A/RES/54/33 Page 2 be consistent, as recognized also by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in chapter 17 of Agenda 21,2 Recognizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Convention, Convinced of the importance of the annual consideration and review of ocean affairs and the law of the sea by the General Assembly, as the global institution having the competence to undertake such a review, Convinced also of the need, building on existing arrangements, for an integrated approach to all legal, economic, social, environmental and other relevant aspects of oceans and seas and the need to improve coordination and cooperation at both the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels, Bearing in mind the necessity of strengthening existing structures and mandates within the United Nations system and the need to avoid duplication or overlapping of debates that take place in other forums, Recognizing the important role that international organizations have in relation to ocean affairs and in promoting sustainable development of the oceans and seas and their resources, Recognizing also the significant contribution that major groups, as identified in Agenda 21, can make to this goal, Welcoming the review of the sectoral theme of “Oceans and seas” by the Commission on Sustainable Development, in particular those aspects related to international coordination and cooperation, 1. Endorses the recommendations made by the Commission on Sustainable Development through the Economic and Social Council under the sectoral theme of “Oceans and seas” regarding international coordination and cooperation;3 2. Decides, consistent with the legal framework provided by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the goals of chapter 17 of Agenda 21,1 to establish an open-ended informal consultative process in order to facilitate the annual review by the General Assembly, in an effective and constructive manner, of developments in ocean affairs by considering the Secretary-General’s report on oceans and the law of the sea and by suggesting particular issues to be considered by it, with an emphasis on identifying areas where coordination and cooperation at the intergovernmental and inter-agency levels should be enhanced; 3. Also decides that the meetings within the framework of the consultative process will be organized as follows: 2 Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3–14 June 1992, (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I, Resolutions adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex II. 3 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1999, Supplement No. 9 (E/1999/29), chap. I, sect. C, decision 7/1, paras. 37–45. /...