services, including documentation, as required; IV Peaceful settlement of disputes 54. Notes with satisfaction the continued and significant contribution of the Tribunal to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with Part XV of the Convention, and underlines the important role and authority of the Tribunal concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention and the Part XI Agreement; 55. Pays tribute to the important and long-standing role of the International Court of Justice with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes concerning the law of the sea; 56. Notes that States parties to an international agreement relating to the purposes of the Convention may submit to, inter alia, the Tribunal or the International Court of Justice any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of that agreement submitted in accordance with that agreement, and also notes the possibility, provided for in the Statutes of the Tribunal and the Court, to submit disputes to a chamber; 57. Encourages States Parties to the Convention that have not yet done so to consider making a written declaration, choosing from the means set out in article 287 of the Convention for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention and the Part XI Agreement, bearing in mind the comprehensive character of the dispute settlement mechanism provided for in Part XV of the Convention; 58. Recalls the successful completion of the first compulsory conciliation under annex V to the Convention, pursuant to section 3 of Part XV, in 2018, which assisted the parties in reaching agreement on a treaty establishing their maritime A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 14/57 boundaries,33 and calls upon States to consider all means to peacefully settle disputes in accordance with international law; V The Area 59. Reiterates the importance of the ongoing elaboration and standardization by the Authority, pursuant to article 145 of the Convention, of rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment, for, inter alia, the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Area and for the prevention of damage to the flora and fauna of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from activities in the Area; 60. Welcomes the progress of the work of the Authority on draft regulations for exploitation of mineral resources in the Area, but also notes the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the meetings within its premises in 2020 and 2021, and in this regard encourages the Authority to continue its work on the draft regulations as a matter of priority and to provide sufficient opportunities and time for substantive consideration and discussion of the draft regulations as well as the relevant standards and guidelines, and emphasizes the ongoing need for openness and transparency and for the draft regulations to ensure that any exploitation activities would take place with the effective protection of the marine environment in accordance with the Convention; 61. Notes the adoption by the Council of decisions ISBA/28/C/9, ISBA/28/C/24 and ISBA/28/C/25 at its twenty-eighth session; 62. Also notes the decisions adopted to create the position of interim director general of the Enterprise34 and the supplementary budget for the period 2023–2024 to cover the costs associated with the establishment of the position; 35 63. Further notes the conclusion of an agreement of cooperation between the International Labour Organization and the Authority, approved by the Council at the second part of its twenty-eighth session;36 64. Notes the endorsement by the Assembly, at the twenty-eighth session of the Authority, of the memorandum of understanding between the Authority and the International Relations Institute of Cameroon concerning the establishment of a curriculum on the law of the sea and Part XI of the Convention, 37 and of a memorandum of understanding between the Authority and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt concerning the establishment of a joint regional training and research centre;38 65. Also notes that the Council and the Assembly accepted the amendments to the statute of the International Civil Service Commission adopted by the General Assembly at its seventy-seventh session in its resolution 77/256 A of 30 December 2022;39 __________________ 33 See A/73/368, para. 19. 34 ISBA/28/C/10 and ISBA/28/C/23. 35 See ISBA/28/A/15. 36 See ISBA/28/C/16. 37 See ISBA/28/A/12. 38 See ISBA/28/A/13. 39 See ISBA/28/A/14. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 15/57 23-24917 66. Further notes the decisions adopted on the development of binding environmental threshold values and on the commissioning of a study on the internalization of environmental costs of exploitation activities in the Area; 40 67. Recalls the relevance of the advisory opinion on the responsibilities and obligations of States sponsoring persons and entities with respect to activities in the Area, issued by the Seabed Disputes Chamber of the Tribunal on 1 February 2011; 41 68. Recognizes the importance of the responsibilities entrusted to the Authority by articles 143 and 145 of the Convention, which refer to marine scientific research in the Area and protection of the marine environment, respectively; 69. Notes the decision of the Assembly to extend the current strategic plan of the Authority for the period 2019–2023 for two years, the request to the Secretary- General of the Authority to review and update the high-level action plan for the period 2019–2023 as necessary for the same period, and the decision to include the periodic review of the international regime of the Area pursuant to article 154 of the Convention as an agenda item for the twenty-ninth session of the Assembly, in 2024, with a view to adopting a decision;42 70. Also notes the Authority database (DeepData), which aims to serve as the principal repository of all data and information relating to activities in the Area; 71. Encourages the Authority to continue its work towards the standardization of marine bathymetric information collected in the Area, in cooperation with relevant international organizations, including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the International Hydrographic Organization, particularly under the Seabed 2030 project;43 72. Notes the progress made in the development of environmental management plans for the Area, and encourages the Authority to continue advancing on the development of regional environmental management plans in priority areas in the Area, such as the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Indian Ocean and the North- West Pacific, as well as notes the efforts of the Authority to continue its work on a revised standardized framework, including the standardized procedure and template;44 VI Effective functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal 73. Commends the progress in the work of the Authority; 74. Also commends the work of the Tribunal since its establishment; 75. Appeals to all States Parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions to the Tribunal in full and on time, and also appeals to States Parties in arrears with their contributions to fulfil their obligations without delay; 76. Expresses serious concern about the number of States Parties to the Convention in arrears with their assessed contributions to the Authority, appeals to all States Parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions to the Authority in full and on time, and urges them to fulfil their obligations without delay, in particular those States whose exercise of voting rights has been suspended by virtue __________________ 40 ISBA/27/C/42 and ISBA/27/C/43. 41 See ISBA/17/A/9. 42 See ISBA/28/A/16. 43 See ISBA/23/A/2. 44 See ISBA/26/C/10, ISBA/27/C/37 and ISBA/28/C/27. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 16/57 of article 184 of the Convention, and invites the Secretary-General of the Authority to continue his efforts to recover arrears, including bilateral efforts; 45 77. Notes that there remains room for improvement in the level of attendance at the Assembly, and urges all members of the Authority to participate in the meetings of the Assembly; 78. Expresses its appreciation to the donors that have made contributions to the voluntary trust funds of the Authority, and encourages Member States, observers, contractors and other stakeholders to contribute financially to these trust funds;46 79. Notes with serious concern the depleted balance of the voluntary trust fund established pursuant to the decision of the Authority at its eighth session 47 for the purpose of defraying the cost of participation of members of the Legal and Technical Commission from developing countries and members of the Finance Committee from developing countries in the meetings of the Commission and of the Committee, notes the appeals to members and other possible donors to make contributions to that fund, and to contractors to consider making a payment of 6,000 United States dollars on a voluntary basis, and expresses its appreciation to those that have made contributions to the voluntary trust fund;48 80. Expresses its appreciation to States that have made contributions to the endowment fund for marine scientific research in the Area established by the Authority at its twelfth session,49 for the purpose of promoting and encouraging the conduct of collaborative marine scientific research in the Area, and encourages States, observers, contractors and other stakeholders to make additional contributions to this fund;50 81. Emphasizes the importance of the rules and staff regulations of the Tribunal in promoting the recruitment of a geographically representative staff in the Professional and higher categories, and welcomes the actions taken by the Tribunal in observance of those rules and regulations; 82. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Tribunal 51 and to the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Authority;52 VII The continental shelf and the work of the Commission 83. Recalls that, in accordance with the Convention, coastal States shall submit information on the limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles to the Commission, which shall make recommendations to coastal States on matters related to the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf, and that such limits established by the coastal State on the basis of these recommendations shall be final and binding; 84. Also recalls that, in accordance with article 77, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the rights of the coastal State over the continental shelf do not depend on occupation, effective or notional, or on any express proclamation; __________________ 45 See ISBA/26/A/19. 46 Ibid. 47 See ISBA/8/A/11. 48 See ISBA/26/A/19. 49 See ISBA/12/A/11. 50 See ISBA/26/A/19. 51 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2167, No. 37925. 52 Ibid., vol. 2214, No. 39357. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 17/57 23-24917 85. Notes with satisfaction that a considerable number of States Parties to the Convention have submitted information to the Commission regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, as well as preliminary information indicative of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and a description of the status of preparation and intended date of submission, and also notes with satisfaction that additional submissions referred to in preliminary information have been filed with the Commission; 86. Also notes with satisfaction the progress in the work of the Commission 53 and that it is giving current consideration to a number of submissions that have been made regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles; 87. Takes note of the 40 recommendations made by the Commission on the submissions of 32 coastal States, and welcomes the fact that summaries of recommendations are being made publicly available in accordance with paragraph 11.3 of annex III to the rules of procedure of the Commission; 88. Notes that the consideration by the Commission of submissions by coastal States in accordance with article 76 of and annex II to the Convention is without prejudice to the application of other parts of the Convention by States Parties; 89. Calls attention to the considerable number of submissions yet to be considered by the Commission and the demands that this places on its members and the secretariat as provided by the Division, and emphasizes the need to ensure that the Commission can perform its functions expeditiously, efficiently and effectively with its full membership and maintain its high level of quality and expertise; 90. Reiterates its invitation to the Commission to continue meeting for a total of 21 weeks per year by holding three sessions of seven weeks each, with no two sessions being sequential, for the remainder of its current five-year term of office, and further notes that more than nine subcommissions are actively considering submissions; 91. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to continue to take appropriate measures, within overall existing resource levels, to further strengthen the capacity of the Division, serving as the secretariat of the Commission, in order to ensure enhanced support and assistance to the Commission and its subcommissions in their consideration of submissions, as required by paragraph 9 of annex III to the rules of procedure of the Commission, in particular its human resources, taking into account the need for simultaneous work on several submissions; 92. Urges the Secretary-General to continue to provide all necessary secretariat services to the Commission in accordance with article 2, paragraph 5, of annex II to the Convention; 93. Requests the Secretary-General to take appropriate and timely measures to ensure secretariat services for the Commission and its subcommissions for the extended duration of time requested in the decisions of the twenty-first and twenty- sixth Meetings of States Parties to the Convention; 94. Also requests the Secretary-General, consequently, to continue to allocate appropriate and sufficient resources to the Division to provide adequate services and assistance to the Commission in view of the number of its working weeks; __________________ 53 See CLCS/55/2, CLCS/56/1, CLCS/57/2 and CLCS/58/2. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 18/57 95. Notes that the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, in its decisions regarding the conditions of service of the members of the Commission, 54 reaffirmed the obligation of States under the Convention whose experts were serving on the Commission to defray the expenses of the experts they had nominated while the experts are in performance of Commission duties, including the provision of medical coverage, and urged those States to do their utmost to ensure the full participation of those experts in the work of the Commission, including the meetings of subcommissions, in accordance with the Convention; 96. Also notes the request of the thirty-third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention that the consideration of the conditions of service of the members of the Commission continue within the open-ended working group established by the twenty-third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, and emphasizes the urgency of finding appropriate solutions;55 97. Further notes the decision of the thirty-third Meeting of States Parties to the Convention to adopt a pattern of elections and of the commencement of the term of office of members of the Commission, according to which the Meeting will continue holding elections of members of the Commission one year before the expiration of the five-year term of office of the sitting members, in the light of the administrative and logistical benefits;56 98. Emphasizes the importance of the voluntary trust funds established pursuant to resolution 55/7, for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of submissions to the Commission and providing assistance to developing States to meet the travel and daily subsistence allowance costs associated with meeting with the Commission, and for the purpose of facilitating the participation of members of the Commission from developing States in the meetings of the Commission, and expresses its appreciation for the contributions made to these trust funds; 99. Reiterates its serious concern regarding the persistent underfunding of the trust fund established pursuant to resolution 55/7 for the purpose of facilitating the participation of members of the Commission from developing States in the meetings of the Commission, and urges States, including those that have already received recommendations from the Commission, in addition to international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons, to make additional contributions to this fund; 100. Authorizes the use, as appropriate, of the trust fund referred to in paragraph 99 above, and in accordance with the purpose of its terms of reference, to defray the cost of the participation of the Chair of the Commission, when nominated by a developing country, in the Meetings of States Parties to the Convention; 101. Takes note of the written information, provided by the Secretary-General in response to the request in paragraph 81 of resolution 69/245 of 29 December 2014, on options for mechanisms to provide medical insurance coverage to members of the Commission, including costs, and the information provided by the Secretariat during the twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth and thirty-first Meetings of States Parties to the Convention; 102. Recalls its decision that, on an exceptional basis and without setting a precedent for other agenda items, the members of the Commission have the option to join the Headquarters medical insurance scheme upon payment of the full cost of the __________________ 54 SPLOS/276 and SPLOS/286. 55 See SPLOS/33/15. 56 SPLOS/33/12. