A/RES/67/205
Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations
Taking into account also the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation
of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island
Developing States, 8
Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome, 9
Recalling also the Convention for the Protection and Development of the
Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, signed at Cartagena de Indias,
Colombia, on 24 March 1983, 10 and the protocols thereto, which contain the
definition of the wider Caribbean region of which the Caribbean Sea is part,
Reaffirming the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 11 which
provides the legal framework for ocean activities, and emphasizing its fundamental
character, 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,
Recalling the Convention on Biological Diversity 12 and other biodiversityrelated conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 13 and the Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, 14
Emphasizing the importance of national, regional and global action and
cooperation in the marine sector as recognized by the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development in chapter 17 of Agenda 21, 15
Recalling the relevant work done by the International Maritime Organization,
Considering that the Caribbean Sea area includes a large number of States,
countries and territories, most of which are developing countries and small island
developing States that are ecologically fragile and socially and economically
vulnerable and are also affected, inter alia, by their limited capacity, narrow
resource base, need for financial resources, high levels of poverty and the resulting
social problems, and the challenges and opportunities of globalization and trade
liberalization,
Recognizing that the Caribbean Sea has unique biodiversity and highly fragile
ecosystems,
Recognizing also that the Caribbean has been shown to be the most tourismdependent region in the world relative to its size,
Noting that the Caribbean Sea, when compared with all other large marine
ecosystems, is surrounded by the largest number of countries in the world,
_______________
8
Report of the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the
Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, Port Louis, Mauritius,
10–14 January 2005 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.II.A.4 and corrigendum), chap. I,
resolution 1, annex II.
9
Resolution 60/1.
10
United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1506, No. 25974.
11
Ibid., vol. 1833, No. 31363.
12
Ibid., vol. 1760, No. 30619.
13
Ibid., vol. 993, No. 14537.
14
Ibid., vol. 996, No. 14583.
15
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.
2/6