Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 20 December 2006  [without reference to a Main Committee (A/61/L.30 and Add.1)]  61/222.  Oceans and the law of the sea        The General Assembly,    Recalling its resolutions 49/28 of 6 December 1994, 52/26 of 26 November  1997, 54/33 of 24 November 1999, 57/141 of 12 December 2002, 58/240 of  23 December 2003, 59/24 of 17 November 2004, 60/30 of 29 November 2005 and  other relevant resolutions concerning the United Nations Convention on the Law of  the Sea (“the Convention”),1    Having considered the report of the Secretary-General, 2  the addendum  thereto,3 the report of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study  issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity  beyond areas of national jurisdiction4 and also the reports on the work of the United  Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the  Sea (“the Consultative Process”) at its seventh meeting 5  and on the sixteenth  Meeting of States Parties to the Convention,6    Emphasizing the pre-eminent contribution provided by the Convention to the  strengthening of peace, security, cooperation and friendly relations among all  nations in conformity with the principles of justice and equal rights and to the  promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples of the world, in  accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations as set forth in the  Charter of the United Nations, as well as for the sustainable development of the  oceans and seas,    Emphasizing also the universal and unified character of the Convention, and  reaffirming that the Convention sets out the legal framework within which all  activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out and is of strategic importance as  the basis for national, regional and global action and cooperation in the marine  sector, and that its integrity needs to be maintained, as recognized also by the  _______________  1 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, No. 31363.  2 A/61/63.  3 A/61/63/Add.1.  4 A/61/65.  5 A/61/156.  6 SPLOS/148.   A/RES/61/222  2  United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in chapter 17 of  Agenda 21,7    Recognizing the important contribution of sustainable development and  management of the resources and uses of the oceans and seas to the achievement of  international development goals, including those contained in the United Nations  Millennium Declaration,8    Conscious that the problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need  to be considered as a whole through an integrated, interdisciplinary and intersectoral  approach, and reaffirming the need to improve cooperation and coordination at the  national, regional and global levels, in accordance with the Convention, to support  and supplement the efforts of each State in promoting the implementation and  observance of the Convention, and the integrated management and sustainable  development of the oceans and seas,     Reiterating the essential need for cooperation, including through capacity- building and transfer of marine technology, to ensure that all States, especially  developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island  developing States, as well as coastal African States, are able both to implement the  Convention and to benefit from the sustainable development of the oceans and seas,  as well as to participate fully in global and regional forums and processes dealing  with oceans and law of the sea issues,     Emphasizing the need to strengthen the ability of competent international  organizations to contribute, at the global, regional, subregional and bilateral levels,  through cooperation programmes with Governments, to the development of national  capacity in marine science and the sustainable management of the oceans and their  resources,     Recalling that marine science is important for eradicating poverty, contributing  to food security, conserving the world’s marine environment and resources, helping  to understand, predict and respond to natural events and promoting the sustainable  development of the oceans and seas, by improving knowledge, through sustained  research efforts and the evaluation of monitoring results, and applying such  knowledge to management and decision-making,     Recalling also its decision, in resolutions 57/141 and 58/240, to establish a  regular process under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the  state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, both current and  foreseeable, building on existing regional assessments, as recommended by the  World Summit on Sustainable Development,9 and noting the need for cooperation  among all States to this end,    Reiterating its concern at the adverse impacts on the marine environment and  biodiversity, in particular on vulnerable marine ecosystems, including corals, of  human activities, such as overutilization of living marine resources, the use of  destructive practices, physical impacts by ships, the introduction of alien invasive  species and marine pollution from all sources, including from land-based sources  and vessels, in particular through the illegal discharge of oil and other harmful  _______________  7 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3–14 June  1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and  corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II.  8 See resolution 55/2.  9  See Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,   26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),  chap. I, resolution 2, annex.   A/RES/61/222  3  substances, the loss or release of fishing gear and the dumping of hazardous waste  such as radioactive materials, nuclear waste and dangerous chemicals,     Expressing its concern over the projected adverse effects of anthropogenic and  natural climate change and ocean acidification on the marine environment and  marine biodiversity,    Recognizing that there is a need for a more integrated approach and to further  study and promote measures for enhanced cooperation and coordination relating to  the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national  jurisdiction,    Recognizing also that the realization of the benefits of the Convention could  be enhanced by international cooperation, technical assistance and advanced  scientific knowledge, as well as by funding and capacity-building,    Recognizing further that hydrographic surveys and nautical charting are  critical to the safety of navigation and life at sea, environmental protection,  including the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and the economics of the  global shipping industry, and recognizing in this regard that the move towards  electronic charting not only provides significantly increased benefits for safe  navigation and management of ship movement, but also provides data and  information that can be used for sustainable fisheries activities and other sectoral  uses of the marine environment, the delimitation of maritime boundaries and  environmental protection,    Noting with concern the continuing problem of transnational organized crime  and threats to maritime safety and security, including piracy, armed robbery at sea,  smuggling and terrorist acts against shipping, offshore installations and other  maritime interests, and noting the deplorable loss of life and adverse impact on  international trade, energy security and the global economy resulting from such  activities,     Reaffirming the importance of the work of the Commission on the Limits of  the Continental Shelf (“the Commission”) for coastal States and the international  community as a whole,    Noting the important role of the Commission in assisting States parties in the  implementation of Part VI of the Convention, through the examination of  information submitted by coastal States regarding the outer limits of the continental  shelf beyond 200 nautical miles,    Recognizing the importance and the contribution of the work over the past  seven years of the Consultative Process established by resolution 54/33 to facilitate  the annual review of developments in ocean affairs by the General Assembly and  extended by resolutions 57/141 and 60/30,    Noting the responsibilities of the Secretary-General under the Convention and  related resolutions of the General Assembly, in particular resolutions 49/28, 52/26  and 54/33, and in this context the increase in activities of the Division for Ocean  Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat (“the  Division”), in particular in view of the growing number of requests to the Division  for additional outputs and servicing of meetings, the increasing capacity-building  activities and assistance to the Commission, and the role of the Division in inter- agency coordination and cooperation,     Emphasizing that underwater archaeological, cultural and historical heritage,  including shipwrecks and watercrafts, holds essential information on the history of   A/RES/61/222  4  humankind and that such heritage is a resource that needs to be protected and  preserved,    Reaffirming the importance of the work of the International Seabed Authority  (“the Authority”) in accordance with the Convention and the Agreement relating to  the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the  Sea of 10 December 1982 (“the Agreement”),10    I  Implementation of the Convention and related agreements and instruments    1.  