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 19/57 23-24917 premium, and hereby authorizes the use of the trust fund referred to in paragraph 99 above by the Secretary-General to reimburse the full costs of the premium paid by the members of the Commission from developing States, subject to the availability of funds following the allocation of the required funds to cover the costs of travel and daily subsistence allowance of the members of the Commission from developing States for the sessions of the Commission during the annual insurance coverage period (1 July–30 June); 103. Authorizes the Secretary-General, in case the full costs of the Headquarters medical insurance scheme have not been reimbursed, as an interim measure and subject to the availability of funds following the allocation of the required funds to cover the costs of travel and daily subsistence allowance of the members of the Commission from developing States for the sessions of the Commission in 2024, to reimburse those members for the costs of medical travel insurance and short-term medical insurance from that trust fund on a session-by-session basis and subject to a reasonable limit that the Secretary-General shall determine, based on the information regarding medical travel insurance available; 104. Expresses its intention to continue to consider options for mechanisms to provide medical insurance coverage to members of the Commission and, if necessary, to further review the terms of reference for the trust fund referred to in paragraph 99 above; 105. Emphasizes the continued need for members of the Commission to have suitable working space for their work at the sessions of the Commission and its subcommissions, recognizes, with regard to the long-term accommodation discussions, that, owing to its exceptional character, the Commission has special requirements for its working space, including the need for fit-for-purpose working space, adequate technical equipment and climate control, and needs to remain located within the same premises as the Division, and emphasizes that, in the context of any relocation of the Division or any change in its working space, full regard will be paid to these special requirements of the Commission; 106. Takes note of the requests by the Commission for upgrades to the existing technical facilities of the Division, as contained in the annex to the letter dated 11 April 2023 from the Chair of the Commission addressed to the President of the thirty-third Meeting of States Parties,57 and requests the Secretary-General to provide the requested upgrades with a view to facilitating the work of the Commission; 107. Approves the convening by the Secretary-General of the sixtieth, sixty- first and sixty-second sessions of the Commission, in New York, from 22 January to 8 March 2024, from 8 July to 23 August 2024 and from 7 October to 22 November 2024, respectively, with full conference services, including documentation, for the plenary parts of these sessions,58 also approves the convening by the Secretary- General of the sixty-third, sixty-fourth and sixty-fifth sessions of the Commission in 2025, in New York, with full conference services, including documentation, for the plenary parts of these sessions, as well as any resumed sessions as may be required by the Commission, and requests the Secretary-General to make every effort to meet these requirements within overall existing resources; 108. Expresses its firm conviction about the importance of the work of the Commission, carried out in accordance with the Convention as well as in accordance with its rules of procedure, including with respect to the participation of coastal States __________________ 57 SPLOS/33/10. 58 From 29 January to 2 February 2024 and from 26 February to 1 March 2024 during the sixtieth session, and from 5 to 9 August 2024 and from 19 to 23 August 2024 during the sixty-first session. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 20/57 in relevant proceedings concerning their submissions, and recognizes the continued need for active interaction between coastal States and the Commission; 109. Expresses its appreciation to States that have exchanged views in order to increase understanding of issues, including expenditures involved, arising from the application of article 76 of the Convention, thus facilitating the preparation of submissions by States, in particular developing States, to the Commission, and encourages States to continue to exchange views; 110. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with Member States, to continue to support workshops or symposiums on scientific and technical aspects of the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, taking into account the need to strengthen capacity-building for developing countries in preparing their submissions; VIII Maritime safety and security and flag State implementation 111. Encourages States to ratify or accede to international agreements addressing the safety and security of navigation, as well as maritime labour, and to adopt the necessary measures consistent with the Convention and other relevant international instruments aimed at implementing and enforcing the rules contained in those agreements, and emphasizes the need for capacity-building for and assistance to developing States; 112. Recognizes that the legal regimes governing maritime safety and maritime security may have common and mutually reinforcing objectives that may be interrelated and could benefit from synergies, and encourages States to take this into account in their implementation; 113. Emphasizes the need for further efforts to promote a culture of safety and security in the shipping industry and to address the shortage of adequately trained personnel, and urges the development and strengthening of capacity-building activities and the provision of knowledge and skills through the required education and training, promoted in particular by the International Maritime Organization in collaboration with other relevant international organizations and agencies, as appropriate; 114. Also emphasizes that safety and security measures should be implemented in support of and with minimal negative effects on seafarers and fishers, especially in relation to their working conditions, and welcomes the ongoing cooperation between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Labour Organization in relation to decent work and employment in fisheries and aquaculture and on child labour in fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the work that has been conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the issue of trafficking in persons on fishing vessels and the International Labour Organization on the issue of forced labour on fishing vessels; 115. Reiterates the importance of the fair treatment of crew members and its influence on maritime safety, and welcomes the consideration by the International Maritime Organization of the fair treatment of seafarers, recalls the adoption by the Organization on 4 December 2013 of resolution A.1090(28) on the fair treatment of crew members in respect of shore leave and access to shore-side facilities, and welcomes the provision on shore leave, which entered into force on 1 January 2018, in the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 59 and the adoption __________________ 59 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 591, No. 8564. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 21/57 23-24917 by the International Maritime Organization on 31 March 2023 of Guidelines on how to deal with seafarer abandonment cases;60 116. Notes the adoption by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization on 9 December 2021 of resolution A.1170(32), proclaiming an International Day for Women in Maritime, to be observed on 18 May every year; 117. Invites States that have not yet done so to become parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978,61 as amended, and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995; 118. Encourages States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185)62 and the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) of the International Labour Organization, as well as to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006,63 as amended, calls upon States to effectively implement their obligations under those instruments, and emphasizes the need to provide to States, at their request, technical cooperation and assistance in this regard; 119. Invites States to ratify or accede to the Cape Town Agreement of 2012 on the Implementation of the Provisions of the Torremolinos Protocol of 1993 relating to the Torremolinos International Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977; 120. Welcomes ongoing cooperation between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization relating to the safety of fishers and fishing vessels, and underlines the urgent need for continued work in that area, and notes the revised terms of reference for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization Joint Ad Hoc Working Group on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Related Matters;64 121. Notes the adoption by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization on 15 December 2021 of resolution A.1160(32) on comprehensive action to address seafarers’ challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of recommendations, by the Joint Action Group to review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world’s transport workers and the global supply chain, to provide more effective means of action to the ongoing issues affecting the transportation sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and in similar future public health emergencies of international concern;65 122. Also notes that the ad hoc United Nations inter-agency task force, convened pursuant to a resolution of the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, as amended, concerning the implementation and practical application of that Convention during the COVID-19 pandemic,66 to examine the implementation and practical application of that Convention during the pandemic, including its impact on seafarers’ fundamental rights and on the shipping industry 67 has continued to meet; __________________ 60 Maritime Organization, document LEG 110/18/1, annex 1. 61 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1361, No. 23001. 62 Ibid., vol. 2304, No. 41069. 63 Ibid., vol. 2952, No. 51299. 64 International Labour Organization, document GB.344/POL/2(Rev.1), appendix III. 65 International Labour Organization, document JAG-TSC/2023. 66 International Labour Organization, document STCMLC/Part I/2021/2. 67 International Labour Organization, document GB.342/Decisions, para. 8.1 (c). A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 22/57 123. Recalls that, in its resolution A.1117(30) of 6 December 2017, the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization revised the International Maritime Organization Ship Identification Number Scheme to expand its voluntary application to a wider scope of vessels with a view to enhancing maritime safety and pollution prevention and to facilitate the prevention of maritime fraud; 124. Also recalls that all actions taken to combat threats to maritime security must be in accordance with international law, including the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention; 125. Recognizes the crucial role of international cooperation at the global, regional, subregional and bilateral levels in combating, in accordance with international law, threats to maritime security, including piracy, armed robbery against ships at sea and terrorist acts against shipping, offshore installations, submarine cables and pipelines and other critical infrastructure and maritime interests, through bilateral and multilateral instruments and mechanisms aimed at monitoring, preventing and responding to such threats, the enhanced sharing of information among States relevant to the detection, prevention and suppression of such threats, and the prosecution of offenders with due regard to national legislation, and the need for sustained capacity-building to support such objectives, and in this regard welcomes activities related to maritime security under the thirtieth Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, held on 14 July 2023; 126. Encourages African Member States of the United Nations that have not yet done so to consider ratifying the Charter on Maritime Security and Safety and Development in Africa (Lomé Charter) to facilitate its entry into force; 127. Acknowledges the work of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in promoting international cooperation and strengthening capacity to combat the problem of transnational organized crime committed at sea; 128. Notes with concern that piracy and armed robbery at sea affect a wide range of vessels engaged in maritime activities, and expresses grave concern at the threats posed by piracy and armed robbery at sea to the safety and welfare of seafarers and other persons; 129. Emphasizes the importance of promptly reporting incidents to enable accurate information on the scope of the problem of piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea and, in the case of armed robbery against ships at sea, by affected vessels to the coastal State, underlines the importance of effective information-sharing with States potentially affected by incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships at sea, notes with appreciation the important role of the International Maritime Organization and the important contribution of the Information Sharing Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, based in Singapore, which aspires to be recognized as a centre of excellence within its purpose and mandate, and notes the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea mechanism, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations covering the high-risk area, the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre, based in Madagascar, and the Regional Maritime Centre for Operational Coordination in Seychelles; 130. Urges all States, in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization, to actively combat piracy and armed robbery at sea by adopting measures, including those relating to assistance with capacity-building through training of seafarers, port staff and enforcement personnel in the prevention, reporting and investigation of incidents, by bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice, in accordance with international law, and by adopting national legislation, as well as by Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 23/57 23-24917 providing enforcement vessels and equipment and guarding against fraudulent ship registration; 131. Encourages States to ensure effective implementation of international law applicable to combating piracy, as reflected in the Convention, calls upon States to take appropriate steps under their national law to facilitate, in accordance with international law, the apprehension and prosecution of those who are alleged to have committed acts of piracy, including the financing or facilitation of such acts, also taking into account other relevant instruments that are consistent with the Convention, and encourages States to cooperate, as appropriate, with a view to developing their national legislation in this regard; 132. Invites all States, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labour Organization and other relevant international organizations and agencies to adopt or recommend, as appropriate, measures to protect the interest and welfare of seafarers, fishers and passengers who are victims of pirates, after their release from captivity, including their post-incident care and reintegration into society; 133. Notes the compilation of national legislation on piracy on the website of the Division, and encourages the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Division to continue to cooperate with the International Maritime Organization with a view to assisting Member States, upon request, in developing their national laws on piracy; 134. Recognizes continued national, bilateral and trilateral initiatives, as well as regional cooperative mechanisms, in accordance with international law, to address piracy, including the financing or facilitation of acts of piracy, and armed robbery at sea, and calls upon States to give immediate attention to adopting, concluding and implementing cooperation agreements at the regional level on combating piracy and armed robbery against ships; 135. Expresses serious concern at the inhuman conditions hostages taken at sea face in captivity and also the adverse impact on their families, calls for the immediate release of all hostages taken at sea, and stresses the importance of cooperation among Member States on the issue of hostage-taking at sea; 136. Welcomes the continued reduction in the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships as well as hijackings off the coast of Somalia since 2011 68 resulting from efforts at the global and regional levels; 137. Notes the continued efforts within the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities in the Western Indian Ocean following the adoption of Security Council resolution 1851 (2008) of 16 December 2008, including at its twenty-fifth plenary session, chaired by Kenya, in May 2023, and commends the contributions of all States in the efforts to fight piracy off the coast of Somalia; 138. Recognizes the primary responsibility of the Federal Government of Somalia in combating piracy and armed robbery at sea off the coast of Somalia, acknowledges the importance of a comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the situation in Somalia, and emphasizes the need to address the underlying causes of piracy and to assist Somalia and States in the region, at their request, in strengthening institutional capacity to fight piracy and tackle its underlying causes, including the financing or facilitation of acts of piracy, and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia and to bring to justice those involved in such acts; __________________ 68 See International Chamber of Commerce-International Maritime Bureau, “Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships Report”, January–March 2023. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 24/57 139. Notes the International Maritime Organization guidelines, interim guidance and interim recommendations to shipowners, ship operators and shipmasters, private maritime security companies, as well as flag States and port and coastal States on measures to prevent and mitigate Somalia-based piracy; 140. Notes with concern that the continuing limited capacity and domestic legislation to facilitate the custody and prosecution of suspected pirates after their capture has hindered more robust international action against pirates off the coast of Somalia; 141. Encourages States to ensure that ships flying their flag apply ship security measures approved in accordance with national and international law; 142. Notes the efforts made by the shipping industry to cooperate with the efforts by States regarding piracy off the coast of Somalia, in particular in assisting ships that navigate in that area, and also notes the holding of a high-level meeting on the implementation of the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden (Djibouti Code of Conduct)/Jeddah Amendment, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from 22 to 24 November 2022;69 143. Remains concerned about piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, with crew members kidnapped, but welcomes the decline in incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in that region,70 notes the adoption by the Security Council of resolutions 2018 (2011) of 31 October 2011, 2039 (2012) of 29 February 2012 and 2634 (2022) of 31 May 2022 and the statement by the President of the Council of 25 April 2016,71 supports the efforts to address this problem at the global and regional levels, including the adoption of resolution MSC.489(103) on recommended action to address piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization at its 103rd session,72 recalls the primary role of States in the region to counter the threat and address the underlying causes of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea, welcomes the adoption in Yaoundé on 25 June 2013 of the Code of Conduct concerning the Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery against Ships and Illicit Maritime Activity in West and Central Africa, and calls upon States in the region to continue to strengthen implementation of the Code of Conduct as soon as possible and consistent with international law, in particular the Convention; 144. Urges States to ensure the full implementation of resolution A.1159(32) of 15 December 2021 of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization on prevention and suppression of piracy, armed robbery against ships and illicit maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea; 145. