A/RES/74/19
Oceans and the law of the sea
science and the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable
Development; 4
345. Recognizes the role of the Informal Consultative Process as a unique forum
for comprehensive discussions on issues related to oceans and the law of the sea,
consistent with the framework provided by the Convention and chapter 17 of
Agenda 21, 6 and that the perspective of the three pillars of sustainable development
should be further enhanced in the examination of the selected topics;
346. Welcomes the work of the Informal Consultative Process and its
contribution to improving coordination and cooperation between States and
strengthening the annual debate of the General Assembly on oceans and the law of
the sea by effectively drawing attention to key issues and current trends;
347. Also welcomes efforts to improve and focus the work of the Informal
Consultative Process, and in that respect recognizes the primary role of the Informal
Consultative Process in integrating knowledge, the exchange of opinions among
multiple stakeholders and coordination among competent agencies, and enhancing
awareness of topics, including emerging issues, while promoting the three pillars of
sustainable development;
348. Recalls the need to strengthen and improve the efficiency of the Informal
Consultative Process, and encourages States, intergovernmental organizations and
programmes to provide guidance to the Co-Chairs to this effect, particularly before
and during the preparatory meeting for the Informal Consultative Process;
349. Requests the Secretary-General to convene, in accordance with paragraphs
2 and 3 of resolution 54/33, the twenty-first meeting of the Informal Consultative
Process, in New York for eight meetings during the week of 22 to 26 June 2020, to
provide it with the facilities necessary for the performance of its work, including
documentation, and to arrange for support to be provided by the Division, in
cooperation with other relevant parts of the Secretariat, as appropriate;
350. Expresses its continued serious concern regarding the lack of resources
available in the voluntary trust fund established pursuant to resolution 55/7 for the
purpose of assisting developing countries, in particular least developed countries,
small island developing States and landlocked developing States, in attending the
meetings of the Informal Consultative Process, and urges States, international
financial institutions, donor agencies, intergovernmental organizations,
non-governmental organizations and natural and juridical persons to make additional
contributions to the trust fund;
351. Decides that those representatives from developing countries who are
invited by the Co-Chairs, in consultation with Governments, to make presentations
during the meetings of the Informal Consultative Process shall receive priority
consideration in the disbursement of funds from the voluntary trust fund established
pursuant to resolution 55/7 in order to cover the costs of their travel, and shall also
be eligible to receive daily subsistence allowance subject to the availability of funds
after the travel costs of all other eligible representatives from those count ries
mentioned in paragraph 350 above have been covered;
352. Also decides that, in its deliberations on the report of the SecretaryGeneral on oceans and the law of the sea, the Informal Consultative Process shall
focus its discussions at its twenty-first meeting, in 2020, on the theme “Sea-level rise
and its impacts”;
54/57
19-21313