Reaffirms its resolutions 49/28, 52/26, 54/33, 57/141, 58/240, 59/24,  60/30 and other relevant resolutions concerning the Convention;1    2.  Also reaffirms the unified character of the Convention and the vital  importance of preserving its integrity;     3.  Calls upon all States that have not done so, in order to achieve the goal  of universal participation, to become parties to the Convention and the Agreement;10    4.  Calls upon all States that have not done so, in order to achieve the goal  of universal participation, to become parties to the Agreement for the  Implementation of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of  the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the Conservation and Management of  Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks (“the Fish Stocks  Agreement”);11    5.  Calls upon States to harmonize, as a matter of priority, their national  legislation with the provisions of the Convention and, where applicable, relevant  agreements and instruments, to ensure the consistent application of those provisions  and to ensure also that any declarations or statements that they have made or make  when signing, ratifying or acceding to the Convention do not purport to exclude or  to modify the legal effect of the provisions of the Convention in their application to  the State concerned and to withdraw any such declarations or statements;     6.  Calls upon States parties to the Convention to deposit with the Secretary- General charts or lists of geographical coordinates, as provided for in the  Convention;     7.  Urges all States to cooperate, directly or through competent international  bodies, in taking measures to protect and preserve objects of an archaeological and  historical nature found at sea, in conformity with the Convention, and calls upon  States to work together on such diverse challenges and opportunities as the  appropriate relationship between salvage law and scientific management and  conservation of underwater cultural heritage, increasing technological abilities to  discover and reach underwater sites, looting and growing underwater tourism;     8.  Notes the effort made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and  Cultural Organization with respect to the preservation of underwater cultural  heritage, and notes in particular the rules annexed to the 2001 Convention on the  _______________  10 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1836, No. 31364.  11 Ibid., vol. 2167, No. 37924.   A/RES/61/222  5  Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 12  that address the relationship  between salvage law and scientific principles of management, conservation and  protection of underwater cultural heritage among parties, their nationals and vessels  flying their flag;     II  Capacity-building    9.  Calls upon donor agencies and international financial institutions to keep  their programmes systematically under review to ensure the availability in all States,  particularly in developing States, of the economic, legal, navigational, scientific and  technical skills necessary for the full implementation of the Convention and the  objectives of the present resolution, as well as the sustainable development of the  oceans and seas nationally, regionally and globally, and in so doing to bear in mind  the interests and needs of landlocked developing States;     10. Encourages intensified efforts to build capacity for developing countries,  in particular for the least developed countries and small island developing States, as  well as coastal African States, to improve hydrographic services and the production  of nautical charts, including electronic charts, as well as the mobilization of  resources and building of capacity with support from international financial  institutions and the donor community;     11. Calls upon States and international financial institutions, including  through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes and technical  partnerships, to continue to strengthen capacity-building activities, in particular in  developing countries, in the field of marine scientific research by, inter alia, training  personnel to develop and enhance relevant expertise, providing the necessary  equipment, facilities and vessels and transferring environmentally sound  technologies;     12. Recognizes the need to build the capacity of developing States to raise  awareness of, and support implementation of, improved waste management  practices, noting the particular vulnerability of small island developing States to the  impact of marine pollution from land-based sources and marine debris;     13. Also recognizes the importance of assisting developing States, in  particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well  as coastal African States, in implementing the Convention, and urges States,  intergovernmental  organizations  and  agencies,  national  institutions,  non- governmental organizations and international financial institutions, as well as  natural and juridical persons, to make voluntary financial or other contributions to  the trust funds, as referred to in resolution 57/141, established for this purpose;     14. Encourages States to use the Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of  Marine Technology, adopted by the Assembly of the Intergovernmental  Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and  Cultural Organization, 13 and recalls the important role of the secretariat of the  _______________  12 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Records of the General Conference,  Thirty-first Session, Paris, 15 October–3 November 2001, vol. 1 and corrigendum: Resolutions, resolution  24, annex.  13 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/INF-1203.    A/RES/61/222  6  International Oceanographic Commission in the implementation and promotion of  those Criteria and Guidelines;    15. Also encourages States to assist developing States, and especially the  least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal  African States, at the bilateral and, where appropriate, multilateral level, in the  preparation of submissions to the Commission regarding the establishment of the  outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, including the  assessment of the nature and extent of the continental shelf of a coastal State  through a desktop study, and the delineation of the outer limits of its continental  shelf;     16. Notes with appreciation the successful conduct by the Division of  regional training courses, most recently in Accra from 5 to 9 December 2005 and in  Buenos Aires from 8 to 12 May 2006, the purpose of which was to train technical  staff of coastal developing States in the delineation of the outer limits of the  continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and in the preparation of submissions to  the Commission, and requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with States and  relevant international organizations and institutions, to continue making such  training courses available;    17. Also notes with appreciation the first regional workshop of the  International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (“the Tribunal”), held in Dakar from  31 October to 2 November 2006 on the role of the Tribunal in the settlement of  disputes relating to the law of the sea in West Africa;    18. Invites Member States and others in a