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation73 and the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, 74 invites States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the 2005 Protocol to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation 75 and the __________________ 69 See International Maritime Organization, document MSC 107/8. 70 See International Chamber of Commerce-International Maritime Bureau, “Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships Report”, January–March 2023. 71 S/PRST/2016/4; see Resolutions and Decisions of the Security Council, 1 August 2015– 31 December 2016 (S/INF/71). 72 International Maritime Organization, document MSC 103/21/Add.1, annex 9. 73 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1678, No. 29004. 74 Ibid. 75 International Maritime Organization, document LEG/CONF.15/21. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 25/57 23-24917 2005 Protocol to the 1988 Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf, 76 and urges States parties to take appropriate measures to ensure the effective implementation of those instruments through the adoption of legislation, where appropriate; 146. Calls upon States to effectively implement the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code and the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,77 and to work with the International Maritime Organization to promote safe and secure shipping while ensuring freedom of navigation; 147. Urges all States, in cooperation with the International Maritime Organization and other relevant international organizations and agencies, to improve the protection of offshore installations, submarine cables and pipelines and other critical infrastructure by adopting measures related to the prevention, reporting and investigation of acts of violence against such infrastructure, in accordance with international law, and by implementing such measures through national legislation to ensure proper and adequate enforcement; 148. Emphasizes the progress in regional cooperation, including the efforts of littoral States, on the enhancement of safety, security and environmental protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and the effective functioning of the Cooperative Mechanism on Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (the Cooperative Mechanism) to promote dialogue and facilitate close cooperation between the littoral States, user States, shipping industries and other stakeholders in line with article 43 of the Convention, notes with appreciation the convening of the fourteenth Cooperation Forum in Singapore on 31 July and 1 August 2023, the fourteenth Project Coordination Committee Meeting in Singapore on 4 August 2023, the forty-sixth Tripartite Technical Experts Group Meeting in Singapore on 2 and 3 August 2023 and the twenty-eighth Aids to Navigation Fund Committee Meeting in Indonesia on 14 and 15 June 2023, also notes with appreciation the important role of the Information Sharing Centre of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, based in Singapore, and calls upon States to give immediate attention to adopting, concluding and implementing cooperation agreements at the regional level; 149. Recognizes that some transnational organized criminal activities threaten legitimate uses of the oceans and endanger the lives of people at sea, as well as the livelihoods and security of coastal communities; 150. Notes that transnational organized criminal activities are diverse and may be interrelated in some cases and that criminal organizations are adaptive and take advantage of the vulnerabilities of States, in particular coastal and small island developing States in transit areas, and calls upon States and relevant intergovernmental organizations to increase cooperation and coordination at all levels to detect and suppress the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and illicit trafficking in firearms, in accordance with international law; 151. Recognizes the importance of enhancing international cooperation at all levels to fight transnational organized criminal activities, including illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, within the scope of the United Nations instruments against illicit drug trafficking, as well as the smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and illicit trafficking in firearms and criminal activities at sea __________________ 76 International Maritime Organization, document LEG/CONF.15/22. 77 International Maritime Organization, documents SOLAS/CONF.5/32 and SOLAS/CONF.5/34, and document MSC 81/25/Add.1, annex 2, resolution MSC.202(81), introducing the long-range identification and tracking of ships system. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 26/57 falling within the scope of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto; 152. Encourages States to cooperate at the bilateral, regional and global levels to prevent, combat and eradicate illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora, which contributes to biodiversity loss and damage to ecosystems and livelihoods, where such trafficking occurs via maritime routes, through, inter alia, the use of applicable international legal instruments as appropriate, such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, 78 the United Nations Convention against Corruption79 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,80 and reiterates its call upon Member States expressed in its resolution 71/326 of 11 September 2017 to make illicit trafficking in protected species of wild fauna and flora a serious crime, in accordance with their national legislation and as defined in article 2 (b) and article 3, paragraph 1 (b), of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in order to ensure that, where the offence is transnational in nature and involves an organized criminal group, effective international cooperation can be afforded under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to prevent and combat transnational organized crime, and encourages States to implement the International Maritime Organization guidelines for the prevention and suppression of the smuggling of wildlife on ships engaged in international maritime traffic; 153. Notes with grave concern the recent proliferation of, and endangerment of lives through, the smuggling of migrants by sea, underscores the necessity to address such situations in accordance with applicable international law, and encourages States, acting nationally or through relevant global or regional organizations, as appropriate, to provide technical assistance and capacity-building to flag, port and coastal States, upon request, to enhance their capabilities to prevent smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons by sea; 154. Calls upon States, in that context, to take measures in accordance with relevant international obligations to prevent and combat all forms of trafficking in persons, to identify victims of human trafficking, including among migrant flows, and to provide trafficking victims with appropriate protection and assistance, according to their national law and policy; 155. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime,81 the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime,82 and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime,83 and to take appropriate measures to ensure their effective implementation; 156. Calls upon States to ensure freedom of navigation, the safety of navigation and the rights of transit passage, archipelagic sea lanes passage and innocent passage in accordance with international law, in particular the Convention; __________________ 78 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2225, No. 39574. 79 Ibid., vol. 2349, No. 42146. 80 Ibid., vol. 993, No. 14537. 81 Ibid., vol. 2241, No. 39574. 82 Ibid., vol. 2326, No. 39574. 83 Ibid., vol. 2237, No. 39574. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 27/57 23-24917 157. Welcomes the work of the International Maritime Organization relating to the protection of shipping lanes of strategic importance and significance, and in particular in enhancing safety, security and environmental protection in straits used for international navigation, and calls upon that Organization, States bordering straits and user States to continue their cooperation to keep such straits safe, secure and environmentally protected and open to international navigation at all times, consistent with international law, in particular the Convention; 158. Calls upon user States and States bordering straits used for international navigation to continue to cooperate by agreement on matters relating to navigational safety, including safety aids for navigation, and the prevention, reduction and control of pollution from ships, and welcomes developments in this regard; 159. Calls upon States that have accepted the amendments to regulation XI-1/6 of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, 84 to implement the Code of International Standards and Recommended Practices for a Safety Investigation into a Marine Casualty or Marine Incident, 85 which took effect on 1 January 2010, and, in particular, to comply with the mandatory conduct of a marine safety investigation into very serious marine casualties and submission of a marine safety investigation report to the International Maritime Organization to identify trends and develop knowledge and risk-based recommendations; 160. Recognizes the important work of the International Hydrographic Organization and regional hydrographic commissions, calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider becoming members of that Organization, urges all its members to actively facilitate and consider in a timely manner, in accordance with applicable rules and procedures, applications of States that wish to become members of that Organization and regional hydrographic commissions, and further urges all States to work with that Organization, to increase the coverage of hydrographic information on a global basis to enhance capacity-building and technical assistance and to promote safe navigation, particularly through the production and use of accurate electronic navigational charts, especially in areas used for international navigation, in ports and where there are vulnerable or protected marine areas; 161. Also recognizes the importance of navigational and meteorological warning services based on marine meteorological data for the safety of ships and lives at sea and the optimization of navigation routes, and notes the collaboration between the World Meteorological Organization, the International Hydrographic Organization and the International Maritime Organization for the enhancement of these services and their extension to the Arctic region; 162. Encourages States to continue their efforts in the implementation of all areas of the Action Plan for the Safety of Transport of Radioactive Material, approved by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency in March 2004; 163. Also encourages States to ensure effective implementation of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk; 164. Notes that cessation of the transport of radioactive materials through the regions of small island developing States is an ultimate desired goal of small island developing States and some other countries, and recognizes the right of freedom of __________________ 84 International Maritime Organization, document MSC 84/24/Add.1, annex 3, resolution MSC.257(84). 85 Ibid., annex 1, resolution MSC.255(84). A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 28/57 navigation in accordance with international law; that States should maintain dialogue and consultation, in particular under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the International Maritime Organization, with the aim of improved mutual understanding, confidence-building and enhanced communication in relation to the safe maritime transport of radioactive materials; that States involved in the transport of such materials are urged to continue to engage in dialogue with small island developing States and other States to address their concerns; and that these concerns include the further development and strengthening, within the appropriate forums, of international regulatory regimes to enhance safety, disclosure, liability, security and compensation in relation to such transport; 165. Acknowledges, in the context of paragraph 164 above, the potential environmental and economic impacts of maritime incidents and accidents on coastal States, in particular those related to the transport of radioactive materials, and emphasizes the importance of effective liability regimes in that regard; 166. Invites States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007; 86 167. Requests States to take appropriate measures with regard to ships flying their flag or of their registry to address hazards that may be caused by wrecks and drifting or sunken cargo to navigation or the marine environment; 168. Calls upon States to ensure that masters on ships flying their flag take the steps required by relevant instruments87 to provide assistance to persons in distress at sea, and urges States to cooperate and to take all measures necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the amendments to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue88 and to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea89 relating to the delivery of persons rescued at sea to a place of safety, as well as of the associated Guidelines on the Treatment of Persons Rescued at Sea; 90 169. Urges all States to cooperate with each other in inquiries relating to incidents of oil spills at sea, in line with relevant international law, including as reflected in article 94 of the Convention, and for this purpose to share, when requested by the affected coastal State in the context of such inquiries, any available information on the maritime traffic of ships that fly their flags and that sailed in the impacted maritime areas; 170. Recognizes that all States must fulfil their search and rescue responsibilities in accordance with international law, including the Convention, and in that regard encourages States and relevant international organizations to strengthen cooperation on maritime search and rescue activities at the international and regional levels in accordance with international agreements, including the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979;91 171. Reaffirms the ongoing need for the International Maritime Organization and other relevant organizations to assist, in particular, developing States both to __________________ 86 International Maritime Organization, document LEG/CONF.16/19. 87 Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944, annex 12; International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974; International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as amended; United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982; and International Convention on Salvage, 1989. 88 International Maritime Organization, document MSC 78/26/Add.1, annex 5, resolution MSC.155(78). 89 Ibid., annex 3, resolution MSC.153(78). 90 International Maritime Organization, document MSC 78/26/Add.2, annex 34, resolution MSC.167(78). 91 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1405, No. 23489. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 29/57 23-24917 increase and improve their search and rescue capabilities, including, as appropriate, through the establishment of additional rescue coordination centres and regional sub-centres, and to take effective action to address, to the extent feasible, the issue of unseaworthy ships and small craft within their national jurisdiction, and emphasizes in this regard the importance of cooperation for these purposes, including within the framework of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979; 172. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant actors in relation to disembarkation of persons rescued at sea, underscores in this regard the need to implement all relevant and applicable international instruments and the importance of cooperation among States as provided for in those instruments, and emphasizes in particular the importance of full respect for the principle of non-refoulement in accordance with applicable international law; 173. Invites States to implement the Revised Guidelines on the Prevention of Access by Stowaways and the Allocation of Responsibilities to Seek the Successful Resolution of Stowaway Cases, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization in its resolution MSC.448(99) of 24 May 2018 and by the Facilitation Committee of that Organization in its resolution FAL.13(42) of 8 June 2018; 174. Calls upon States to continue to cooperate in developing comprehensive approaches to international migration and development, including through dialogue on all their aspects; 175. Recognizes that submarine cables and pipelines are vitally important to the global economy and the national security of all States, conscious that these cables and pipelines are susceptible to intentional and accidental damage, and calls upon States to take measures to protect submarine cables and pipelines and to fully address issues relating to these cables and pipelines, in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Convention; 176. Encourages greater dialogue and cooperation among States and the relevant regional and global organizations through workshops and seminars on the protection, and laying and maintenance of submarine cables and pipelines to promote the security of such critical infrastructure; 177. Also encourages the adoption by States of laws and regulations necessary to provide that the breaking or injury, or conduct calculated or likely to result in such breaking or injury, of submarine cables or pipelines beneath the high seas done wilfully or through culpable negligence shall be a punishable offence, and further calls upon States to enforce such laws against ships flying their flag or a person subject to their jurisdiction, in accordance with international law, as reflected in the Convention; 178. Affirms the importance of the laying and maintenance, including the repair, of submarine cables and pipelines, undertaken in conformity with international law, as reflected in the Convention, and calls upon States to refrain from impeding the laying or maintenance of submarine cables and pipelines in a manner contrary to the provisions of the Convention, and to respect the relevant rights and duties of coastal States in the relevant maritime zones in this regard, as reflected in the Convention; 179. Reaffirms that flag, port and coastal States all bear responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation and enforcement of international instruments relating to maritime security and safety, in accordance with international law, in particular the Convention, and that flag States have primary responsibility that requires further strengthening, including through increased transparency of ownership of vessels and the monitoring of organizations authorized to carry out A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 30/57 surveys and issue certificates on their behalf, taking into account the Code for Recognized Organizations;92 180. Urges flag States without an effective maritime administration and appropriate legal frameworks to establish or enhance the necessary infrastructure, legislative and enforcement capabilities to ensure effective compliance with and implementation and enforcement of their responsibilities under international law, in particular the Convention, and, until such action is taken, to consider declining the granting of the right to fly their flag to new vessels, suspending their registry or not opening a registry, and calls upon flag and port States to take all measures consistent with international law necessary to prevent the operation of substandard vessels; 181. