A/RES/55/203 ships, in particular through the illegal release of oil and other harmful substances, from illegal dumping or accidental release of hazardous waste, including radioactive materials, nuclear waste and dangerous chemicals, in violation of relevant international rules and standards, as well as pollution from land-based activities; 5. Calls upon all relevant States to take the necessary steps to bring into force, and to support the implementation of, the Protocol Concerning Pollution from Land-based Sources and Activities,7 in order to protect the marine environment of the Caribbean Sea from land-based pollution and degradation; 6. Calls upon all States to become contracting parties to relevant international agreements to promote the protection of the marine environment of the Caribbean Sea from pollution and degradation from ships; 7. Invites intergovernmental organizations within the United Nations system to continue efforts to assist Caribbean countries to become parties to the relevant conventions and protocols and to implement them effectively; 8. Calls upon the international community, the United Nations system and the multilateral financial institutions, including the Global Environment Facility, within its mandate, to support actively the above-mentioned approach; 9. Calls upon Member States to improve as a matter of priority their emergency response capabilities and the containment of environmental damage, particularly in the Caribbean Sea, in the event of natural disasters or of an accident or incident relating to maritime navigation; 10. Requests the Secretary-General to report to it at its fifty-seventh session, under the sub-item entitled “Further implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States” of the item entitled “Environment and sustainable development”, on the implementation of the present resolution, taking into account the views expressed by relevant regional organizations. 87th plenary meeting 20 December 2000 4