UN General Assembly
1958

154. It has been the policy of the Icelandic Government to protect the resources of the sea as far as possible through the rules of international law. For years we tried, through international co-operation, to safeguard these interests. Thus, in 1949 — almost ten years ago — we suggested to the General Assembly that the International Law Commission should be entrusted with the task of formulating rules concerning the extent of coastal jurisdiction. By this proposal we hoped to achieve, within a relatively short period of time, a solution to this problem so vital to the future existence of my country.