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization on measures to prevent the fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries of ships, including its encouragement of International Maritime Organization member States and all relevant stakeholders to promote actions for the prevention and suppression of fraudulent registration and fraudulent registries of ships and other fraudulent acts in the maritime sector; 182. Recognizes that international shipping rules and standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization in respect of maritime safety, efficiency of navigation and the prevention and control of marine pollution, complemented by best practices of the shipping industry, have led to a significant reduction in maritime accidents and pollution incidents; 183. Notes that audits of Member States under the International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme became mandatory in January 2016 under nine mandatory International Maritime Organization instruments and are being carried out in accordance with the Framework and the Procedures for the International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme and using the International Maritime Organization Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) as the audit standard;93 184. Encourages States and competent international organizations and bodies to support the effective implementation of the requirements of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code), adopted by the International Maritime Organization under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, 94 including relevant requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, 95 and notes in this regard the adoption by the International Maritime Organization of amendments to the Polar Code to incorporate new requirements for ships that are operating in polar waters concerning safety of navigation and voyage planning, which are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2026;96 185. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization on matters related to passenger ship safety, and encourages States and competent __________________ 92 International Maritime Organization, resolutions MSC.349(92) and MEPC.237(65). 93 See International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolutions A.1018(26), A.1067(28), A.1068(28) and A.1070(28). 94 International Maritime Organization, document MEPC 62/24/Add.1, annex 19, resolution MEPC.203(62). 95 International Maritime Organization, resolutions MSC.385(94) and MEPC.264(68) and related amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (resolution MSC.386(94)) and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (resolution MEPC.265(68)). 96 International Maritime Organization, resolution MSC.538(107). Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 31/57 23-24917 international organizations and bodies to support continued efforts, including technical cooperation activities, to improve passenger ship safety; 186. Also notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization regarding maritime autonomous surface ships, including development of a non-mandatory, goal-based instrument for maritime autonomous surface ships; 97 187. Recognizes that maritime safety can also be improved through effective port State control, the strengthening of regional arrangements and increased coordination and cooperation among them and increased transparency and information-sharing, making ample use of information systems, such as the International Maritime Organization Global Integrated Shipping Information System,98 including among safety and security sectors; 188. Encourages flag States to take appropriate measures sufficient to achieve or maintain recognition by intergovernmental arrangements that recognize satisfactory flag State performance, including, as appropriate, satisfactory port State control examination results on a sustained basis, with a view to improving quality shipping and furthering flag State implementation of relevant instruments under the International Maritime Organization as well as relevant goals and objectives of the present resolution; 189. Notes with appreciation the important contribution of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities to the improvement and harmonization of marine aids to navigation for the reduction of marine accidents, increased safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment, and in this regard recalls the adoption of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation and calls upon States that have not yet done so to consider becoming party to that Convention to facilitate its entry into force; IX Marine environment and marine resources 190. Emphasizes once again the importance of the implementation of Part XII of the Convention in order to protect and preserve the marine environment and its living marine resources against pollution and physical degradation, and calls upon all States to cooperate and take measures consistent with the Convention, directly or through competent international organizations, for the protection and preservation of the marine environment; 191. Calls upon States to implement the 2030 Agenda, including Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, and recalls that the Goals and targets are integrated and indivisible; 192. Notes the need for actions to support sustainable fisheries and sustainable aquaculture for sufficient, safe and nutritious food, recognizing the central role of healthy oceans in resilient food systems and for achieving the 2030 Agenda; 193. Reiterates, in this regard, the call made in the declaration entitled “Our ocean, our future: call for action” for action to be taken on an urgent basis to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development;99 __________________ 97 See International Maritime Organization, document MSC 105/20. 98 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolutions A.1029(26) and A.1074(28). 99 Resolution 71/312, annex. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 32/57 194. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States committed themselves to protect and restore the health, productivity and resilience of oceans and marine ecosystems, to maintain their biodiversity, enabling their conservation and sustainable use for present and future generations, and to effectively apply an ecosystem approach and the precautionary approach in the management, in accordance with international law, of activities having an impact on the marine environment, to deliver on all three dimensions of sustainable development; 195. Reaffirms paragraph 119 of resolution 61/222 of 20 December 2006 regarding ecosystem approaches and oceans, including the proposed elements of an ecosystem approach, means to achieve implementation of an ecosystem approach and requirements for improved application of an ecosystem approach, and in this regard: (a) Notes that continued environmental degradation in many parts of the world and increasing competing demands require an urgent response and the setting of priorities for management actions aimed at conserving ecosystem integrity; (b) Also notes that ecosystem approaches to ocean management should be focused on managing human activities in order to maintain and, where needed, restore ecosystem health to sustain goods and environmental services, provide social and economic benefits for food security, sustain livelihoods in support of international development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,100 and conserve marine biodiversity; (c) Recalls that States should be guided in the application of ecosystem approaches by a number of existing instruments, in particular the Convention, which sets out the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, and its implementing Agreements, as well as other commitments, such as those contained in the Convention on Biological Diversity101 and the World Summit on Sustainable Development call for the application of an ecosystem approach by 2010, and in this context encourages States to enhance their efforts towards applying such an approach; (d) Encourages States to cooperate and coordinate their efforts and take, individually or jointly, as appropriate, all measures, in conformity with international law, including the Convention and other applicable instruments, to address impacts on marine ecosystems within and beyond areas of national jurisdiction, taking into account the integrity of the ecosystems concerned; 196. Encourages competent organizations and bodies that have not yet done so to incorporate an ecosystem approach into their mandates, as appropriate, in order to address impacts on marine ecosystems; 197. Acknowledges the request by the United Nations Environment Assembly at its second session, in paragraph 6 of its resolution 2/10 of 27 May 2016, to the United Nations Environment Programme to step up its work, including through its Regional Seas Programme, on assisting countries and regions in the application of the ecosystem approach to managing the marine and coastal environment, including through enabling intersectoral cooperation in integrated coastal zone management and marine spatial planning;102 198. Encourages States that have not done so to become parties to regional seas conventions and the protocols thereto addressing the protection and preservation of the marine environment, while noting the role of the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Seas Programme; __________________ 100 Resolution 55/2. 101 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1760, No. 30619. 102 See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-first Session, Supplement No. 25 (A/71/25), annex. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 33/57 23-24917 199. Encourages States, directly or through competent international organizations, to consider the further development and application, as appropriate and consistent with international law, including the Convention, of environmental impact assessment processes covering planned activities under their jurisdiction or control that may cause substantial pollution of or significant and harmful changes to the marine environment, and also encourages the communication of the reports of the results of such assessments to the competent international organizations in accordance with the Convention; 200. Notes with concern the impacts of climate change on the ocean and the cryosphere, including extreme sea level events and sea level rise, to which low-lying islands, in particular small island developing States, coasts and coastal communities are particularly exposed; 201. Also notes with concern the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its successive reports, and in this regard refers in particular to its Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, which was accepted by the Intergovernmental Panel at its fifty-first session on 23 September 2019, and its Sixth Assessment Report, including its synthesis report, which was accepted by the Intergovernmental Panel at its fifty-eighth session on 19 March 2023; 202. Recognizes the importance of improving understanding of the impacts of climate change on oceans and seas, and recalls that, in “The future we want”, States noted that sea level rise and coastal erosion are serious threats for many coastal regions and islands, particularly in developing countries, and in this regard called upon the international community to enhance its efforts to address these challenges, and notes the attention paid to the themes of “The effects of climate change on oceans” and “Sea level rise and its impacts” at the eighteenth and twenty-first meetings, respectively, of the Informal Consultative Process, in 2017 and 2021, which, inter alia, highlighted the urgency of sea level rise for small island developing States and coastal States, including low-lying coastal areas; 203. Takes note of the findings of reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including its Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, that increasing warming amplifies the exposure of small islands, low-lying coastal areas and deltas to the risks associated with sea level rise and extreme sea level events; 204. Acknowledges the ongoing work of the open-ended Study Group of the International Law Commission on the topic “Sea-level rise in relation to international law”,103 and encourages States to share their views on the various aspects of this topic with that Commission; 205. Recalls its decision in resolution 77/276 of 29 March 2023 to request the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change; 206. Welcomes the Paris Agreement104 and its early entry into force on 4 November 2016, encourages all its parties to fully implement the Agreement and parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 105 that have not yet done so to deposit their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, as appropriate, as soon as possible, notes the entry into force of the Doha __________________ 103 Ibid., Seventy-fourth Session, Supplement No. 10 (A/74/10); ibid., Seventy-sixth Session, Supplement No. 10 (A/76/10); ibid., Seventy-seventh Session, Supplement No. 10 (A/77/10); and ibid., Seventy-eighth Session, Supplement No. 10 (A/78/10). 104 See FCCC/CP/2015/10/Add.1, decision 1/CP.21, annex. 105 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1771, No. 30822. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 34/57 amendment106 to the Kyoto Protocol107 on 31 December 2020, and recognizes the importance of raising awareness of the adverse impact of climate change on the marine environment, marine biodiversity and sea level; 207. Notes, in this regard, the decision at the twenty-seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that future ocean and climate change dialogues will, from 2023, be facilitated by two co-facilitators, selected by Parties biennially, who will be responsible for deciding the topics for and conducting the dialogue, in consultation with Parties and observers, and preparing an informal summary report for consideration at the subsequent session of the Conference of the Parties; 208. Welcomes, in this regard, the convening of the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the eighteenth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the fifth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December 2023; 209. Notes with concern the severe impacts on coastal communities of extreme weather events, such as tropical cyclones and associated storm surges, and encourages cooperative actions by relevant United Nations bodies and organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission with the advice of the Joint WMO-IOC Collaborative Board,108 to assist States in improving forecasting, including routine and impact-based forecasting and support to decision-making for emergency management, of such events and its application in multi-hazard early warning systems and risk management under a more integrated approach to addressing the impacts of flooding types from multiple sources and severe weather;109 210. Also notes with concern the approximately 30 per cent increase in the acidity of ocean surface waters since the beginning of the industrial era 110 and the wide range of impacts associated with the continuing and alarming acidification of the world’s oceans, and urges States to make significant efforts to tackle the causes of ocean acidification, recognizing countries’ national circumstances and respective capabilities, and to further study and minimize its impacts, to enhance local, national, regional and global cooperation in this regard, including the sharing of relevant information and the development of worldwide capacity, including in developing countries, to measure ocean acidification, and to take steps to make marine ecosystems healthier and, as a result, more resilient, to the extent possible, to the impacts of ocean acidification; 211. Recognizes the importance of improving understanding of the impacts of acidification on oceans and seas, and recalls that, in “The future we want”, States called for support for initiatives that address ocean acidification and the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems and resources and in this regard reiterated the need to work collectively to prevent further ocean acidification, as well as to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems and of the communities whose livelihoods depend on them, and to support marine scientific research, monitoring __________________ 106 FCCC/KP/CMP/2012/13/Add.1, decision 1/CMP.8. 107 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2303, No. 30822. 108 Established through World Meteorological Organization resolution 9 (Cg-18) and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission resolution XXX-2, which also disbanded the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology. 109 See World Meteorological Organization resolution 15 (Cg-18). 110 As stated in the 2013 report of Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the physical science basis of climate change. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 35/57 23-24917 and observation of ocean acidification and particularly vulnerable ecosystems, including through enhanced international cooperation in this regard; 212. Also recognizes the attention paid to ocean acidification at the fourteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth meetings of the Informal Consultative Process, in 2013, 2017 and 2018, respectively, and commits itself to continue to pay attention to this important issue, including by taking into account the first and second World Ocean Assessments (World Ocean Assessment I and II), the ongoing work of the Ocean Acidification International Coordination Centre of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the scientific cooperation fostered by the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network; 213. Notes the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, notes with concern its findings on the acidification of the oceans and the substantial risks to marine ecosystems, especially polar ecosystems, coral reefs, plankton and other organisms which have a calcareous exoskeleton, or a shell, like crustaceans, and the potentially detrimental consequences for fisheries and livelihoods, as well as the findings of the World Meteorological Organization contained in its annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, and notes its decision to foster collaboration with organizations and institutions that address the carbon budget of the ocean, 111 and in this regard encourages States and competent international organizations and other relevant institutions, individually and in cooperation, to urgently pursue further research on ocean acidification, especially programmes of observation and measurement, noting in particular the continued work under the Convention on Biological Diversity, and to increase national, regional and global efforts to address levels of ocean acidity and the negative impact of such acidity on vulnerable marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs; 214. Encourages States, individually or in collaboration with relevant international organizations and bodies, to enhance their scientific activity to better understand the effects of climate change on the marine environment and marine biodiversity, support continued coordination of scientific work to study and minimize the impacts of ocean acidification and develop ways and means of adaptation, taking into account, as appropriate, the precautionary approach and ecosystem approaches; 215. Notes the vital role that coastal blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses, play in climate adaptation and mitigation through carbon sequestration, and in increasing the resilience of coastal ecosystems to ocean acidification, and the range of other benefits that these ecosystems provide, including sustainable livelihoods, food security and biodiversity conservation, and coastal protection, and encourages States and relevant international institutions and organizations to work collaboratively to protect and restore coastal blue carbon ecosystems; 216. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States noted with concern that the health of oceans and marine biodiversity are negatively affected by marine pollution, including marine debris, especially plastic, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and nitrogen-based compounds, from a number of marine and land-based sources, including shipping and land run-off, and that States committed to take action to reduce the incidence and impacts of such pollution on marine ecosystems, and encourages States, in accordance with the commitment expressed in this regard, and based on collected scientific data, to take action by 2025 to achieve significant reductions in marine debris to prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment; 217. Recognizes the need for better understanding of the sources, amounts, pathways, distribution, trends, nature and impacts of marine debris, especially plastics __________________ 111 See World Meteorological Organization resolution 46 (Cg 17). A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 36/57 and microplastics, and to examine possible measures and best available techniques and environmental practices to prevent its accumulation and minimize its levels in the marine environment, and welcomes in this regard the work conducted under the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection, led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and its reports entitled Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Global Assessment, Guidelines for the Monitoring and Assessment of Plastic Litter in the Ocean, and Sea- based Sources of Marine Litter, and the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme entitled From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution, launched on 21 October 2021; 218. Notes that the UNEP Frontiers 2016 Report identifies microplastics as one of six key emerging environmental issues, further notes that the sixth Global Environment Outlook stresses, inter alia, the urgency of addressing ocean plastic pollution and the proven adverse impacts of microplastics to marine ecosystems, and calls upon States to implement resolution 4/6 on marine plastic litter and microplastics, adopted by the United Nations Environment Assembly of the United Nations Environment Programme at its fourth session, held in Nairobi from 11 to 15 March 2019;112 219. Welcomes the request by the United Nations Environment Assembly, in paragraph 2 of its resolution 4/6, to the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, subject to the availability of resources and benefiting from the work of existing mechanisms, to immediately strengthen scientific and technological knowledge with regard to marine litter, including marine plastic litter and microplastics; 220. Also welcomes the decision of the United Nations Environment Assembly, in paragraph 1 of its resolution 5/14, to convene an intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024,113 and notes that the committee held its first, second and third sessions in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 28 November to 2 December 2022, in Paris from 29 May to 2 June 2023, and in Nairobi from 13 to 19 November 2023, respectively; 221. Further welcomes the activities of relevant United Nations bodies and organizations, in particular the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization and other intergovernmental organizations, to address the sources and impacts of marine debris, including through the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter and the GloLitter Partnerships project, as well as actions relating to marine debris taken under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, 114 in particular the adoption by the Conference of the Parties to that Convention at its twelfth meeting of resolution 12.20 on the management of marine debris, and notes the work of the International Whaling Commission on assessing the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans; 222. Encourages States to further develop partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, including coastal communities, industry and civil society to raise awareness of the extent of the impact of marine debris on the biological diversity, health and productivity of the marine environment and consequent economic loss and to cooperate with other States, Indigenous Peoples, local __________________ 112 UNEP/EA.4/Res.6. 113 See UNEP/EA.5/Res.14. 114 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1651, No. 28395. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 37/57 23-24917 communities, including coastal communities, industry and civil society, as appropriate, on environmentally sound and cost-effective measures to prevent and reduce, as appropriate, marine debris and microplastics in the marine environment, including through strengthened cooperation under the Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter; 223. Recognizes the attention paid to the theme of “Marine debris, plastics and microplastics” at the seventeenth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process in 2016, and urges States to integrate the issue of marine debris into national and, as appropriate, regional strategies dealing with waste management, especially in the coastal zone, ports and maritime industries, including recycling, reuse, reduction and disposal, to consider developing an integrated waste management infrastructure and to encourage the development of appropriate economic incentives with the aim of reducing marine debris to address this issue, including the development of cost- recovery systems that provide an incentive to use port reception facilities and discourage ships from discharging marine debris at sea, and support for measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution from any source, including land-based sources, such as community-based coastal and waterway clean-up and monitoring activities, and encourages States to cooperate regionally and subregionally to identify potential sources and coastal and oceanic locations where marine debris aggregates and to develop and implement joint prevention programmes for marine debris and to develop and implement environmentally sound options for recovery programmes, as well as to raise awareness of the issue of marine debris and the need to consider environmentally sound options for its removal; 224. Notes the activities carried out by organizations at the regional level to develop and implement regional action plans and other joint prevention and recovery programmes for marine debris, and further notes in this regard the revised Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter adopted at the Ministerial Meeting of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission) in October 2021, the amendments to the Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean adopted at the twenty-second Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean (Barcelona Convention) and its Protocols in December 2021 in Antalya, Türkiye, the Second Regional Action Plan for the Prevention and Management of Marine Litter in the North-East Atlantic (2022–2030), adopted at the annual meeting of the OSPAR Commission in Copenhagen on 24 April 2022, and a regional plan for integrated management of marine litter in the South-East Pacific, adopted in April 2022 within the framework of the Protocol for the Protection of the South-East Pacific against Pollution from Land-based Sources115 and the ASEAN Regional Action Plan for Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN Member States (2021–2025) launched by ASEAN in 2021; 225. Also notes the work done under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) framework to share best practices, enable innovative waste management financing and encourage public-private partnerships in order to prevent and reduce marine debris, including the development of a marine debris monitoring decision framework for APEC economies in January 2023; 226. Welcomes the adoption of the Indian Ocean Rim Association Strategic Framework of Action on Marine Debris in the Indian Ocean in November 2022, and encourages the effective implementation by member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association of the Strategic Framework to comprehensively combat marine plastic __________________ 115 Ibid., vol. 1648, No. 28327. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 38/57 debris in the Indian Ocean, with the support of dialogue partners of the Indian Ocean Rim Association and other international and regional organizations; 227. Also welcomes the ongoing work of the members of the Group of 20 on the “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision”, which aims to reduce additional pollution by marine plastic litter to zero by 2050, and calls upon other members of the international community to also share the vision; 228. Notes the release of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Trade and Environment Review 2023: Building a Sustainable and Resilient Ocean Economy beyond 2030116 and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Review of Maritime Transport 2022: Navigating Stormy Waters;117 229. Encourages States that have not yet done so to become parties to international agreements addressing the protection and preservation of the marine environment and its living marine resources against the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens and marine pollution from all sources, including the dumping of wastes and other matter, and other forms of physical degradation, as well as agreements that provide for preparedness for, response to and cooperation on pollution incidents and that include provisions on liability and compensation for damage resulting from marine pollution, and to adopt the necessary measures consistent with international law, including the Convention, aimed at implementing and enforcing the rules contained in those agreements; 230. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States noted the significant threat that alien invasive species pose to marine ecosystems and resources and committed to implement measures to prevent the introduction and manage the adverse environmental impacts of alien invasive species, including, as appropriate, those adopted in the framework of the International Maritime Organization; 231. Encourages States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004,118 and also encourages States to consider implementing the Guidelines for the control and management of ships’ biofouling to minimize the transfer of invasive aquatic species, adopted by the International Maritime Organization in resolution MEPC.207(62) of 15 July 2011; 232. Notes the activities carried out by the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan and further notes in this regard the Mediterranean Strategy for the Prevention of, Preparedness and Response to Marine Pollution from Ships (2022–2031) and the Ballast Water Management Strategy for the Mediterranean Sea (2022–2027), adopted at the twenty-second Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols; 233. Also notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization to prevent pollution from ships, including through the designation of Special Areas under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, 119 as well as through its action plan and strategy to address marine litter from ships, and encourages the __________________ 116 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, document UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2023/1. Available at https://unctad.org/ter2023. 117 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, document UNCTAD/RMT/2022. Available at https://unctad.org/rmt2022. 118 International Maritime Organization, document BWM/CONF/36, annex. 119 International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, annex IV (Regulations for the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships) and annex V (Regulations for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships). Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 39/57 23-24917 International Maritime Organization to continue working on the prevention of pollution from ships; 234. Further notes, in this regard, the theme for the 2023 World Maritime Day, “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”; 235. Notes that the global limit of 0.50 per cent on sulphur in fuel oil under annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships entered into force on 1 January 2020, encourages States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Protocol of 1997 (annex VI – Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, as amended, and encourages the effective implementation of that Protocol; 120 236. Welcomes the designation, at the initiative of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, of the Mediterranean Sea, as a whole, as an Emission Control Area for Sulphur Oxides (Med SOx ECA) pursuant to an amendment to annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, which is expected to enter into force on 1 May 2024 and take effect from 1 May 2025,121 and encourages ratification of that annex across the Mediterranean region as soon as possible; 237. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization and the resolution on International Maritime Organization policies and practices related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships, 122 and in this regard welcomes its adoption of a revised strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships (the 2023 IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships);123 238. Urges States to cooperate in correcting the shortfall in port waste reception facilities in accordance with the action plan to address the inadequacy of port waste reception facilities developed by the International Maritime Organization; 239. Emphasizes the need for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships, notes that the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 124 will enter into force on 26 June 2025, and encourages States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to that Convention; 240. Encourages continued cooperation between the parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal125 and the International Maritime Organization on regulations on the prevention of pollution from ships; 241. Notes the role of the Basel Convention in ensuring that the management of hazardous wastes and other wastes, under the scope of that Convention, including their transboundary movement and disposal, is consistent with the protection of the marine environment; 242. Notes with concern the potential for serious environmental consequences resulting from oil spill incidents or pollution incidents involving hazardous or noxious substances, urges States, consistent with international law, to cooperate, __________________ 120 International Maritime Organization, document MEPC 62/24/Add.1, annex 19, resolution MEPC.203(62). 121 International Maritime Organization, resolution MEPC.361(79). 122 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.963(23). 123 See International Maritime Organization, resolution MEPC.377(80). 124 International Maritime Organization, document SR/CONF/45. 125 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1673, No. 28911. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 40/57 directly or through competent international organizations, and share best practices, in the fields of protection of the marine environment, human health and safety, prevention, emergency response and mitigation, and in this regard encourages the undertaking of and collaboration on scientific research, including marine scientific research, to better understand the consequences of marine oil spills or marine spills involving hazardous or noxious substances; 243. Encourages States, in accordance with international law, including the Convention and other relevant instruments, either bilaterally or regionally, to jointly develop and promote contingency plans for responding to pollution incidents, as well as other incidents that are likely to have significant adverse effects on the marine environment and biodiversity; 244. Encourages States that have not yet done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990,126 and the Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Cooperation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000, of the International Maritime Organization, and in this regard to consider developing and joining regional arrangements to enhance international cooperation for combating major oil and hazardous substances pollution incidents; 245. Encourages States to consider becoming parties to the 2010 Protocol to the 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea;127 246. Recognizes that most of the pollution load of the oceans emanates from land-based activities and affects the most productive areas of the marine environment, and calls upon States, as a matter of priority, to implement the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities; 247. Welcomes the continued work of States, the United Nations Environment Programme and regional organizations in the implementation of the Global Programme of Action, and encourages increased emphasis on the link between fresh water, the coastal zone and marine resources in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development; 248. Expresses its concern regarding the spreading of hypoxic dead zones and harmful algal blooms in oceans as a result of eutrophication fuelled by riverine run- off of fertilizers, sewage outfall and reactive nitrogen resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and resulting in serious consequences for ecosystem functioning, and calls upon States to enhance their efforts to reduce eutrophication, particularly by reducing total nutrient pollution from land-based sources and, to this effect, to continue to cooperate within the framework of relevant international organizations, in particular the Global Programme of Action and the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management and Global Wastewater Initiative, including through capacity-building initiatives and efforts to monitor, via the Global Ocean Observing System, stressors such as harmful algal blooms, areas of hypoxia, sargassum seaweed invasions and jellyfish blooms, to assess their possible linkage to eutrophication and their potential adverse impacts on the marine environment as well as on human health; 249. Encourages States that have not yet done so to take, as soon as possible, the domestic measures necessary to enable them to meet their obligations upon __________________ 126 Ibid., vol. 1891, No. 32194. 