Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea.

 

Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea

A The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 37/66 of 3 December 1982 regarding the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, Noting that the Conference was concluded at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 10 December 1982, that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature and that one hundred and nineteen signatures had been affixed to it on that date, Taking further note of the increasing and overwhelming support for the Convention, as evidenced, inter alia, by the one hundred and thirty-two signatures and nine ratifications by States and by the United Nations Council for Namibia, on behalf of Namibia, as at 31 October 1983, Concerned at any attempt to undermine the Convention and its related resolutions, Recognizing that, as stated in the third preambular paragraph of the Convention, the problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a whole, Convinced that it is important to safeguard the unified character of the Convention and its related resolutions and to refrain from any action to apply their provisions selectively, in a manner inconsistent with their objectives and purposes, Noting the increasing needs of countries, especially developing countries, for information, advice and assistance in their developmental process for the full realization of the benefits of the comprehensive legal regime established by the Convention, as also recognized by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1983/48 of 28 July 1983, Recalling that the Convention provides that the seat of the International Sea-Bed Authority shall be in Jamaica and the seat of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea shall be at Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, Recalling also that in paragraph 12 of Conference resolution I of 30 April 1982, establishing the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, it is expressly provided that the Commission shall meet at the seat of the Authority if facilities are available and as often as necessary for the expeditious exercise of its functions, Noting also that the Preparatory Commission held its first session at Kingston, at which it elected its Bureau, concluded the elaboration of its organizational framework by allocating functions between the Plenary and Special Commissions and requested the secretariat to prepare background information and working papers in respect of the work allocated to these organs, and decided, inter alia, to hold its next regular session at Kingston from 19 March to 13 April 1984 and a session for its working groups during the summer of 1984, in New York or Geneva, as it may decide, Recalling its approval of the assumption by the Secretary-General of the responsibilities entrusted to him under the Convention and its related resolutions and the approval of the stationing of an adequate number of secretariat staff in Jamaica for the purpose of servicing the Preparatory Commission, as required by its functions and programme of work, Taking note also of the major programme on marine affairs, set forth in chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period 1984-1989, Recalling the extensive functions entrusted to the Preparatory Commission, including the administration of the scheme governing preparatory investments in pioneer activities relating to polymetallic nodules, Recalling its approval of the financing of the expenses of the Preparatory Commission from the regular budget of the United Nations, Taking special note of the report of the Secretary-General prepared in response to paragraph 10 of General Assembly resolution 37/66,

1. Recalls the historic significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as an important contribution to the maintenance of peace, justice and progress for all peoples of the world;

2. Expresses its satisfaction at the large number of signatures affixed to the Convention as well as at the number of ratifications deposited with the Secretary-General during the year following the opening of the Convention for signature;

3. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider signing and ratifying the Convention at the earliest possible date to allow the effective entry into force of the new legal regime for the uses of the sea and its resources;

4. Calls upon all States to safeguard the unified character of the Convention and its related resolutions;

5. Appeals to all States to refrain from taking any action directed at undermining the Convention or defeating its objectives and purposes;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to accord due consideration to the activities outlined in his report, special emphasis being placed on the work of the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea;

7. Expresses its appreciation for the report of the Secretary-General and approves the recommendations contained therein;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session on developments relating to the Convention and on the implementation of the present resolution;

9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-ninth session an item entitled "Law of the Sea".

B The General Assembly Pays tribute to His Excellency Mr. Bernardo Zuleta, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Law of the Sea, recently deceased, whose services to the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea were decisive for the elaboration of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and for the progressive development of international law and international co-operation.