A/RES/60/30
be maintained, as recognized also by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in chapter 17 of Agenda 21, 7
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
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 capacitybuilding 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, 8 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
substances, the loss or release of fishing gear and the dumping of hazardous waste
such as radioactive materials, nuclear waste and dangerous chemicals,
_______________
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
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, para. 36 (b).
2