A/RES/59/24 VI The Area 23. Notes with satisfaction the progress of the discussions on issues relating to the regulations for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts in the Area, and reiterates the importance of the ongoing elaboration by the International Seabed Authority (“the Authority”), pursuant to article 145 of the Convention, of rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment, the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Area and the prevention of damage to its flora and fauna from harmful effects that may arise from activities in the Area; 24. Takes note of the Workshop for the establishment of environmental baselines at deep seafloor cobalt-rich crusts and deep seabed polymetallic sulphide mine sites in the Area for the purpose of evaluating the likely effects of exploration and exploitation on the marine environment, held in Kingston from 6 to 10 September 2004; VII Effective functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal 25. Appeals to all States parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions to the Authority and to the Tribunal in full and on time; 26. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Tribunal 9 and to the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Authority; 10 VIII The continental shelf and the work of the Commission 27. Encourages States parties to the Convention that are in a position to do so to make every effort to make submissions to the Commission regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles within the time period established by the Convention, taking into account the decision of the eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention; 11 28. Notes with satisfaction the progress in the work of the Commission, 12 especially that the consideration of the first submissions regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles has begun, and that a number of States have advised of their intention to make submissions in the near future; 29. Approves the convening by the Secretary-General of the fifteenth session of the Commission in New York from 4 to 22 April 2005, and of the sixteenth session of the Commission from 29 August to 16 September 2005, on the understanding that the second and third weeks of each session will be used by the Commission for a technical examination of submissions at the Geographic _______________ 9 SPLOS/25. ISBA/4/A/8, annex. 11 SPLOS/72. 12 See the statement by the Chairman of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on the progress of work in the Commission (CLCS/42). 10 7