A/RES/57/141 Convention, and requests the Secretary-General to continue to update and circulate lists of these conciliators and arbitrators on a regular basis; V. The Area 14. Notes with satisfaction the first examination by the Council of the International Seabed Authority (“the Authority”) of annual reports on prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules in the Area submitted by contractors to the Authority; 15. Notes the preliminary discussion of issues relating to the regulations for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich crusts in the Area; 16. Reiterates the importance of the ongoing elaboration by 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; VI. Effective functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal 17. 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, and appeals also to all former provisional members of the Authority to pay any outstanding contributions; 18. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Tribunal 10 and to the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Authority; 11 VII. The continental shelf and the work of the Commission 19. Notes with satisfaction the progress in the work of the Commission, especially that the consideration of submissions regarding the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles has begun with receipt of the first submission, made by the Russian Federation on 20 December 2001; 20. Encourages States parties that are in a position to do so to make every effort to make submissions to the Commission within the time period established by the Convention, taking into account the decision of the eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention; 12 21. Encourages States and relevant international organizations and institutions to consider developing and making available training courses to assist developing States in the preparation of such submissions, based on the outline for a five-day training course 13 prepared by the Commission in order to facilitate the preparation of submissions in accordance with its Scientific and Technical Guidelines; 14 _______________ 10 SPLOS/25. ISBA/4/A/8, annex. 12 SPLOS/72. 13 CLCS/24 and Corr.1. 14 CLCS/11 and Corr.1 and Add.1 and Corr.1. 11 5