A/RES/64/71
Reiterating its serious concern at the current and projected adverse effects of
climate change on the marine environment and marine biodiversity, and
emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue,
Expressing concern that climate change continues to increase the severity and
incidence of coral bleaching throughout tropical seas and weakens the ability of
reefs to withstand ocean acidification, which could have serious and irreversible
negative effects on marine organisms, particularly corals, as well as to withstand
other pressures, including overfishing and pollution,
Reiterating its deep concern at the vulnerability of the environment and the
fragile ecosystems of the polar regions, including the Arctic Ocean and the Arctic
ice cap, particularly affected by the projected adverse effects of climate change,
Recognizing that there is a need for a more integrated approach and to further
study and promote measures for enhanced cooperation, coordination and
collaboration relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity
beyond areas of national jurisdiction,
Recognizing also that the realization of the benefits of the Convention could
be enhanced by international cooperation, technical assistance and advanced
scientific knowledge, as well as by funding and capacity-building,
Recognizing further that hydrographic surveys and nautical charting are
critical to the safety of navigation and life at sea, environmental protection,
including the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems, and the economics of the
global shipping industry, and encouraging further efforts towards electronic
charting, which not only provides significantly increased benefits for safe
navigation and management of ship movement, but also provides data and
information that can be used for sustainable fisheries activities and other sectoral
uses of the marine environment, the delimitation of maritime boundaries and
environmental protection,
Emphasizing that underwater archaeological, cultural and historical heritage,
including shipwrecks and watercrafts, holds essential information on the history of
humankind and that such heritage is a resource that needs to be protected and
preserved,
Noting with concern the continuing problem of transnational organized crime
committed at sea, including illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances, the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, and threats to
maritime safety and security, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, smuggling and
terrorist acts against shipping, offshore installations and other maritime interests,
and noting the deplorable loss of life and adverse impact on international trade,
energy security and the global economy resulting from such activities,
Noting the importance of the delineation of the outer limits of the continental
shelf beyond 200 nautical miles and that it is in the broader interest of the
international community that coastal States with a continental shelf beyond 200
nautical miles submit information on the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond
200 nautical miles to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (“the
Commission”), and welcoming the submissions to the Commission by a
considerable number of States Parties on the outer limits of their continental shelf
beyond 200 nautical miles, that the Commission has continued to fulfil its role,
3