127 International Maritime Organization, document LEG/CONF.17/10. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 41/57 23-24917 ratification and, thereafter, to ratify, accept, approve or accede to the Minamata Convention on Mercury;128 250. Calls upon all States to ensure that urban and coastal development projects and related land-reclamation activities are carried out in a responsible manner that protects the marine habitat and environment and mitigates the negative consequences of such activities; 251. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States stressed their concern about the potential environmental impacts of ocean fertilization, recalled in this regard the decisions related to ocean fertilization adopted by the relevant intergovernmental bodies, and resolved to continue addressing ocean fertilization with utmost caution, consistent with the precautionary approach; 252. Encourages States that have not yet done so to become parties to the 1996 Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Protocol); 253. Recalls the resolution of the thirtieth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (the London Convention) and the third Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol, held from 27 to 31 October 2008, on the regulation of ocean fertilization,129 in which the Contracting Parties agreed, inter alia, that the scope of the London Convention and Protocol includes ocean fertilization activities and that, given the present state of knowledge, ocean fertilization activities other than for legitimate scientific research should not be allowed, and that scientific research proposals should be assessed on a case-by-case basis using an assessment framework that was subsequently developed and adopted in 2010 by the Contracting Parties to the London Convention and Protocol, namely, the Assessment Framework for Scientific Research Involving Ocean Fertilization,130 and also agreed that, to this end, such other activities should be considered as contrary to the aims of the London Convention and Protocol and should not currently qualify for any exemption from the definition of dumping in article III, paragraph 1 (b), of the London Convention and article 1, paragraph 4.2, of the London Protocol;131 254. Notes the continued work of the Contracting Parties to the London Convention and Protocol towards a global, transparent and effective control and regulatory mechanism for ocean fertilization activities and other activities that fall within the scope of the London Convention and Protocol and have the potential to cause harm to the marine environment, and notes the resolution adopted by the eighth Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Protocol, held from 14 to 18 October 2013, on the amendment to the London Protocol to regulate the placement of matter for ocean fertilization and other marine geoengineering activities; 132 255. Recalls decision IX/16 C, adopted at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Bonn, Germany, from 19 to 30 May 2008,133 in which the Conference of the Parties, inter alia, bearing in mind the ongoing scientific and legal analysis occurring under the auspices of the London Convention and Protocol, requested parties and urged other Governments, in accordance with the precautionary approach, to ensure that ocean fertilization __________________ 128 UNEP(DTIE)/Hg/CONF/4, annex II. 129 International Maritime Organization, document LC 30/16, annex 6, resolution LC-LP.1 (2008). 130 International Maritime Organization, document LC 32/15 and Corr.1, annex 5, resolution LC- LP.2 (2010). 131 Ibid. 132 International Maritime Organization, document LC 35/15, annex 4, resolution LP.4(8). 133 See United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29, annex I. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 42/57 activities were not carried out until there was an adequate scientific basis on which to justify such activities, including an assessment of associated risks, and that a global, transparent and effective control and regulatory mechanism was in place for those activities, with the exception of small-scale scientific research studies within coastal waters, and stated that such studies should be authorized only if justified by the need to gather specific scientific data, should be subject to a thorough prior assessment of the potential impacts of the research studies on the marine environment, should be strictly controlled and should not be used for generating and selling carbon offsets or for any other commercial purposes, and takes note of decision X/29, adopted at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 29 October 2010, 134 in which the Conference of the Parties requested parties to implement decision IX/16 C; 256. Notes resolution LP.6(17) of the forty-fourth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention and seventeenth Meeting of Contracting Parties to London Protocol amending annexes 1 and 2 to the Protocol to remove sewage sludge from the list and assessment of wastes or other matter that may be considered for dumping, which entered into force on 15 January 2023; 135 X Marine biodiversity 257. Reaffirms its central role relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction; 258. Underscores that the intergovernmental conference established by resolution 72/249 of 24 December 2017 finalized its work as reflected in resolution 77/321 on the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, and invites States and regional economic integration organizations to consider this and its implications for the ocean, in particular, on their efforts toward the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction; 259. Recognizes the abundance and diversity of marine genetic resources and their value in terms of the benefits, goods and services they can provide; 260. Also recognizes the importance of research on marine genetic resources for the purpose of enhancing the scientific understanding, potential use and application, and enhanced management of marine ecosystems; 261. Notes the work under the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity136 and the Convention on Biological Diversity elaborated programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, 137 and, while reiterating the central role of the General Assembly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, notes with appreciation the complementary technical and scientific work done by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity; 262. Welcomes the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its outcomes, including the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,138 its 2030 mission to halt and __________________ 134 See United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/10/27, annex. 135 International Maritime Organization, document LC 44/17, annex 4, resolution LP.6(17). 136 See A/51/312, annex II, decision II/10. 137 United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/7/21, annex, decision VII/5, annex I. 138 See Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity decision 15/4. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 43/57 23-24917 reverse biodiversity loss, and its 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature, and encourages the full and effective implementation of that Framework and its goals and targets relevant to the ocean, and calls upon all States to increase efforts at all levels to achieve those goals and targets; 263. Recognizes the ongoing activities of the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in coordinating capacity-building efforts to support developing States in achieving the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in marine and coastal areas; 264. Reaffirms the need for States, individually or through competent international organizations, to urgently consider ways to integrate and improve, based on the best available scientific information and the precautionary approach and in accordance with the Convention and related agreements and instruments, the management of risks to the marine biodiversity of seamounts, cold water corals, hydrothermal vents and certain other underwater features; 265. Invites parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to implement the voluntary specific workplan on biodiversity in cold water areas within the jurisdictional scope of that Convention, adopted in 2016 by the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to that Convention;139 266. Reiterates its deep concern at the serious adverse impacts on the marine environment and biodiversity, in particular on vulnerable marine ecosystems and their physical and biogenic structure, including coral reefs, cold water habitats, hydrothermal vents and seamounts, of certain human activities, and calls upon States and international organizations to urgently take further action to address, in accordance with international law, destructive practices that have adverse impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystems, including seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold water corals; 267. Calls upon States to strengthen, in a manner consistent with international law, in particular the Convention, the conservation and management of marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and national policies in relation to area-based management tools, including marine protected areas; 268. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States reaffirmed the importance of area-based conservation measures, including marine protected areas, consistent with international law and based on best available scientific information, as a tool for conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components; 269. Reaffirms the need for States to continue and intensify their efforts, directly and through competent international organizations, to develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools for conserving and managing vulnerable marine ecosystems, including the possible establishment of marine protected areas, consistent with international law, as reflected in the Convention, and based on the best scientific information available; 270. Notes the work of States, relevant intergovernmental organizations and bodies, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, in the assessment of scientific information on and compilation of ecological criteria for the identification of marine areas that may require protection, in the light of the objective of the World Summit on Sustainable Development to develop and facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools, such as ecosystem approaches and the establishment of marine __________________ 139 United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/13/25, sect. I, decision XIII/11, annex II. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 44/57 protected areas consistent with international law, as reflected in the Convention, and based on scientific information, including representative networks; 271. Recalls that the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, at its ninth meeting, adopted scientific criteria for identifying ecologically or biologically significant marine areas in need of protection in open-ocean waters and deep-sea habitats and scientific guidance for selecting areas to establish a representative network of marine protected areas, including in open-ocean waters and deep-sea habitats,140 and notes the ongoing work under the Convention on Biological Diversity on the application of the scientific criteria for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas through the organization of a series of regional workshops; 272. Also recalls that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has developed guidance for the identification of vulnerable marine ecosystems and the prevention of significant adverse impacts on them through the International Guidelines for the Management of Deep-Sea Fisheries in the High Seas, and notes its ongoing work to support application of the Guidelines by States and regional fisheries management organizations and to maintain a database of vulnerable marine ecosystems; 273. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization to identify and designate as Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas marine areas which are recognized for their significance in terms of ecological, socioeconomic or scientific criteria and are vulnerable to damage by international shipping activities,141 and welcomes the decision of the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization at its eightieth session to designate the North- Western Mediterranean Sea as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area; 274. Notes with appreciation the work of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative under the Convention on Biological Diversity; 275. Also notes with appreciation the work undertaken by regional seas conventions for the conservation and sustainable management of marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and further notes with appreciation the adoption of the Post-2020 Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region (Post-2020 SAPBIO) and the Post-2020 Regional Strategy for marine and coastal protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures in the Mediterranean, at the twenty- second Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols; 276. Acknowledges the Micronesia Challenge, the Caribbean Challenge Initiative and the Coral Triangle Initiative, which seek to create and link domestic marine protected areas to better facilitate ecosystem approaches, notes the Phoenix Islands Protected Area as a multinational partnership, and reaffirms the need for further international cooperation, coordination and collaboration in support of such initiatives; 277. Recalls that, in “The future we want”, States recognized the significant economic, social and environmental contributions of coral reefs, in particular to islands and other coastal States, as well as the significant vulnerability of coral reefs and mangroves to impacts, including from climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing, destructive fishing practices and pollution, and supported international cooperation with a view to conserving coral reef and mangrove ecosystems and __________________ 140 United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/9/29, annex I, decision IX/20, annexes I and II. 141 International Maritime Organization, Revised Guidelines for the Identification and Designation of Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas, Assembly resolution A.982(24). Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 45/57 23-24917 realizing their social, economic and environmental benefits, as well as facilitating technical collaboration and voluntary information-sharing; 278. Emphasizes the need to mainstream sustainable coral reef management and integrated watershed management into national development strategies, as well as into the activities of relevant United Nations agencies and programmes, international financial institutions and the donor community; 279. Reiterates its support for the International Coral Reef Initiative, notes that the thirty-seventh International Coral Reef Initiative General Meeting was held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, United States of America, from 20 to 23 September 2023, and supports the elaborated programme of work of the Convention on Biological Diversity on marine and coastal biological diversity related to coral reefs under the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity; 280. Encourages States and relevant international institutions to improve efforts to address coral bleaching by, inter alia, improving monitoring to predict and identify bleaching events, supporting and strengthening action taken during such events and improving strategies to manage reefs to support their natural resilience and enhance their ability to withstand other pressures, including ocean acidification; 281. Encourages States to cooperate, directly or through competent international bodies, in exchanging information in the event of accidents involving vessels on coral reefs and in promoting the development of economic assessment techniques for both restoration and non-use values of coral reef systems; 282. Notes that ocean noise has potential significant adverse impacts on living marine resources, affirms the importance of sound scientific studies in addressing this matter, encourages further research, studies and consideration of the impacts of ocean noise on living marine resources, notes the work of States and competent international organizations in that regard, recognizes the attention paid to the theme of anthropogenic underwater noise at the nineteenth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process in 2018, and requests the Division to continue to compile the peer-reviewed scientific studies it receives from Member States and intergovernmental organizations pursuant to paragraph 107 of resolution 61/222 and, as appropriate, to make them, or references and links to them, available on its website; 283. Calls upon States to identify appropriate measures and approaches to assess and address the potential socioeconomic and environmental impacts of anthropogenic underwater noise, taking into account the precautionary approach and ecosystem approaches and the best available scientific information; 284. Encourages further research into, and testing of, technologies to reduce the impact of underwater noise on marine life; 285. Encourages States to continue their work at the International Maritime Organization to enhance understanding of the extent to which improved ship technology, including efficient propeller design, could lead to reduced introduction of underwater noise in the oceans; 286. Notes the approval of revised Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life by the International Maritime Organization in July 2023, the endorsement of an updated workplan, to include a three-year experience-building phase for the revised Guidelines, and the ongoing work to develop a programme of action to further prevent and reduce underwater radiated noise, draws attention to the recent International Maritime Organization workshop, held on 18 and 19 September 2023, on the relation between energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise from ships, which highlighted synergies in addressing both environmental issues, and notes with appreciation the A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 46/57 GloNoise Partnership project within the International Maritime Organization, which will focus on building capacity in developing States to implement the revised Guidelines; 287. Encourages States, acting through the International Maritime Organization or individually, to participate in and share knowledge during the experience-building phase for the revised Guidelines and implement the recommended solutions to address adequately the barriers that have prevented the uptake and implementation of the current Guidelines by the industry; XI Marine science 288. Calls upon States, individually or in collaboration with each other or with competent international organizations and bodies, to continue to strive to improve understanding and knowledge of the oceans and the deep sea, including, in particular, the extent and vulnerability of deep sea biodiversity and ecosystems, by increasing their marine scientific research activities in accordance with the Convention; 289. Encourages, in that regard, relevant international