A/RES/70/235 Oceans and the law of the sea IV Peaceful settlement of disputes 49. Notes with satisfaction the continued and significant contribution of the Tribunal to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in accordance with Part XV of the Convention, and underlines the important role and authority of the Tribunal concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention and the Part XI Agreement; 50. Pays tribute to the important and long-standing role of the International Court of Justice with regard to the peaceful settlement of disputes concerning the law of the sea; 51. Notes that States parties to an international agreement related to the purposes of the Convention may submit to, inter alia, the Tribunal or the International Court of Justice any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of that agreement submitted in accordance with that agreement, and also notes the possibility, provided for in the Statutes of the Tribunal and the Court, to submit disputes to a chamber; 52. Encourages States Parties to the Convention that have not yet done so to consider making a written declaration, choosing from the means set out in article 287 of the Convention for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention and the Part XI Agreement, bearing in mind the comprehensive character of the dispute settlement mechanism provided for in Part XV of the Convention; V The Area 53. Reiterates the importance of the ongoing elaboration and standardization by the Authority, pursuant to article 145 of the Convention, of rules, regulations and procedures to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment, for, inter alia, the protection and conservation of the natural resources of the Area and for the prevention of damage to the flora and fauna of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from activities in the Area; 54. Notes that, as at 31 July 2015, the Authority had approved 27 plans of work for exploration for marine mineral resources in the Area and had entered into 15-year contracts for exploration for polymetallic nodules, for polymetallic sulphides and for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts; 55. Authority extension paragraph Notes with appreciation the decision taken by the Council of the at its twenty-first session to adopt the procedures and criteria for of an approved plan of work for exploration pursuant to section 1, 9, of the annex to the Part XI Agreement; 29 56. Encourages the Authority to continue its work on the exploitation regulations as a matter of priority and in accordance with the list of priority deliverables endorsed by the Council of the Authority; 30 _______________ 29 30 14/53 ISBA/21/C/19. See ISBA/21/C/20.