position to do so to support the  capacity-building activities of the Division, including, in particular, the training  activities to assist developing States in the preparation of their submissions to the  Commission, and invites Member States and others in a position to do so to  contribute to the trust fund established by the Secretary-General for the Office of  Legal Affairs of the Secretariat to support the promotion of international law;    19. Recognizes the importance of the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe  Memorial Fellowship on the Law of the Sea, advises the Secretary-General to  continue to finance the Fellowship from resources made available through an  appropriate Office of Legal Affairs trust fund, and urges Member States and others  in a position to do so to contribute to the further development of the Fellowship;    20. Takes note with satisfaction of the ongoing implementation of the United  Nations and the Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme, focusing on human  resources development for developing coastal States parties and non-parties to the  Convention in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea or related disciplines;    III  Meeting of States Parties    21. Welcomes the report of the sixteenth Meeting of States Parties to the  Convention;6    22. Requests the Secretary-General to convene the seventeenth Meeting of  States Parties to the Convention in New York on 14 and from 18 to 22 June 2007,  bearing in mind that the current term of office of the members of the Commission  expires on 15 June 2007, and to provide the services required;   A/RES/61/222  7    23. Calls upon States parties to transmit to the Secretariat the credentials of  representatives attending the Meeting as far in advance as is practicable, and no  later than 13 June 2007;    IV  Peaceful settlement of disputes    24. Notes with satisfaction the continued and significant contribution of the  Tribunal to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with  Part XV of the Convention, and underlines the important role and authority of the  Tribunal concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention and the  Agreement;    25. Equally pays tribute to the important and long-standing role of the  International Court of Justice with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes  concerning the law of the sea;    26. Notes that States parties to an international agreement related to the  purposes of the Convention may submit to, inter alia, the Tribunal or the  International Court of Justice any dispute concerning the interpretation or  application of that agreement submitted in accordance with that agreement, and  notes also the possibility, provided for in the statutes of the Tribunal and the Court,  to submit disputes to a chamber;    27. Encourages States parties to the Convention that have not yet done so to  consider making a written declaration choosing from the means set out in article 287  of the Convention for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or  application of the Convention and the Agreement, bearing in mind the  comprehensive character of the dispute settlement mechanism provided for in  Part XV of the Convention;    V  The Area    28. Notes the progress of the discussions on issues relating to the regulations  for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich  ferromanganese crusts in the Area, and reiterates the importance of the ongoing  elaboration by the Authority, pursuant to article 145 of the Convention, of rules,  regulations and procedures to ensure the effective protection of the marine  environment, the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Area  and the prevention of damage to its flora and fauna from harmful effects that may  arise from activities in the Area;     29. Takes note with satisfaction of the contract signed on 19 July 2006  between Germany and the Authority regarding the exploration of polymetallic  nodules in an area in the Pacific Ocean;    30. Notes the importance of the responsibilities entrusted to the Authority by  articles 143 and 145 of the Convention, which refer to marine scientific research  and protection of the marine environment respectively;      A/RES/61/222  8  VI  Effective functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal    31. Appeals to all States parties to the Convention to pay their assessed  contributions to the Authority and to the Tribunal in full and on time, and also  appeals to States parties in arrears with their contributions to fulfil their obligations  without delay;    32. Urges all States parties to the Convention to attend the sessions of the  Authority, and calls upon the Authority to continue to pursue all options, including  the issue of dates, in order to improve attendance in Kingston and to ensure global  participation;     33. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding  to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Tribunal 14 and to the  Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Authority;15    34. Emphasizes the importance of the Tribunal’s rules and staff regulations  promoting the recruitment of a geographically representative staff in the  Professional and higher categories, and calls for wider dissemination of vacancy  announcements to achieve that goal;    VII  The continental shelf and the work of the Commission    35. Encourages States parties to the Convention that are in a position to do  so to make every effort to submit information to the Commission regarding the  establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles,  in conformity with article 76 of the Convention and article 4 of annex II to the  Convention, taking into account the decision of the eleventh Meeting of States  Parties to the Convention;16    36. Notes with satisfaction the progress in the work of the Commission, 17  that it is giving current consideration to five submissions that have been made  regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200  nautical miles and that a number of States have advised of their intention to make  submissions in the near future;    37. Notes that the anticipated heavy workload of the Commission, owing to  an increasing number of submissions, places additional demands on its members and  the Division, and in that regard emphasizes the need to ensure that the Commission  can perform its functions effectively and maintain its high level of quality and  expertise;    38. Emphasizes the need to maintain, to the extent possible given the term of  office of the members of the Commission, continuity in the composition of  subcommissions throughout the consideration of a submission;    39. Takes note of the decision of the sixteenth Meeting of States Parties to  the Convention to address, as a matter of priority, issues related to the workload of  _______________  14 SPLOS/25.  15 ISBA/4/A/8, annex.  16 SPLOS/72.  17 CLCS/50 and CLCS/52.   A/RES/61/222  9  the Commission and funding for its members attending the sessions of the  Commission and the meetings of the subcommissions;18    40. Calls upon States whose experts are serving on the Commission to do  their utmost to ensure the full participation of those experts in the work of the  Commission, including the meetings of subcommissions, in accordance with the  Convention;    41. Endorses the call by the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention to  strengthen the Division, serving as the secretariat of the Commission, for the  purpose of enhancing its technical support for the Commission;    42. Urges the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary actions to  ensure that the Commission can fulfil the functions entrusted to it under the  Convention;    43. Encourages States to make additional contributions to the voluntary trust  fund established by resolution 55/7 of 30 October 2000 for the purpose of  facilitating the preparation of submissions to the Commission for developing States,  in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, and  compliance with article 76 of the Convention;    44. Expresses its concern regarding the resources available in the voluntary  trust fund established by resolution 55/7 for the purpose of defraying the cost of  participation of the members of the Commission from developing States in the  meetings of the Commission, and urges States to make additional contributions to  the trust