Oceans and the law of the sea A/RES/70/235 219. Encourages States to consider becoming parties to the 2010 Protocol to the 1996 International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea; 98 X Marine biodiversity 220. Reaffirms its central role relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction; 221. Notes the work and contributions of States and relevant intergovernmental organizations and bodies in the context of the Ad Hoc Open ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction; 222. Recalls, in this regard, its resolution 69/292, entitled “Development of an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction”; 223. Recognizes the abundance and diversity of marine genetic resources and their value in terms of the benefits, goods and services they can p rovide; 224. Also recognizes the importance of research on marine genetic resources for the purpose of enhancing the scientific understanding, potential use and application, and enhanced management of marine ecosystems; 225. Encourages States and international organizations, including through bilateral, regional and global cooperation programmes and partnerships, to continue in a sustainable and comprehensive way to support, promote and strengthen capacity-building activities, in particular in developing countries, in the field of marine scientific research, taking into account, in particular, the need to create greater taxonomic capabilities; 226. Notes the work under the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity 99 and the Convention on Biological Diversity elaborated programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, 100 and, while reiterating the central role of the General Assembly relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, notes with appreciation the complementary technical and scientific work done by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity; 227. Reaffirms the need for States, individually or through competent international organizations, to urgently consider ways to integrate and improve, based on the best available scientific information and the precautionary approach and in accordance with the Convention and related agreements and instruments, the management of risks to the marine biodiversity of seamounts, cold water corals, hydrothermal vents and certain other underwater features; 228. Calls upon States and international organizations to urgently take further action to address, in accordance with international law, de structive practices that _______________ 98 International Maritime Organization, document LEG/CONF.17/10. See A/51/312, annex II, decision II/10. 100 United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/7/21, annex, decision VII/5, annex I. 99 39/53