A/RES/54/31
Page 3
Recognizing the positive benefits for the marine environment that can be achieved through cooperative
work within the regional seas programme of the United Nations Environment Programme,
Expressing its concern at the increasing threat to shipping from piracy and armed robbery at sea and
its appreciation and support for the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization in this area,
Reaffirming the importance of enhancing the safety of navigation as well as the necessity for
cooperation in this regard,
Emphasizing the importance of the protection of the underwater cultural heritage, and recalling in this
context the provisions of article 303 of the Convention,
Expressing its appreciation once again to the Secretary-General for his efforts in support of the
Convention and in its effective implementation, including providing assistance in the functioning of the
institutions created by the Convention,
Noting the responsibilities of the Secretary-General under the Convention and related resolutions of the
General Assembly, in particular resolutions 49/28 and 52/26, and emphasizing the importance of the
performance of such responsibilities for the effective and consistent implementation of the Convention,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, 6 and reaffirming the importance of the annual
consideration and review by the General Assembly of the overall developments pertaining to the
implementation of the Convention, as well as of other developments relating to the law of the sea and ocean
affairs,
1. Calls upon all States that have not done so, in order to achieve the goal of universal participation,
to become parties to the Convention and the Agreement;
2.
Reaffirms the unified character of the Convention;
3. Calls upon States to harmonize as a matter of priority their national legislation with the provisions
of the Convention, to ensure the consistent application of those provisions and to ensure also that any
declarations or statements that they have made or make when signing, ratifying or acceding are in conformity
with the Convention and to withdraw any of their declarations or statements that are not in conformity;
4. Encourages States parties to the Convention to deposit with the Secretary-General charts and lists
of geographical coordinates, as provided for in the Convention;
5. Urges the international community to assist, as appropriate, developing countries, including small
island developing States, in the preparation and publication of charts under articles 16, 22, 47, 75 and 84 and
annex II to the Convention;
6
A/54/429 and Corr.1.
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