fund;    45. Approves the convening by the Secretary-General of the nineteenth and  twentieth sessions of the Commission in New York from 5 March to 13 April 2007  and from 20 August to 7 September 2007, respectively, on the understanding that the  following periods will be used for the technical examination of submissions at the  Geographic Information System laboratories and other technical facilities of the  Division: 5 to 23 March 2007; 9 to 13 April 2007; 20 to 24 August 2007; and 4 to  7 September 2007;    46. Expresses its firm conviction about the importance of the work of the  Commission, carried out in accordance with the Convention, including with respect  to the participation of the coastal State in relevant proceedings concerning its  submission;     47. Notes with satisfaction the amendments to rule 52 of and annex III to the  rules of procedure of the Commission, 19 and recognizes the continued need for  active interaction between submitting States and the Commission;    48. Encourages States to continue exchanging views in order to increase  understanding of issues, including expenditures involved, arising from the  application of article 76 of the Convention, thus facilitating preparation of  submissions by States, in particular developing States, to the Commission;    49. Requests the Secretary-General, in cooperation with the Member States,  to continue supporting and organizing workshops or symposiums on scientific and  technical aspects of the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf  _______________  18 See SPLOS/144.  19 See CLCS/50, paras. 36 and 43.   A/RES/61/222  10  beyond 200 nautical miles, taking into account the deadline for submissions, and  welcomes initiatives of States in coordination with the United Nations, such as the  international symposium held in Tokyo on 6 and 7 March 2006;  VIII  Maritime safety and security and flag State implementation    50. Encourages States to ratify or accede to international agreements  addressing the safety and security of navigation and to adopt the necessary measures  consistent with the Convention, aimed at implementing and enforcing the rules  contained in those agreements;     51. Welcomes the adoption of the consolidated Maritime Labour Convention,  2006, by the International Labour Conference on 23 February 2006, and encourages  States to become parties to that Convention;    52. Also welcomes the adoption and continuing review by the International  Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization of Guidelines on  Fair Treatment of Seafarers in the Event of a Maritime Accident,20 and encourages  States to implement the Guidelines;    53. Calls upon States to consider becoming members of the International  Hydrographic Organization, and urges all States to work with that Organization to  increase the coverage of hydrographic information on a global basis to enhance  capacity-building and technical assistance and to promote safe navigation,  especially in areas used for international navigation, ports and where there are  vulnerable or protected marine areas;    54. Encourages States to draw up plans and to establish procedures to  implement the Guidelines on Places of Refuge for Ships in Need of Assistance;21    55. Notes the progress in the implementation of the Action Plan for the  Safety of Transport of Radioactive Material, approved by the Board of Governors of  the International Atomic Energy Agency in March 2004, 22 and encourages States  concerned to continue their efforts in the implementation of all areas of the Action  Plan;    56. Also notes that cessation of the transport of radioactive materials through  the regions of small island developing States is an ultimate desired goal of small  island developing States and some other countries, and recognizes the right of  freedom of navigation in accordance with international law; that States should  maintain dialogue and consultation, in particular under the aegis of the International  Atomic Energy Agency and the International Maritime Organization, with the aim  of  improved  mutual  understanding,  confidence-building  and  enhanced  communication in relation to the safe maritime transport of radioactive materials;  that States involved in the transport of such materials are urged to continue to  engage in dialogue with small island developing States and other States to address  their concerns; and that these concerns include the further development and  strengthening, within the appropriate forums, of international regulatory regimes to  _______________  20 Adopted by the International Maritime Organization Legal Committee on 27 April 2006 as resolution  LEG.3(91), and by the International Labour Organization Governing Body on 12 June 2006 at its  296th session.  21 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.949(23).  22 Available from www-ns.iaea.org.   A/RES/61/222  11  enhance safety, disclosure, liability, security and compensation in relation to such  transport;23    57. Encourages States to cooperate to address threats to maritime safety and  security, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, smuggling and terrorist acts against  shipping, offshore installations and other maritime interests, through bilateral and  multilateral instruments and mechanisms aimed at monitoring, preventing and  responding to such threats;     58. Urges all States, in cooperation with the International Maritime  Organization, to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea by adopting measures,  including those relating to assistance with capacity-building through training of  seafarers, port staff and enforcement personnel in the prevention, reporting and  investigation of incidents, bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice, in accordance  with international law, and by adopting national legislation, as well as providing  enforcement vessels and equipment and guarding against fraudulent ship  registration;     59. Calls upon States to become parties to the Convention for the  Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and the  Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms  Located on the Continental Shelf,24 invites States to consider becoming parties to  the 2005 Protocols amending those instruments,25 and also urges States parties to  take appropriate measures to ensure the effective implementation of those  instruments, through the adoption of legislation, where appropriate;     60. Also calls upon States to effectively implement the International Ship and  Port Facility Security Code and related amendments to the International Convention  for the Safety of Life at Sea, 26  and to work with the International Maritime  Organization to promote safe and secure shipping while ensuring freedom of  navigation;    61. Takes note of the adoption by the International Maritime Organization of  amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea  introducing the long-range identification and tracking of ships system;27    62. Notes the work of the International Maritime Organization with regard to  the preparation of the wreck removal convention for the prompt and effective  removal of wrecks which may pose a hazard to navigation or the marine  environment;    63. Requests States to take appropriate measures with regard to ships flying  their flag or of their registry to address hazards that may be caused by wrecks and  drifting or sunken cargo to navigation or the marine environment;    64. Urges all States, in cooperation with the International Maritime  Organization, to improve the protection of offshore installations by adopting  measures related to the prevention, reporting and investigation of acts of violence  against installations, in accordance with international law, and by implementing  _______________  23 Resolution 60/1, para. 56 (o).  24 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1678, No. 29004.  25 International Maritime Organization, documents LEG/CONF.15/21 and LEG/CONF.15/22.  26 International Maritime Organization, documents SOLAS/CONF.5/32 and 34.  27 International Maritime Organization, document MSC 81/25/Add.1, annex 2, resolution MSC.202(81).   