Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 35
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Conscious of the fundamental importance of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea 1/ for the maintenance and strengthening
of international peace and security,
Recognizing the universal character of the Convention and
the establishment through it of a legal order for the seas and
oceans which will facilitate international communication and promote
the peaceful uses of the seas and oceans, the equitable and efficient
utilization of their resources, the conservation of their living
resources and the study, protection and preservation of the marine
environment,
Considering that, in its resolution 2749 (XXV) of 17 December
1970, it proclaimed that the seabed and ocean floor, and the subsoil
thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (hereinafter
referred to as "the Area"), as well as the resources
of the Area, are the common heritage of mankind, and considering
also that the Convention provides the regime to be applied to
the Area and its resources,
Welcoming the adoption on 28 July 1994 of the Agreement
relating to the implementation of Part XI of the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 2/ (hereinafter
referred to as "the Agreement"), aimed at facilitating
universal participation in the Convention,
Recognizing that the entry into force of the Convention
on 16 November 1994 marks an historic event in international relations
and in the development of international law,
Welcoming also the holding of the first meeting of the
International Seabed Authority at its headquarters in Jamaica,
Noting with satisfaction the convening, on 21 and 22 November
1994 in New York, of a meeting of States parties to the Convention
concerning the establishment of the International Tribunal for
the Law of the Sea,
Noting that the Agreement provides that the institutions
established by the Convention should be cost-effective,
Noting also that the Agreement provides that the International
Seabed Authority shall have its own budget and that the administrative
expenses of the Authority shall initially be met from the regular
budget of the United Nations, 3/
Acknowledging that the International Seabed Authority is
an autonomous organization under the Convention,
Emphasizing the principle stated in the Convention that
the problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need
to be considered as a whole,
Convinced, therefore, of the importance of the annual consideration
and review of the overall developments relating to the law of
the sea by the General Assembly, as the global institution having
the competence to undertake such a review,
Conscious of the strategic importance of the Convention
as a framework for national, regional and global action in the
marine sector, as recognized also by the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development in chapter 17 of Agenda 21, 4/
Aware of the importance of the effective implementation
of the Convention and its uniform and consistent application,
as well as the need to promote harmonious interaction in the uses
of the ocean and to create favourable conditions for peace and
order in the oceans,
Recalling that in its resolution 37/66 of 3 December 1982
it approved the assumption by the Secretary-General of the responsibilities
entrusted to him under the Convention and related resolutions
of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea,
as well as the functions resulting therefrom which were subsequently
elaborated in the report of the Secretary-General and approved
by the General Assembly, 5/
Noting the additional responsibilities of the Secretary-General
arising from the entry into force of the Convention,
Recognizing the impact on States of the entry into force
of the Convention in the light of the rights and obligations arising
therefrom and the increasing needs of States, especially developing
States, for advice and assistance in the implementation of the
Convention and to develop and strengthen their capabilities in
order to enable them to benefit fully from the legal regime for
the seas and oceans established by the Convention,
Conscious of the need to promote and facilitate international
cooperation, especially at subregional and regional levels, in
order to ensure the orderly and sustainable development of the
uses and resources of the seas and oceans,
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 profound satisfaction at the entry into
force of the Convention;
3. Calls upon all States that have not done so to become
parties to 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 in order to achieve the goal of universal
participation;
4. Expresses its satisfaction at the establishment of the
International Seabed Authority;
5. Welcomes the first meeting of States parties to the
Convention concerning the establishment of the International Tribunal
for the Law of the Sea;
6. Expresses its satisfaction also at the progress being
made in the establishment of the International Tribunal for the
Law of the Sea and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental
Shelf;
7. Reaffirms the unified character of the Convention;
8. Calls upon States to harmonize their national legislation
with the provisions of the Convention and to ensure consistent
application of those provisions;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to implement its decision
contained in paragraph 8 of resolution 48/263 of 28 July 1994,
taking into account the decisions and recommendations of the Preparatory
Commission for the International Seabed Authority and for the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (hereinafter referred
to as "the Preparatory Commission");
10. Also requests the Secretary-General to provide, from
within existing resources, such services as may be required for
the meetings of States parties to the Convention and for the Commission
on the Limits of the Continental Shelf;
11. Further requests the Secretary-General, from within
existing resources, to convene a meeting of States parties relating
to the organization of the International Tribunal for the Law
of the Sea in New York from 15 to 19 May 1995 and, pursuant to
the recommendations of the Preparatory Commission and the decision
of the meeting of States parties of 22 November 1994, to designate
before 16 May 1995 a United Nations staff member with secretariat
support to be charged with making preparations of a practical
nature for the organization of the Tribunal, including the establishment
of a library;
12. Decides to undertake an annual review and evaluation
of the implementation of the Convention and other developments
relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea;
13. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General
for his report of 16 November 1994, 6/ prepared pursuant to paragraph
24 of Assembly resolution 48/28 of 9 December 1993, and requests
him to carry out the activities outlined therein, as well as those
aimed at the strengthening of the legal regime of the seas and
oceans;
14. Notes with appreciation the functions and role of the
Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office
