Resources of the sea

XXI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE
2172. Resources of the sea

The General Assembly, Recognizing the need for a greater knowledge of the oceans and of the opportunities available for the utilization of their resources, living and mineral, Realizing that the effective exploitation and development of these resources can raise the economic level of peoples throughout the world, and in particular of the developing countries', Taking into account with appreciation the activities in the field of resources of the sea at present being undertaken by the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and, in particular, its Inter-governmental Oceanographic Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and, in particular, its Committee on Fisheries, the World Meteorological Organization, the Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to Development, other intergovernmental organizations concerned, various Governments, universities, scientific and technological institutions and other interested organizations, Considering the need to maximize international co-operative efforts for the further development of marine science and technology and to avoid duplication or overlapping of efforts in this field,

1. Endorses Economic and Social Council resolution 1112 (XL) of 7 March 1966 requesting the Secretary-General to make a survey of the present state of knowledge of the resources of the sea beyond the continental shelf, excluding fish, and of the techniques for exploiting these resources;

2. Requests the Secretary-General in co-operation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and, in particular, its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and, in particular, its Committee on Fisheries, the World Meteorological Organization, other intergovernmental organizations concerned, and the Governments of interested Member States, and utilizing, inter alia, such voluntary services as may be offered-to undertake, in addition to the survey requested by the Economic and Social Council, a comprehensive survey of activities in marine science and technology, including that relating to mineral resources development, undertaken by member's of the United Nations family of organizations, various Member States and intergovernmental organizations concerned, and by universities, scientific and technological institutions and other interested organizations;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and, in particular, its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and, in particular, its Committee on Fisheries and in the light of the above-mentioned comprehensive survey, to formulate proposals for:

(a) Ensuring the most effective arrangements for an expanded programme of international co-operation to assist in a better understanding of the marine environment through science and in the exploitation and development of marine resources, with due regard to the conservation of fish stocks;

(b) Initiating and strengthening marine education and training programmes, bearing in mind the close interrelationship between marine and other sciences;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to set up a small group of experts to be selected, as far as possible, from the specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations concerned, to assist him in the preparation of the comprehensive survey called for in paragraph 2 above and in the formulation of the proposals referred to in paragraph 3 above;

5. Requests that the survey and proposals prepared by the Secretary-General be submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to Development for its comments;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to submit his survey and proposals, together with the comments of the Advisory Committee, to the General Assembly at its twenty-third session, through the Economic and Social Council.

1485th plenary meeting,
6 December 1966.