A/RES/61/222  12  such measures through national legislation to ensure proper and adequate  enforcement;    65. Calls upon States to ensure freedom of navigation and the rights of  transit passage and innocent passage in accordance with international law, in  particular the Convention;    66. Welcomes the work of the International Maritime Organization relating to  the protection of shipping lanes of strategic importance and significance, and in  particular in enhancing safety, security and environmental protection in straits used  for international navigation, and calls upon the International Maritime Organization,  States bordering straits and user States to continue their cooperation efforts to keep  such straits safe and open to international navigation at all times, consistent with  international law, in particular the Convention;    67. Calls upon user States and States bordering straits for international  navigation to cooperate by agreement on matters relating to navigational safety,  including safety aids for navigation, and the prevention, reduction and control of  pollution from ships;    68. Welcomes the progress in regional cooperation, including the Jakarta and  Kuala Lumpur Statements on Enhancement of Safety, Security and Environmental  Protection in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, adopted on 8 September 200528  and 20 September 2006, 29  respectively, the progress made in establishing a  cooperative mechanism on safety of navigation and environmental protection to  promote dialogue and facilitate close cooperation between the littoral States, user  States, shipping industry and other stakeholders and in implementing the Marine  Electronic Highway Demonstration Project for the Straits of Malacca and  Singapore, and the entry into force of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on  Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia on 4 September 2006,  by which the Information Sharing Centre was launched and established in Singapore  in November 2006, and calls upon States to give immediate attention to adopting,  concluding and implementing cooperation agreements at the regional level;    69. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to become parties to the  Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing  the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime 30 and the  Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women  and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational  Organized Crime, 31  and to take appropriate measures to ensure their effective  implementation;    70. Calls upon States to ensure that masters on ships flying their flag take the  steps required by relevant instruments32 to provide assistance to persons in distress  at sea, and urges States to cooperate and to take all necessary measures to ensure the  effective implementation of the amendments to the International Convention on  _______________  28 A/60/529, annex II.  29 A/61/584, annex.  30 Resolution 55/25, annex III.  31 Ibid., annex II.  32 The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, the International Convention on  Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979, as amended, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,  1982, and the International Convention on Salvage, 1989.   A/RES/61/222  13  Maritime Search and Rescue33 and to the International Convention for the Safety of  Life at Sea34 relating to the delivery of persons rescued at sea to a place of safety, as  well as of the associated Guidelines on the Treatment of Persons Rescued at Sea;35    71. Urges flag States without an effective maritime administration and  appropriate legal frameworks to establish or enhance the necessary infrastructure,  legislative and enforcement capabilities to ensure effective compliance with, and  implementation and enforcement of, their responsibilities under international law  and, until such action is taken, to consider declining the granting of the right to fly  their flag to new vessels, suspending their registry or not opening a registry, and  calls upon flag and port States to take all measures consistent with international law  necessary to prevent the operation of substandard vessels;    72. Welcomes the adoption by the International Maritime Organization of the  resolutions on the establishment of the Voluntary International Maritime  Organization Member State Audit Scheme, 36 the Code for the implementation of  mandatory International Maritime Organization instruments 37  and the future  development of the Voluntary Audit Scheme, 38 and encourages all flag States to  volunteer to be audited;    73. Takes note of the report of the Ad Hoc Consultative Meeting of senior  representatives of international organizations on the “genuine link” held by the  International Maritime Organization in July 2005 in response to the invitation  extended to the Organization and other relevant competent international  organizations in resolutions 58/14 of 24 November 2003 and 58/240 to examine and  clarify the role of the “genuine link” in relation to the duty of flag States to exercise  effective control over ships flying their flag, including fishing vessels, and the  potential consequences of non-compliance with duties and obligations of flag States  described in relevant international instruments;39    IX  Marine environment and marine resources    74. Emphasizes once again the importance of the implementation of Part XII  of the Convention in order to protect and preserve the marine environment and its  living marine resources against pollution and physical degradation, and calls upon  all States to cooperate and take measures consistent with the Convention, directly or  through competent international organizations, for the protection and preservation of  the marine environment;    75. Encourages States to ratify or accede to international agreements  addressing the protection and preservation of the marine environment and its living  marine resources against the introduction of harmful aquatic organisms and  pathogens and marine pollution from all sources, and other forms of physical  degradation, as well as agreements that provide for compensation for damage  resulting from marine pollution, and to adopt the necessary measures consistent with  _______________  33 International Maritime Organization, document MSC/78/26/Add.1, annex 5, resolution MSC.155(78).  34 Ibid., annex 3, resolution MSC.153(78).  35 Ibid., annex 34, resolution MSC.167(78).  36 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.974(24).  37 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.973(24).  38 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.975(24).  39 See A/61/160, annex.   A/RES/61/222  14  the Convention aimed at implementing and enforcing the rules contained in those  agreements;    76. Welcomes the entry into force on 24 March 2006 of the 1996 Protocol to  the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and  Other Matter, 1972, 40  and on 14 June 2007 of the Protocol on Preparedness,  Response and Cooperation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious  Substances, 2000,41 and encourages States that have not done so to become parties  to those Protocols;    77. Encourages States, in accordance with the Convention and other relevant  instruments, either bilaterally or regionally, to jointly develop and promote  contingency plans for responding to pollution incidents, as well as other incidents  that are likely to have significant adverse effects on the marine environment and  biodiversity;    78. Welcomes the activities of the United Nations Environment Programme  relating to marine debris carried out in cooperation with relevant United Nations  bodies and organizations, and encourages States to further develop partnerships with  industry and civil society to raise awareness of the extent of the impact of marine  debris on the health and productivity of the marine environment and consequent  economic loss;     79. Urges States to integrate the issue of marine debris into national  strategies dealing with waste management in the coastal zone, ports and maritime  industries, including recycling, reuse, reduction and disposal, and to encourage the  development of appropriate economic incentives to address this issue, including the  development of cost recovery systems that provide an incentive to use port reception  facilities and discourage ships from discharging marine debris at sea, and  encourages States to cooperate regionally and subregionally to develop and  implement joint prevention and recovery programmes for marine debris;     80. Welcomes the decision of the International Maritime Organization to  review annex V to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from  Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, 42 to assess its  effectiveness in addressing sea-based sources of marine debris, and encourages all  relevant organizations and bodies to assist in that process;     81. Encourages States that have not done so to become parties to the  Protocol of 1997 (Annex VI-Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from  Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships,  1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto, and furthermore to ratify  or accede to the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling  Systems on Ships, 2001,43 as well as the International Convention for the Control  and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004,44 thereby facilitating  their early entry into force;    82. Notes the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization in  accordance with its resolution on International Maritime Organization policies and  _______________  40 IMO/LC.2/Circ.380.  