of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat, which has contributed to
the wider acceptance and rational and consistent application of
the provisions of the Convention,
15. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to carry
out the responsibilities entrusted to him upon the adoption of
the Convention 7/ and to fulfil the functions consequent upon
the entry into force of the Convention, in particular by:
(a) Preparing annually a comprehensive report, for the consideration of the Assembly, on developments relating to the law of the sea, taking into account relevant scientific and technological developments, which could also serve as a basis for reports to all States parties to the Convention, the International Seabed Authority and competent international organizations, and which the Secretary-General is required to provide under the Convention; 8/
(b) Formulating recommendations for the consideration of, and for action by, the Assembly or other appropriate intergovernmental forums, and undertaking special studies, including through the convening of meetings of groups of experts, aimed at a better understanding of the provisions of the Convention and facilitating their effective implementation;
(c) Preparing periodically special reports on specific topics of current interest, including those requested by intergovernmental conferences and bodies, and providing secretariat services to such conferences in accordance with decisions of the Assembly;
(d) Strengthening the existing system for the collection, compilation and dissemination of information on the law of the sea and related matters and developing, in cooperation with the relevant international organizations, a centralized system with integrated databases for providing coordinated information and advice, inter alia, on legislation and marine policy, taking into account chapter 17, paragraph 17.117 (e), of Agenda 21, 9/ as well as establishing a system for notifying Member States and relevant international organizations and bodies of information of general interest submitted by States and intergovernmental bodies;
(e) Ensuring that the institutional capacity of the Organization can respond to requests of States, in particular developing States, and competent international organizations for advice and assistance and identify additional sources of support for national, subregional and regional efforts to implement the Convention, taking into account the special needs of developing countries; 10/
(f) Establishing appropriate facilities, as required by the Convention, for the deposit by States of maps, charts and geographic coordinates concerning national maritime zones and establishing a system for their recording and publicity as part of an integrated programme on the law of the sea and ocean affairs, distinct from the usual depositary functions of the Secretary-General; 11/
(g) Preparing for and convening the meetings of States parties to the Convention and providing the necessary services for such meetings, in accordance with the Convention; 12/
(h) Preparing for the meetings of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and providing the necessary services to the Commission, in accordance with the Convention; 13/
16. Also requests the Secretary-General to make the
necessary arrangements within the integrated programme for administering
and supporting the conciliation and arbitration procedures for
the resolution of disputes, as required of him under the Convention;
14/
17. Calls upon all States and competent international organizations
to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General in the discharge
of his mandate;
18. Invites the competent international organizations to
assess the implications of the entry into force of the Convention
in their respective fields of competence and to identify additional
measures that may need to be taken as a consequence of its entry
into force with a view to ensuring a uniform, consistent and coordinated
approach to the implementation of the provisions of the Convention
throughout the United Nations system; 15/
19. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a comprehensive
report on the impact of the entry into force of the Convention
on related existing or proposed instruments and programmes throughout
the United Nations system, and to submit the report to the Assembly
at its fifty-first session;
20. Invites the competent international organizations,
as well as development and funding institutions, to take specific
account in their programmes and activities of the impact of the
entry into force of the Convention on the needs of States, especially
developing States, for technical and financial assistance, and
to support subregional or regional initiatives aimed at cooperation
in the effective implementation of the Convention;
21. Invites Member States and others in a position to do
so to contribute to the further development of the fellowship
programme and educational activities on the law of the sea established
by the Assembly in its resolution 35/116 of 10 December 1980;
22. Also requests the Secretary-General to take fully into
account the requirements under the Convention and the present
resolution in the preparation of an integrated programme on ocean
affairs and the law of the sea, which should be duly reflected
in the proposed programme budget for 1996-1997 and the medium-term
plan for 1998-2003;
23. Further requests the Secretary-General to report, in
accordance with paragraph 15 (a) above, to the Assembly annually
as from its fiftieth session on developments pertaining to the
implementation of the Convention, as well as on other developments
relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea, and on the implementation
of the present resolution;
24. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its
fiftieth session the item entitled "Law of the sea".
78th plenary meeting
6 December 1994
____________
1/ Official Records of the Third United Nations Conference on
the Law of the Sea, vol. XVII (United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.84.V.3), document A/CONF.62/122.
2/ Resolution 48/263, annex.
3/ See resolution 48/263, paragraph 8, and also Section 1, paragraph
14, of the Annex to the Agreement relating to the implementation
of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea of 10 December 1982.
4/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1
(Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1, Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1))
(United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda),
vol. I: Resolutions adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex
II.
5/ A/38/570, paras. 41 and 42.
6/ A/49/631 and Corr. 1.
7/ See resolution 37/66.
8/ Article 319 (2) (a) and 3 (a) (i) of the Convention.
9/ See also chapter 17, para. 17.116, of Agenda 21.
10/ See A/38/570, para. 42, and resolution 48/28, para. 14.
11/ See articles 16 (2), 47 (9), 75 (2), 76 (9) and 84 (2) of
the Convention.
12/ Article 319 (2) (e) of the Convention.
13/ Article 76 (8) and Annex II of the Convention.
14/ See Annexes V, VII and VIII of the Convention.
15/ See chapter 17 of Agenda 21, in particular paras. 17.116 and
17.117.