Law of the sea

 

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Law of the sea

  The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 37/66 of 3 December 1982 and 38/59 A of 14 December 1983, regarding the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, Taking note of the increasing and overwhelming support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as evidenced, inter alia, by the one hundred and fifty-nine signatures and fourteen ratifications as at the closing of the Convention for signature, Seriously concerned at any attempt to undermine the Convention and the related resolutions of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, 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 related resolutions adopted therewith and to refrain from any action to apply their provisions selectively, in a manner inconsistent with their object and purpose, Noting the increasing needs of countries, especially developing countries, for information, advice and assistance in the implementation of the Convention and 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, Noting also that the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has decided to hold its third regular session at Kingston from 11 March to 4 April 1985 and its summer meeting in 1985 at Geneva, Kingston or New York as it may decide, Taking note also of activities carried out in 1984 under the major programme on marine affairs, set forth in chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period 1984-1989, in accordance with the report of the Secretary-General as approved in General Assembly resolution 38/59 A, 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 8 of General Assembly resolution 38/59 A,

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;

3. Calls upon all States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to 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 related resolutions adopted therewith;

5. Calls upon States to desist from taking actions which undermine the Convention or defeat its object and purpose;

6. Expresses its appreciation for the effective execution by the Secretary- General of the central programme in law of the sea affairs under chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period 1984-1989;

7. Further expresses its appreciation for the report of the Secretary-

General in response to General Assembly resolution 38/59 A and requests the Secretary-General to continue the activities outlined therein, 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, including the implementation of resolution II of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea;

8. Approves the programme of meetings of the Preparatory Commission for

1985;

9. Calls upon the Secretary-General to continue to assist States in the implementation of the Convention and in the development of a consistent and uniform approach to the new legal regime thereunder, as well as in their national, subregional and regional efforts towards the full realization of the benefits therefrom and invites the agencies and bodies within the United Nations system to co-operate and lend assistance in these endeavours;

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

11. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fortieth session the item entitled "Law of the sea".