41 HNS-OPRC/CONF/11/Rev.1, attachment 1.  42 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1340, No. 22484.  43 International Maritime Organization, document AFS/CONF/26, annex.  44 International Maritime Organization, document BWM/CONF/36, annex.   A/RES/61/222  15  practices related to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships45 and the  work plan to identify and develop the mechanisms needed to achieve the limitation  or reduction of CO2 emissions from international shipping agreed by the Marine  Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization at its  fifty-fifth session from 9 to 13 October 2006,46 and welcomes ongoing efforts of  that Organization in that regard;    83. Notes with appreciation the efforts of the International Maritime  Organization in developing and approving an action plan to address the inadequacy  of port waste reception facilities, and urges States to cooperate in correcting the  shortfall in such facilities in accordance with the action plan;    84. Welcomes the outcomes of the Second Intergovernmental Review  Meeting of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine  Environment from Land-based Activities, convened in Beijing from 16 to  20 October 2006, and calls upon States to take all appropriate measures to fulfil the  commitments of the international community embodied in the Beijing Declaration  on Furthering the Implementation of the Global Programme of Action;    85. Also welcomes the continued work of States, the United Nations  Environment Programme and regional organizations in the implementation of the  Global Programme of Action, and encourages increased emphasis on the link  between freshwater, the coastal zone and marine resources in the implementation of  international development goals, including those contained in the United Nations  Millennium Declaration8 and of the time-bound targets in the Plan of  Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (“Johannesburg  Plan of Implementation”),47 in particular the target on sanitation, and the Monterrey  Consensus of the International Conference on Financing for Development;48    86. Invites States, in particular those States with advanced technology and  marine capabilities, to explore prospects for improving cooperation with, and  assistance to, developing States, in particular least developed countries and small  island developing States, as well as coastal African States, with a view to better  integrating into national policies and programmes sustainable and effective  development in the marine sector;    87. Encourages the competent international organizations, the United  Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and other funding agencies to  consider expanding their programmes within their respective fields of competence  for assistance to developing countries and to coordinate their efforts, including in  the allocation and application of Global Environment Facility funding;    88. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a study, in cooperation with  and based on information provided by States and competent international  organizations and global and regional funding agencies, on the assistance available  to and measures that may be taken by developing States, in particular the least  developed States and small island developing States, as well as coastal African  _______________  45 International Maritime Organization, Assembly resolution A.963(23).  46 International Maritime Organization, document MEPC 55/23, annex 9.  47  Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa,   26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum),  chap. I, resolution 2, annex.  48  Report of the International Conference on Financing for Development, Monterrey, Mexico,   18–22 March 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.II.A.7), chap. I, resolution 1, annex.   A/RES/61/222  16  States, to realize the benefits of sustainable and effective development of marine  resources and uses of the oceans within the limits of national jurisdiction, and  further requests the Secretary-General to present the study to the General Assembly  at its sixty-third session and to report to the Assembly at its sixty-second session on  progress in the preparation of the study;    X  Marine biodiversity    89. Reaffirms its role relating to the conservation and sustainable use of  marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, notes the work of  States and relevant complementary intergovernmental organizations and bodies on  those issues, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Food and  Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and invites them to contribute to its  consideration of these issues within the areas of their respective competence;    90. Welcomes the meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working  Group, established by paragraph 73 of resolution 59/24 to study issues relating to  the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of  national jurisdiction, held in New York from 13 to 17 February 2006, and takes note  of the possible options, approaches and timely follow-up process discussed by the  Working Group;4    91. Takes note of the report of the Working Group,4 and requests the  Secretary-General to convene, in accordance with paragraph 73 of resolution 59/24,  and with full conference services, a meeting of the Working Group in 2008, to  consider:    (a)  The environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities on marine  biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction;    (b)  Coordination and cooperation among States as well as relevant  intergovernmental organizations and bodies for the conservation and management of  marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction;    (c)  The role of area-based management tools;    (d)  Genetic resources beyond areas of national jurisdiction;     (e)  Whether there is a governance or regulatory gap, and if so, how it should  be addressed;    92. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the issues referred to in  paragraph 91 above in the context of his report on oceans and the law of the sea to  the General Assembly at its sixty-second session, in order to assist the Working  Group in preparing its agenda, in consultation with all relevant international bodies,  and to arrange for support for the performance of its work to be provided by the  Division;    93. Encourages States to include relevant experts in their delegations  attending the meeting of the Working Group;    94. Recognizes the importance of making the outcomes of the Working  Group widely available;   A/RES/61/222  17    95. Notes the work under the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal  Biological Diversity 49  and the Convention on Biological Diversity elaborated  programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, 50 as well as the  relevant decisions adopted at the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to  the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Curitiba, Brazil, from 20 to  31 March 2006;51    96. Reaffirms the need for States and competent international organizations  to urgently consider ways to integrate and improve, based on the best available  scientific information and in accordance with the Convention and related  agreements and instruments, the