organizations and other donors to consider supporting the Endowment Fund of the Authority in order to promote the conduct of collaborative marine scientific research in the international seabed area by supporting the participation of qualified scientists and technical personnel from developing countries in relevant programmes, initiatives and activities; 290. Notes with concern that human-related threats, such as marine debris, ship strikes, underwater noise, persistent contaminants, coastal development activities, oil spills and abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear, together or individually, may have a severe impact on marine life, including at its higher trophic levels, and calls upon States and competent international organizations to cooperate and coordinate their research efforts in this regard so as to prevent and reduce those impacts and preserve the integrity of the whole marine ecosystem, while fully respecting the mandates of relevant international organizations; 291. Invites all relevant organizations, funds, programmes and bodies within the United Nations system, in consultation with interested States, to coordinate relevant activities with regional and national marine scientific and technological centres in small island developing States, as appropriate, to ensure the more effective achievement of their objectives in accordance with relevant United Nations small island developing States development programmes and strategies; 292. Welcomes the resolution adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at its twenty-eighth session, held in Paris from 18 to 25 June 2015, regarding the adoption of the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition as an important catalyst project linking Indian Ocean processes to the global ocean and atmosphere, officially launched in Goa, India, on 4 December 2015 for an initial period of five years and continued to at least 2025, invites States to participate in this initiative, and notes that two nodes of the Second International Indian Ocean Expedition Joint Project Office have been established to coordinate operations of the expedition in Perth, Australia, and Hyderabad, India; 293. Notes with appreciation the work of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, with the advice of the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea, on the development of procedures for the implementation of Parts XIII and XIV of the Convention; 294. Notes decision A-32/4.4 of the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, in which it recognized that the timely and unrestricted international exchange of oceanographic data is essential for the efficient acquisition, Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 47/57 23-24917 integration and use of ocean observations gathered by the countries of the world for a wide variety of purposes, as well as for the advancement of scientific understanding, and in which it adopted the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Data Policy and Terms of Use (2023), which outlines the requirements with respect to sharing, access, preservation and attribution to facilitate the broad use and reuse of ocean metadata, data and products;142 295. Also notes that the depth of a significant percentage of the world’s oceans, seas and waterways has yet to be measured directly and that bathymetric knowledge underpins the safe, sustainable and cost-effective execution of almost every human activity in, on or under the sea; 296. Welcomes the work of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans under the International Hydrographic Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and, in particular, the progress made, in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation, under the Seabed 2030 project towards mapping 100 per cent of the ocean floor by 2030; 297. Encourages Member States to consider contributing to mechanisms that encourage the widest possible availability of all bathymetric data, so as to support the sustainable development, management and governance of the marine environment; 298. Notes with appreciation the contribution to marine biodiversity research of the Ocean Biodiversity Information System, a free and open-access data holding and sharing facility, hosted by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; 299. Welcomes the increasing attention being focused on oceans as a potential source of renewable energy, and notes in this regard the summary of discussions of the Informal Consultative Process at its thirteenth meeting, in 2012; 143 300. Stresses the importance of the environmental impact assessment process for ocean-based renewable energy projects; 301. Also stresses the importance of increasing the scientific understanding of the oceans-atmosphere interface, including through participation in ocean observing programmes and geographic information systems, such as the Global Ocean Observing System, sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological Organization and the International Science Council, particularly considering their role in monitoring and forecasting climate change and variability, in supporting Earth system prediction144 and in the establishment and operation of tsunami warning systems; 302. Notes the decision adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at its thirty-second session to establish an ad hoc intersessional Working Group on Ocean Observations in Areas under National Jurisdiction;145 303. Welcomes the progress made by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Member States towards the establishment and operation of regional and national tsunami warning and mitigation systems, also welcomes the continued collaboration of the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations in this effort, further welcomes the development and recent dissemination of the new Enhanced Tsunami Products for the Pacific Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System __________________ 142 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/A-32/Decisions, decision A-32/4.4. 143 See A/67/120. 144 See World Meteorological Organization resolution 47 (Cg-18). 145 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/A-32/Decisions, decision A-32/4.8.2. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 48/57 and the development of Enhanced Tsunami Products for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, which will assist countries in the Pacific and the Caribbean to assess tsunami threats and issue warnings, and encourages Member States to establish and sustain their national warning and mitigation systems, within a global, ocean-related multi-hazard approach, as necessary, to reduce loss of life and damage to national economies and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities to natural disasters, and welcomes the establishment of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Tsunami Programme under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030), its 10-Year Research, Development and Implementation Plan, including its Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme and Tsunami Ready Coalition, aimed at building resilient communities through awareness and preparedness strategies that will protect life, livelihoods and property from tsunamis in different regions; 304. Stresses the need for continued efforts in developing mitigation and preparedness measures for natural disasters, particularly following such tsunami events as that on 11 March 2011 in Japan, those on 28 September and 22 December 2018 in Indonesia, and that on 15 January 2022 following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption in Tonga; 305. Notes the decision adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at its thirty-second session that warning systems for tsunamis generated by volcanoes should be coordinated and considered as part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Global Tsunami and other Ocean-related Hazards Warning and Mitigation System, and also, when possible, as part of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems;146 306. Takes note of the sixth Global Environment Outlook, entitled Healthy Planet, Healthy People, approved on 24 January 2019, which, inter alia, identifies the principal drivers of change facing oceans and coasts and their impacts; 307. Recognizes that ocean data buoys deployed and operated in accordance with international law are critical for improving understanding of climate and ecosystems, forecasting weather, and saving lives by detecting tsunamis, reiterates its serious concern at intentional and unintentional damage to such buoys, and urges States to take necessary action and to cooperate in relevant organizations, including the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to address damage to ocean data buoys deployed and operated in accordance with international law, including through education and outreach about the importance and purpose of these buoys and by strengthening these buoys against such damage and increasing reporting of such damage; 308. Recognizes the attention paid to the themes of ocean science and ocean observing at the twentieth and twenty-second meetings, respectively, of the Informal Consultative Process in 2019 and 2022, and welcomes the steps taken by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to coordinate the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, a core objective of which is to improve the scientific knowledge base through capacity- building for developing countries with limited capacity and capabilities, in particular small island developing States, least developed countries and landlocked developing countries, on the basis of its implementation plan, in consultation with Member States, specialized agencies, funds, programmes and bodies of the United Nations, as __________________ 146 Ibid., decision A-32/3.4.1. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 49/57 23-24917 well as other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and relevant stakeholders; 309. Takes note of resolutions EC-55/1 of the Executive Council and A-32/3 of the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, in which these bodies took note of the establishment of Decade coordinating mechanisms; 147 310. Also takes note of the development of the Ocean Decade Vision 2030 process aimed at enhancing the strategic delivery of the Decade under its 10 Decade Challenges;148 311. Requests that the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission continue to regularly consult with, and report to, Member States on the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and its implementation; 312. Invites the Secretary-General to continue to inform the General Assembly on the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development through his report on oceans and the law of the sea, on the basis of information to be provided by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission; 313. Invites UN-Oceans and its participants to continue to collaborate with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission on the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and in this regard notes the participation of UN-Oceans members in the Decade Advisory Board, as well as the adoption by the Authority of the action plan in support of the Decade;149 XII Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects 314. Reiterates the need to strengthen the regular scientific assessment of the state of the marine environment in order to enhance the scientific basis for policymaking; 315. Reaffirms the principles guiding the Regular Process and its objective and scope, recalls the crucial importance of the Regular Process and its possible inputs for ongoing ocean-related intergovernmental processes, and notes the importance of continuing support and cooperation between the activities of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and those of the Regular Process, and the development of a regulatory regime to organize and control all activities of exploration for, and exploitation of, the resources of the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction by the International Seabed Authority; 316. Also reaffirms the importance of ensuring that assessments, such as those included in the Global Sustainable Development Report and those prepared under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and the Regular Process, support one another and avoid unnecessary duplication, and recalls the importance of compatibility and synergies between such assessments and assessments at the regional level; 317. Further reaffirms that capacity-building is one of the core objectives of the Regular Process, and recalls that, during the third cycle (2021–2025), a coherent __________________ 147 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/EC-55/Decisions, resolution EC-55/1, and document IOC/A-32/Decisions, resolution A-32/3. 148 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/A-32/Decisions, resolution A-32/3. 149 See ISBA/26/A/17. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 50/57 programme on capacity-building will be carried out with the aim to develop the capacities of States in strengthening the ocean science-policy interface at the national, regional and global levels; 318. Recalls that the Regular Process shall be overseen and guided by the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole, and that the Ad Hoc Working Group shall facilitate the delivery of the outputs of the third cycle of the Regular Process as outlined in the programme of work for the third cycle, and endorses the recommendations adopted by the Ad Hoc Working Group at its nineteenth meeting on the progress in the implementation of the programme of work for the third cycle; 319. Recognizes the importance of raising awareness of the second World Ocean Assessment and the Regular Process, and welcomes the enhancement of the social media campaign on the Assessment and the wider awareness-raising campaign of the Regular Process; 320. Recognizes with appreciation the role of the Co-Chairs and the Bureau of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole in putting into practice the decisions and guidance of the Ad Hoc Working Group during the intersessional period, requests the Bureau to continue to provide oversight of the delivery of the programme of work for the third cycle of the Regular Process, and recognizes the support provided by the secretariat in that regard; 321. Welcomes the designation by States of national focal points, and invites States that have not yet done so to designate national focal points to facilitate the implementation of the programme of work for the third cycle of the Regular Process and beyond; 322. Also welcomes the designation of focal points for relevant intergovernmental organizations, and invites the secretariats of relevant United Nations specialized agencies, programmes, funds and bodies and the secretariats of related organizations and conventions that have not yet done so to designate focal points to facilitate the implementation of the programme of work for the third cycle of the Regular Process and beyond; 323. Invites the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Maritime Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Meteorological Organization and relevant United Nations system organizations, bodies, funds and programmes, as appropriate, to assist in the implementation of the third cycle of the Regular Process; 324. Invites relevant intergovernmental organizations to contribute, as appropriate, to the activities of the third cycle of the Regular Process; 325. Welcomes the constitution of the Group of Experts for the third cycle of the Regular Process, which currently consists of 21 members, and notes with appreciation the work being carried out by the members of the Group of Experts in the implementation of the programme of work for the third cycle; 326. Recalls that the Group of Experts for the third cycle of the Regular Process shall comprise a maximum of 25 experts, with no more than five experts per regional group, and encourages regional groups that have appointed fewer than five experts to continue to appoint experts to the Group of Experts, taking into account the need to ensure adequate expertise, gender balance and geographical distribution; 327. Endorses the documents developed by the Group of Experts to support the development of the third World Ocean Assessment adopted by the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole at its eighteenth meeting; Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 51/57 23-24917 328. Encourages the appointment of experts to the Pool of Experts in accordance with the mechanism, and requests the Bureau of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole to provide oversight of the establishment of the Pool of Experts; 329. Welcomes the regional workshops in support of the third cycle of the Regular Process, held in Santos, Brazil, in May 2023, in Kingston in June 2023, in Mahe, Seychelles, in July–August 2023, in Lisbon in September 2023 and in New York in November 2023, and the capacity-building symposium to be held in Paris in December 2023, which are being held to support the development of the third World Ocean Assessment and strengthen the ocean science-policy interface; 330. Encourages efforts to ensure completion of the zero draft of the third World Ocean Assessment for review by Member States in 2024 as outlined in the programme of work for the third cycle of the Regular Process; 331. Urges States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make financial contributions to the voluntary trust fund, as well as the special scholarship fund, and to make other contributions to the Regular Process; 332. Requests the Secretary-General to convene, in 2024, up to two meetings of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Whole of no more than two days of total duration each; XIII Regional cooperation 333. Notes with appreciation efforts and initiatives at the regional level, in various regions, to further the implementation of the Convention and to respond, including through capacity-building, to issues related to maritime safety and security, the conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources, the protection and preservation of the marine environment and the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity; 334. Invites States and international organizations to enhance their cooperation to better protect the marine environment; 335. Notes the Caribbean-focused Assistance Fund, which is intended to facilitate, mainly through technical assistance, the voluntary undertaking of maritime delimitation negotiations between Caribbean States, notes once again the Fund for Peace: Peaceful Settlement of Territorial Disputes, established by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in 2000 as a primary mechanism, given its broader regional scope, for the prevention and resolution of pending territorial, land border and maritime boundary disputes, and calls upon States and others in a position to do so to contribute to these funds; 336. Recalls the outcome document of the third International Conference on Small Island Developing States, the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway150 and the modalities set forth for strengthened action on a range of small island developing States challenges and priorities, including challenges related to the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, and the preservation of the marine environment, and in this regard welcomes the convening of the high-level midterm review of the SAMOA Pathway in September 2019 and the adoption of its political declaration,151 which notes the importance of oceans, seas and marine resources to small island developing States and acknowledges their efforts to develop __________________ 150 Resolution 69/15, annex. 