A/RES/59/24 XI Marine science 81. Calls upon States, individually, or in collaboration with each other or with relevant international organizations and bodies, to improve understanding and knowledge of the deep sea, including, in particular, the extent and vulnerability of deep sea biodiversity and ecosystems, by increasing their marine scientific research activities in accordance with the Convention; 82. Notes the potential for gas hydrates as one source for energy development, as well as the possible associated risks, including those in the context of climate change, and encourages States and, if appropriate, the Authority and the international scientific community to continue to cooperate in deepening the understanding of the issues and in investigating the feasibility, methodology, safety and environmental impacts of the extraction of gas hydrates from the seabed, their distribution and their use; 83. Also notes the potential for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts and polymetallic sulphides as important sources of minerals, and in this context encourages States, the Authority and the scientific community to cooperate to explore this potential and to minimize the environmental impacts of the exploration; XII Regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects 84. Takes note of the report on the International Workshop on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects (“the regular process”), 42 including its draft conclusions, convened to consider and review the draft document prepared by the group of experts; 85. Recognizes the urgent need to initiate a start-up phase, the “Assessment of Assessments”, as a preparatory stage towards the establishment of the regular process provided for in the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation3 and resolutions 57/141 and 58/240; 86. Requests the Secretary-General to convene the second International Workshop on the regular process for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio-economic aspects, from 13 to 15 June 2005 with representatives from States, relevant organizations, agencies and programmes of the United Nations system, other competent intergovernmental organizations and relevant non-governmental organizations, to continue considering issues relating to the establishment of the process, including the scope of the process and a task force to initiate the start-up phase, the “Assessment of Assessments”; 87. Also requests the Secretary-General to report on progress relating to establishment of the aforementioned regular process in his annual report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session; _______________ 42 A/59/126. 15