A/RES/62/215 9 November 2007, which endorsed the June 2007 “Statement of concern” of their Scientific Groups; 54 recognized that it was within the purview of each State to consider proposals on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the London Convention and Protocol; urged States to use the utmost caution when considering proposals for large-scale ocean fertilization operations; and took the view that, given the present state of knowledge regarding ocean fertilization, such large-scale operations were currently not justified; 55 53F 54F 98. Encourages States to support understanding of ocean iron fertilization; the further study and enhance 99. Reaffirms paragraph 119 of resolution 61/222 regarding ecosystem approaches and oceans, including the proposed elements of an ecosystem approach, means to achieve implementation of an ecosystem approach and requirements for improved application of an ecosystem approach, and in this regard: (a) Notes that continued environmental degradation in many parts of the world and increasing competing demands require an urgent response and the setting of priorities for management interventions aimed at conserving ecosystem integrity; (b) Notes that ecosystem approaches to ocean management should be focused on managing human activities in order to maintain and, where needed, restore ecosystem health to sustain goods and environmental services, provide social and economic benefits for food security, sustain livelihoods in support of international development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, and conserve marine biodiversity; (c) Recalls that States should be guided in the application of ecosystem approaches by a number of existing instruments, in particular the Convention, which sets out the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas, and its implementing Agreements, as well as other commitments, such as those contained in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Summit on Sustainable Development call for the application of an ecosystem approach by 2010; (d) Encourages States to cooperate and coordinate their efforts and take, individually or jointly, as appropriate, all measures, in conformity with international law, including the Convention and other applicable instruments, to address impacts on marine ecosystems within and beyond areas of national jurisdiction, taking into account the integrity of the ecosystems concerned; 100. Invites States, in particular those States with advanced technology and marine capabilities, to explore prospects for improving cooperation with, and assistance to, developing States, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as coastal African States, with a view to better integrating into national policies and programmes sustainable and effective development in the marine sector; 101. Encourages the competent international organizations, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank and other funding agencies to consider expanding their programmes within their respective fields of competence for assistance to developing countries and to coordinate their efforts, including in the allocation and application of Global Environment Facility funding; _______________ 54 55 18 See International Maritime Organization, document LC-LP.1/Circ.14. See International Maritime Organization, document LC 29/17.