UN General Assembly
2002

years, particularly as it relates to the Pacific. Pacific island Governments recently concluded work on a regional ocean policy, and they have developed a number of positive new initiatives on fisheries and other related matters. Yet those positive accomplishments in ocean policy are threatened by continued violation of our sovereignty in the form of illegal fishing and trans-shipment of hazardous materials. Only a few weeks ago, in defiance of international obligations, several of the world's largest industrial powers collaborated once again in yet another extremely dangerous shipment of radioactive material through our region. Without prior notice or assurance of compensation for damage, this shipment passed within 30 miles of the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia. Our expressed objections to this violation of our exclusive economic zone were flatly ignored. Effective regulation of ocean-based trans- shipment of these dangerous materials must find its way into the priorities of this body. Similarly, with regard to climate change, we welcome the positive accomplishments in the negotiating arena under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, most notably the