management of risks to the marine biodiversity of  seamounts, cold water corals, hydrothermal vents and certain other underwater  features;    97. Also reaffirms the need for States to continue their efforts to develop and  facilitate the use of diverse approaches and tools for conserving and managing  vulnerable marine ecosystems, including the possible establishment of marine  protected areas, consistent with international law and based on the best scientific  information available, and the development of representative networks of any such  marine protected areas by 2012;    98. Notes the work of States, relevant intergovernmental organizations and  bodies, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, in the assessment of  scientific information on, and compilation of ecological criteria for the  identification of, marine areas that require protection, in light of the objective of the  World Summit on Sustainable Development to develop and facilitate the use of  diverse approaches and tools such as the establishment of marine protected areas  consistent with international law and based on scientific information, including  representative networks by 2012;9    99. Also notes the report of the Scientific Experts’ Workshop on Criteria for  Identifying Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas beyond National  Jurisdiction, held in Ottawa from 6 to 8 December 2005,52 and encourages experts  to participate in follow-up workshops;    100. Further notes the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment synthesis reports  and the urgent need to protect the marine biodiversity expressed therein;    101. Calls upon States and international organizations to urgently take action  to address, in accordance with international law, destructive practices that have  adverse impacts on marine biodiversity and ecosystems, including seamounts,  hydrothermal vents and cold water corals;    102. Reiterates its support for the International Coral Reef Initiative, takes  note of the International Coral Reef Initiative General Meetings, held in Koror from  31 October to 2 November 2005, and in Cozumel, Mexico, on 22 and 23 October  2006, supports the work under the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal  Biological Diversity and the elaborated programme of work on marine and coastal  biological diversity related to coral reefs, and notes the progress that the  International Coral Reef Initiative and other relevant bodies have made to  _______________  49 See A/51/312, annex II, decision II/10.  50 UNEP/CBD/COP/7/21, annex, decision VII/5, annex I.  51 UNEP/CBD/COP/8/31, annex I.  52 A/AC.259/16, annex.   A/RES/61/222  18  incorporate cold water coral ecosystems into their programmes and activities and to  promote the conservation and sustainable use of all coral reef resources;    103. Expresses its concern that coral bleaching has become more frequent and  severe throughout tropical seas over the last two decades, and highlights the need  for improved monitoring to predict and identify bleaching events to support and  strengthen action during such events and improve strategies to support the natural  resilience of reefs;    104. Welcomes the publication of the Status of Coral Reefs in Tsunami  Affected Countries: 2005 by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network;    105. Encourages States to cooperate, directly or through competent  international bodies, in exchanging information in the event of accidents involving  vessels on coral reefs and in promoting the development of economic assessment  techniques for both restoration and non-use values of coral reef systems;    106. Emphasizes the need to mainstream sustainable coral reef management  and integrated watershed management into national development strategies, as well  as into the activities of relevant United Nations agencies and programmes,  international financial institutions and the donor community;    107. Encourages further studies and consideration of the impacts of ocean  noise on marine living resources, and requests the Division to compile the peer- reviewed scientific studies it receives from Member States and to make them  available on its website;    XI  Marine science    108. Calls upon States, individually or in collaboration with each other or  with relevant international organizations and bodies, to improve understanding and  knowledge of the oceans and the deep sea, including, in particular, the extent and  vulnerability of deep sea biodiversity and ecosystems, by increasing their marine  scientific research activities in accordance with the Convention;    109. Notes the contribution of the Census of Marine Life to marine  biodiversity research, and encourages participation in the initiative;    110. Takes note with appreciation of the work of the Advisory Body of  Experts on the Law of the Sea of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission  on the development of procedures for the implementation of Parts XIII and XIV of  the Convention and on the development of a consensual text on the legal framework  for the collection of oceanographic data within the context of the Convention;    111. Stresses the importance of increasing the scientific understanding of the  oceans/atmosphere interface, including through participation in ocean observing  programmes and geographic information systems, such as the Global Ocean  Observing System, a programme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic  Commission, particularly considering their role in monitoring climate variability  and in the establishment of tsunami warning systems;    112. Recognizes the significant progress made by the Intergovernmental  Oceanographic Commission and Member States towards the establishment of  regional tsunami warning and mitigation systems, welcomes the continued  collaboration of the World Meteorological Organization and other United Nations  and intergovernmental organizations in this effort, and encourages Member States to   A/RES/61/222  19  establish and sustain their national warning and mitigation systems, within a global,  ocean-related multi-hazard approach, as necessary, to reduce loss of life and damage  to national economies and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities to  natural disasters;    XII  Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of   the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects    113. Recalls that the Ad Hoc Steering Group was established by resolution  60/30;    114. Takes note of the report of the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Steering  Group for the “assessment of assessments” launched as a preparatory stage towards  the establishment of the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the  state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, held in  New York from 7 to 9 June 2006,53 and urges Member States from the African and  Asian regional groups to propose the remaining representatives to the Chairmen of  their regional groups so that the appointment to the Ad Hoc Steering Group of those  representatives can be made by the President of the General Assembly without  further delay;    115. Urges the Ad Hoc Steering Group to complete the “assessment of  assessments” within two years, as provided for in resolution 60/30;     116. Welcomes with appreciation the support of the United Nations  Environment Programme and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission for  the “assessment of assessments” in providing secretariat services to the Ad Hoc  Steering Group and establishing the group of experts, as approved by the Ad Hoc  Steering Group;    117. Invites Member States, the Global Environment Facility and other  interested parties to contribute financially to the “assessment of assessments”,  taking into account the workplan and budget approved by the Ad Hoc Steering  Group, in order to complete the “assessment of assessments” within the specified  period;    XIII  Regional cooperation    118. Notes that there have been a number of initiatives at the regional level, in  various regions, to further the implementation of the Convention, takes note in that  context of the Caribbean-focused Assistance Fund, which is intended to facilitate,  mainly through technical assistance, the voluntary undertaking of maritime  delimitation negotiations between Caribbean States, takes note once again of the  Fund for Peace: Peaceful Settlement of Territorial Disputes, established by the  General Assembly of the Organization of American States in 2000 as a primary  mechanism, given its broader regional scope, for the prevention and resolution of  pending territorial, land border and maritime boundary disputes, and calls upon  States and others in a position to do so to contribute to these funds;     _______________  53 United Nations Environment Programme, document A/61/GRAME/AHSG/1.   