A/RES/55/203 Taking note of resolution GC(44)/RES/17 of 22 September 2000 of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency on safety of transport of radioactive materials, 8 Mindful of the diversity and dynamic interaction and competition among socioeconomic activities for the use of the coastal areas and the marine environment and their resources, Mindful also of the efforts of the Caribbean countries to address in a more holistic manner the sectoral issues relating to the management of the Caribbean Sea area and, in so doing, to promote an integrated management approach to the Caribbean Sea area in the context of sustainable development, through a regional cooperative effort among Caribbean countries, Noting the efforts of the Caribbean countries, within the framework of the Association of Caribbean States, to develop further support for their concept of the Caribbean Sea as an area of special importance, in the context of sustainable development and in conformity with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,5 Cognizant of the importance of the Caribbean Sea to present and future generations and its importance to the heritage, the continuing economic well-being and sustenance of people living in the area, and the urgent need for the countries of the region to take appropriate steps for its preservation and protection, with the support of the international community, 1. Recognizes the importance of adopting an integrated management approach to the Caribbean Sea area in the context of sustainable development; 2. Encourages the further promotion of an integrated management approach to the Caribbean Sea area in the context of sustainable development, in accordance with the recommendations contained in resolution 54/225, as well as the provisions of Agenda 21, 9 the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, 3 the outcome of the twenty-second special session of the General Assembly4 and the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development, and in conformity with relevant international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea;5 3. Also encourages the continued efforts of the Caribbean countries to develop further an integrated management approach to the Caribbean Sea area in the context of sustainable development and, in this regard, to continue to develop regional cooperation in the management of their ocean affairs in the context of sustainable development, to address such issues as land-based pollution, pollution from ships and the diversity and dynamic interaction of, and competition among, socio-economic activities for the use of the coastal areas and the marine environment and their resources; 4. Calls upon the United Nations system and the international community to assist Caribbean countries and their regional organizations in their efforts to ensure the protection of the Caribbean Sea from degradation as a result of pollution from 8 See International Atomic Energy Agency, Resolutions and Other Decisions of the General Conference, Forty-fourth Regular Session, 18-22 September 2000 (GC(44)/RES/DEC(2000). 9 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex II. 3