151 Resolution 74/3. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 52/57 and implement strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean and its resources, and reaffirms its commitment to work with small island developing States towards the full implementation of the SAMOA Pathway to ensure its success; 337. Encourages States and scientific communities to continue to strengthen their cooperation on new knowledge about the linkages between changes in the global climate system and the environment of polar regions; 338. Acknowledges the important contributions to scientific understanding of the marine environment and its resources, as well as the scientific advice for their sustainable use, provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea in its wide-ranging cooperation with organizations at the regional level under the Convention for the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, 1964, 152 and by the North Pacific Marine Science Organization under the Convention for a North Pacific Marine Science Organization, 1992; 339. Welcomes regional cooperation, and in this regard notes the Pacific Oceanscape Framework as an initiative to enhance cooperation among coastal States in the Pacific island region to foster marine conservation and sustainable development; 340. Recalls, in this regard, the endorsement of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders on 6 August 2021 at the fifty-first Pacific Islands Forum of a declaration on preserving maritime zones in the face of climate change-related sea level rise, and of the Heads of State and Government of the Alliance of Small Island States on 22 September 2021 of the Leaders’ Declaration addressing, inter alia, the relationship between climate change-related sea level rise and Forum and Alliance members’ maritime zones in response to long-standing concerns in the face of climate change- related sea level rise; 341. Notes the endorsement of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders on 9 November 2023 at the fifty-second Pacific Islands Forum of a declaration on the continuity of statehood and the protection of persons in the face of climate change- related sea level rise addressing, inter alia, the relationship between climate change- related sea level rise and Forum members’ statehood, sovereignty and protection of persons; 342. Notes with appreciation the various cooperative efforts displayed by States at the regional and subregional levels, and in this regard welcomes initiatives such as the Integrated Assessment and Management of the Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem; 343. Acknowledges the cooperation among the members of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic and the principles enshrined under that initiative, and notes the adoption of the Mindelo Declaration and the Mindelo Plan of Action during the eighth ministerial meeting of the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic, held in Cabo Verde on 17 and 18 April 2023; 344. Recalls the decision of the Assembly of the African Union in January 2015 to adopt Agenda 2063, also recalls that the African Union launched the Decade of African Seas and Oceans (2015–2025), and notes that the African Day of the Seas and Oceans is celebrated annually on 25 July; 345. Also recalls the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024 adopted by the second United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Vienna from 3 to 5 November 2014,153 following the comprehensive 10-year review of the implementation of the __________________ 152 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 652, No. 9344. 153 Resolution 69/137, annex II. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 53/57 23-24917 Almaty Programme of Action: Addressing the Special Needs of Landlocked Developing Countries within a New Global Framework for Transit Transport Cooperation for Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries, 154 notes the need for cooperation to address the development needs and challenges faced by landlocked developing countries associated with, inter alia, their lack of direct territorial access to the sea, remoteness and isolation from world markets, in line with the objectives of the Vienna Programme of Action, and recalls the adoption of the road map for the accelerated implementation of the Vienna Programme of Action in the remaining five years; 346. Notes the adoption of the Leaders’ Declaration on the Solidarity of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum at the convening of the first High-Level Meeting of the Archipelagic and Island States Forum in Bali, Indonesia, on 11 October 2023, that expresses the commitment of archipelagic and island nations to collaborate in addressing common maritime and ocean issues, among others, climate change, sustainable ocean-based economy, and the marine environment, to achieve sustainability of the ocean for future generations; 347. Also notes the efforts of the Sargasso Sea Commission, led by the Government of Bermuda, to raise awareness of the ecological significance of the Sargasso Sea; 348. Further notes the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation, negotiated under the auspices of the Arctic Council, and notes that its implementation will increase the development of scientific knowledge about the region; 349. Notes the cooperation between the OSPAR Commission established by the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic155 and the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission; 350. Also notes the decision adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at its thirty-second session to establish the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Subcommission for the Central Indian Ocean with the purpose of promoting international cooperation and coordinating programmes in research, services, and capacity development; 156 XIV Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea 351. Welcomes the report of the Co-Chairs on the work of the Informal Consultative Process at its twenty-third meeting, which focused on the theme of new maritime technologies: challenges and opportunities; 352. Notes the discussions at the twenty-third meeting of the Informal Consultative Process, from 5 to 9 June 2023, on the theme of new maritime technologies: challenges and opportunities, during which delegations and other participants, inter alia, highlighted the potential benefits of new maritime technologies in addressing threats facing the ocean, facilitating ocean observing, building resilient oceans and coastal communities, mitigating the impacts of climate change, efforts towards reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of the shipping sector, __________________ 154 Report of the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and Donor Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 28 and 29 August 2003 (A/CONF.202/3), annex I. 155 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 2354, No. 42279. 156 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/A-32/Decisions, resolution A-32/1. A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 54/57 countering pollution, developing renewable energy sources, improving data collection to enhance marine science and achieve the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and for meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal 14, noted challenges arising with respect to the introduction and use of such technologies, and recognized the vital role of national, regional and global cooperation in ensuring that all States can benefit from the sustainable development of the ocean, including the crucial importance of targeted capacity-building to enable developing States to benefit from the opportunities presented by these new technologies; 353. Recognizes the role of the Informal Consultative Process as a unique forum for comprehensive discussions on issues related to oceans and the law of the sea, consistent with the framework provided by the Convention and chapter 17 of Agenda 21, and in integrating knowledge, the exchange of opinions among multiple stakeholders and coordination among competent agencies, and enhancing awareness of topics, including emerging issues, while promoting the three pillars of sustainable development; 354. Welcomes the work of the Informal Consultative Process and its contribution to improving coordination and cooperation between States and strengthening the annual debate of the General Assembly on oceans and the law of the sea by effectively drawing attention to key issues and current trends, and also welcomes efforts to improve and focus such work; 355. Recalls the need to strengthen and improve the efficiency of the Informal Consultative Process, and encourages States, intergovernmental organizations and programmes to provide guidance to the Co-Chairs to this effect, particularly before and during the preparatory meeting for the Informal Consultative Process; 356. Decides to continue the Informal Consultative Process for the next four years, in accordance with resolution 54/33, with a further review of its effectiveness at its eighty-second session; 357. Requests the Secretary-General to convene, in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 54/33, the twenty-fourth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process, in New York for eight meetings during the week of 18 to 21 June 2024, and to convene the twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh meetings for eight meetings each in 2025, 2026 and 2027, respectively, to provide it with the facilities necessary for the performance of its work, including documentation, to also convene informal preparatory meetings, and to arrange for support to be provided by the Division, in cooperation with other relevant parts of the Secretariat, as appropriate; 358. Also requests the Secretary-General to provide support for the convening of a twenty-fifth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process for eight meetings in 2025, in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 54/33, with the facilities necessary for the performance of its work, including documentation; 359. Expresses its continued serious concern regarding the lack of resources available in the voluntary trust fund established pursuant to resolution 55/7 for the purpose of assisting developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing States, in attending the meetings of the Informal Consultative Process, and urges States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make additional contributions to the trust fund; 360. Decides that those representatives from developing countries who are invited by the Co-Chairs, in consultation with Governments, to make presentations Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 55/57 23-24917 during the meetings of the Informal Consultative Process shall receive priority consideration in the disbursement of funds from the voluntary trust fund established pursuant to resolution 55/7 in order to cover their costs of travel and daily subsistence allowance; 361. Also decides that, in its deliberations on the report of the Secretary- General on oceans and the law of the sea, the Informal Consultative Process shall focus its discussions at its twenty-fourth meeting, in 2024, on the theme “The ocean as a source of sustainable food”, and at its twenty-sixth meeting, in 2026, on the theme “Marine ecosystem restoration”; XV Coordination and cooperation 362. Encourages States to work closely with and through international organizations, funds and programmes, as well as the specialized agencies of the United Nations system and relevant international conventions, to identify emerging areas of focus for improved coordination and cooperation and how best to address these issues; 363. Expresses its concern at the desecration of graves at sea and the looting of wrecks of ships constituting such graves, and calls upon States to cooperate, as appropriate, to prevent the looting and desecration of wrecks of ships constituting graves in order to ensure that proper respect is given to all human remains located in maritime waters, consistent with international law, including, as appropriate, the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, among parties thereto; 364. Encourages bodies established by the Convention to strengthen coordination and cooperation, as appropriate, in fulfilling their respective mandates; 365. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the attention of heads of intergovernmental organizations, the specialized agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations engaged in activities relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, as well as funding institutions, and underlines the importance of their constructive and timely input for the report of the Secretary-General on oceans and the law of the sea and of their participation in relevant meetings and processes; 366. Welcomes the work done by the secretariats of relevant United Nations specialized agencies, programmes, funds and bodies and the secretariats of related organizations and conventions to enhance inter-agency coordination and cooperation on ocean issues, including, where appropriate, through UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination mechanism on ocean and coastal issues within the United Nations system; 367. Recognizes the work undertaken by UN-Oceans, under the revised terms of reference for the work of UN-Oceans, and with the United Nations Legal Counsel/the Division as the focal point of UN-Oceans, requests the focal point to maintain the UN- Oceans website, and in this regard urges States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make financial earmarked contributions to the trust fund established by the Secretary-General for the Office of Legal Affairs to support the promotion of international law, and authorizes the Secretary-General to disburse funds from such contributions to that trust fund for the purposes of the maintenance of the UN-Oceans website, including an online searchable database for an inventory of the mandates of UN-Oceans members and priorities approved by the respective governing bodies of the participating organizations of UN-Oceans, with a view to A/RES/78/69 Oceans and the law of the sea 23-24917 56/57 identifying possible areas of collaboration and synergy, as well as for travel associated with the performance of the functions of the focal point; XVI Activities of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea 368. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the annual reports on oceans and the law of the sea, prepared by the Division, as well as for the other activities of the Division, which reflect the high standard of assistance provided to Member States by the Division; 369. Notes with satisfaction the fifteenth observance by the United Nations of World Oceans Day, in 2023,157 recognizes with appreciation the efforts deployed by the Division in this regard, invites States, international financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to support the future observance of World Oceans Day, including by making voluntary financial or other contributions, and invites the Division to continue to promote and facilitate international cooperation on the law of the sea and ocean affairs in the context of the future observance of World Oceans Day, as well as through its participation in other events; 370. Notes the continuously growing responsibilities and functions entrusted to the Secretary-General in the Convention and in the related resolutions of the General Assembly, and in this context the unprecedented substantial increase in activities of the Division, in particular in view of the growing number of requests to the Division for additional outputs and servicing of meetings, the provision of technical assistance and capacity-building, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure the allocation of appropriate resources to the Division for the performance of its activities under the approved budget for the Organization; 371. Requests the Secretary-General to continue the publication activities of the Division, and in particular to publish a combined edition of the Convention, the Part XI Agreement, the Fish Stocks Agreement; and the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction 158 and publish the Law of the Sea Bulletin; XVII Seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly 372. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare reports for consideration by the General Assembly at its seventy-ninth session, namely a report on developments and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including the implementation of the present resolution, in accordance with resolutions 49/28 of 6 December 1994, 52/26 of 26 November 1997 and 54/33, and a report on the theme that is the focus of the twenty-fourth meeting of the Informal Consultative Process; 373. Emphasizes the critical role of the annual reports of the Secretary-General, which integrate information on developments relating to the implementation of the Convention and the work of the Organization, its specialized agencies and other institutions in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea at the global and regional levels, and as a result constitute the basis for the annual consideration and review of developments relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea by the General Assembly as the global institution having the competence to undertake such a review; __________________ 157 By its resolution 63/111, the General Assembly designated 8 June as World Oceans Day. 158 This replaces the publication on marine geospatial information management. Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/78/69 57/57 23-24917 374. Notes that the reports referred to in paragraph 372 above will also be submitted to States Parties pursuant to article 319 of the Convention regarding issues of a general nature that have arisen with respect to the Convention; 375. Also notes the desire to further improve the efficiency of and effective participation of delegations in the informal consultations concerning the annual General Assembly resolution on oceans and the law of the sea, decides that the period of the informal consultations on that resolution should not exceed a maximum of nine days in total and that the consultations should be scheduled in such a way that the Division has sufficient time to produce the report on developments and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea referred to in paragraph 372 above, requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide support to the consultations through the Division, and encourages States to submit proposals for the resolution to the Coordinator of the informal consultations no later than one week before the first day of the first round of the informal consultations; 376. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventy-ninth session the item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”. 44th plenary meeting 5 December 2023

UN Project. “A/RES/78/69.” UN Project, https://un-project.org/votes/resolution/A-RES-78-69/. Accessed .

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