The General Assembly,
Aware of the disastrous situation caused in Kuwait and neighbouring areas by the torching and destruction of hundreds of its oil wells and of the other environmental consequences on the atmosphere, land and marine life,
Bearing in mind all relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular section E of resolution 687 (1991) of 3 April 1991,
Having taken note of the report submitted by the Secretary-General to the Security Council describing the nature and extent of the environmental damage suffered by Kuwait,
Having also taken note of decision 16/11 A adopted by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on 31 May 1991,
Having further taken note of its resolution 46/216 of 20 December 1991
Having taken note of the report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation to mitigate the environmental consequences on Kuwait and other countries in the region resulting from the situation between Iraq and Kuwait,
Profoundly concerned at the degradation of the environment as a consequence of the damage, especially the threat posed to the health and well-being of the people of Kuwait and the people of the region, and the adverse impact on the economic activities of Kuwait and other countries of the region, including the effects on livestock, agriculture and fishing, as well as on wildlife,
Welcoming the recent Mount Mitchell Research Cruise, which took place under the sponsorship of the International Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the United Nations Environment Programme in order to make a scientific assessment of environmental conditions in the region,
Awaiting the meetings due to be held in 1993, at which the results of the Mount Mitchell Research Cruise will be discussed and evaluated,
Acknowledging the fact that dealing with this catastrophe goes beyond the capabilities of the countries of the region and, in that regard, recognizing the need for strengthened international cooperation to deal with the issue,
Noting with appreciation the appointment by the Secretary-General of an Under-Secretary-General as his Personal Representative to coordinate United Nations efforts in this field,
Also noting with appreciation the efforts already undertaken by the Member States of the region, other States, the organizations of the United Nations system, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of this environmental catastrophe,
Bearing in mind the effective work of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment and the inter-agency task force established under the leadership of the United Nations Environment Programme especially for the environmental situation in the region, and the plan of action,
Expressing its special appreciation to the Governments which have extended financial support to the two trust funds established for the purpose by the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, and to the governments and organizations that supported the recent international research cruise conducted under the auspices of the International Oceanographic Commission, the regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment and its role in coordinating the implementation of these programmes;
1. Appeals to all States Members of the United Nations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific bodies and individuals to provide assistance for programmes aimed at the study and mitigation of the environmental deterioration of the region and for strengthening the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment and its role in coordinating the implementation of these programmes;
2. Calls upon the organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, in particular the International Maritime Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme, to pursue their efforts to assess the short-term as well as long-term impact of the environmental degradation of the region and to consider measures that may be needed to counteract these effects;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, through his Personal Representative, to render assistance to the members of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment in the formulation and implementation of a coordinated and consolidated programme of action comprising costed project profiles, to help identify all possible resources for the programme of action and, inter alia, for strengthening the environmental capacities of the members of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment to surmount the problem, and to allocate, within existing resources, the minimum resources required to enable his Personal Representative to continue to help coordinate the activities of the United Nations system to that end;
4. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report on the implementation of the present resolution;
5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth session a sub-item entitled "International cooperation to mitigate the environmental consequences on Kuwait and other countries in the region resulting from the situation between Iraq and Kuwait" under the item entitled "Development and international economic cooperation".
92nd plenary meeting
18 December 1992