A/RES/61/222  20  XIV  Open-ended informal consultative process on oceans and the law of the sea    119. Welcomes the report on the work of the Consultative Process at its  seventh meeting,5 and invites States to consider the agreed consensual elements  relating to ecosystem approaches and oceans, as suggested by the Consultative  Process, as set out in part A of the report, in particular the proposed elements of an  ecosystem approach, means to achieve implementation of an ecosystem approach  and requirements for improved application of an ecosystem approach and also:    (a)  Notes that continued environmental degradation in many parts of the  world and increasing competing demands require an urgent response and the setting  of priorities for management interventions aimed at conserving ecosystem integrity;     (b)  Notes that ecosystem approaches to ocean management should be  focused on managing human activities in order to maintain and, where needed,  restore ecosystem health to sustain goods and environmental services, provide social  and economic benefits for food security, sustain livelihoods in support of  international development goals, including those contained in the Millennium  Declaration, and conserve marine biodiversity;     (c)  Recalls that States should be guided in the application of ecosystem  approaches by a number of existing instruments, in particular the Convention, which  sets out the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, and its  implementing Agreements, as well as other commitments, such as those contained in  the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Summit on Sustainable  Development call for the application of an ecosystem approach by 2010;    (d)  Encourages States to cooperate and coordinate their efforts and take,  individually or jointly, as appropriate, all measures, in conformity with international  law, including the Convention and other applicable instruments, to address impacts  on marine ecosystems in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction, taking into  account the integrity of the ecosystems concerned;    120. Requests the Secretary-General to convene the eighth meeting of the  Consultative Process, in New York, from 25 to 29 June 2007, to provide it with the  necessary facilities for the performance of its work and to arrange for support to be  provided by the Division, in cooperation with other relevant parts of the Secretariat,  as appropriate;    121. Recalls the need to strengthen and improve the efficiency of the  Consultative Process, and encourages States, intergovernmental organizations and  programmes to provide guidance to the co-chairpersons to this effect, particularly  before and during the preparatory meeting for the Consultative Process;    122. Expresses its concern regarding the insufficient resources available in the  voluntary trust fund established by resolution 55/7 for the purpose of assisting  developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island  developing States and landlocked developing States, in attending the meetings of the  Consultative Process by covering the costs of travel and daily subsistence  allowance, and urges States to make additional contributions to the trust fund;     123. Decides that, in its deliberations on the report of the Secretary-General  on oceans and the law of the sea at its forthcoming meetings in 2007 and 2008, the  Consultative Process will focus its discussions on the topics “Marine genetic  resources” in 2007 and “Maritime security and safety” in 2008;   A/RES/61/222  21  XV  Coordination and cooperation    124. Encourages States to work closely with and through international  organizations, funds and programmes, as well as the specialized agencies of the  United Nations system and relevant international conventions, to identify emerging  areas of focus for improved coordination and cooperation and how best to address  these issues;     125. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the  attention of heads of intergovernmental organizations, the specialized agencies,  funds and programmes of the United Nations engaged in activities relating to ocean  affairs and the law of the sea, as well as funding institutions, and underlines the  importance of their constructive and timely input for the report of the Secretary- General on oceans and the law of the sea and of their participation in relevant  meetings and processes;    126. Welcomes the work done by the secretariats of relevant United Nations  specialized agencies, programmes, funds and bodies and the secretariats of related  organizations and conventions to enhance inter-agency coordination and cooperation  on ocean issues, including through UN-Oceans, the inter-agency coordination  mechanism on ocean and coastal issues within the United Nations system;    127. Encourages continued updates to Member States by UN-Oceans  regarding its priorities and initiatives, in particular with respect to the proposed  participation in UN-Oceans;    XVI  Activities of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea    128. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for the annual  comprehensive report on oceans and the law of the sea, prepared by the Division, as  well as for the other activities of the Division, which reflect the high standard of  assistance provided to Member States by the Division;    129. Requests the Secretary-General to continue  to carry out the  responsibilities and functions entrusted to him in the Convention and by the related  resolutions of the General Assembly, including resolutions 49/28 and 52/26, and to  ensure the allocation of appropriate resources to the Division for the performance of  its activities under the approved budget for the Organization;     XVII  Sixty-second session of the General Assembly      130. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a comprehensive report, in its  current comprehensive format and in accordance with established practice, for the  consideration of the General Assembly at its sixty-second session, on developments  and issues relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, including the  implementation of the present resolution, in accordance with resolutions 49/28,  52/26 and 54/33, and to make the report available at least six weeks in advance of  the meeting of the Consultative Process;     131. Emphasizes the critical role of the annual comprehensive report of the  Secretary-General, which integrates information on developments relating to the  implementation of the Convention and the work of the Organization, its specialized   A/RES/61/222  22  agencies and other institutions in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea at  the global and regional levels, and as a result constitutes the basis for the annual  consideration and review of developments relating to ocean affairs and the law of  the sea by the General Assembly as the global institution having the competence to  undertake such a review;    132. Notes that the report referred to in paragraph 130 above will also be  presented to States parties pursuant to article 319 of the Convention regarding issues  of a general nature that have arisen with respect to the Convention;    133. Also notes the desire to further improve the efficiency of, and effective  participation of delegations in, the informal consultations concerning the annual  General Assembly resolution on oceans and the law of the sea and the resolution on  sustainable fisheries, and decides to limit the period of the informal consultations on  both resolutions to a maximum of four weeks in total and to ensure that the  consultations are scheduled in such a way as to avoid overlap with the period during  which the Sixth Committee is meeting and that the Division has sufficient time to  produce the report referred to in paragraph 130 above;    134. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-second session  the item entitled “Oceans and the law of the sea”.