A/RES/56/12 accordance with the Convention, the Agreement and the Regulations on Prospecting and Exploration for Polymetallic Nodules in the Area;9 14. Notes the ongoing elaboration of recommendations for the guidance of contractors to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from activities in the Area, and notes that the Council of the Authority will continue to consider issues relating to regulations for prospecting and exploration for polymetallic sulphides and cobalt-rich crusts in the Area at the next session of the Authority, to be held in Kingston from 5 to 16 August 2002; VI. Effective functioning of the Authority and the Tribunal 15. Appeals to all States parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions to the Authority and to the Tribunal in full and on time, and appeals also to all former provisional members of the Authority to pay any outstanding contributions; 16. Calls upon States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the Tribunal 10 and to the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the Authority;11 VII. The continental shelf 17. Notes with satisfaction the work of the Commission and its readiness to receive submissions by coastal States regarding the establishment of the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, and encourages concerned States and relevant international organizations and institutions to consider developing and making available training courses to assist States in the preparation of such submissions; 18. Takes note of the decision of the eleventh Meeting of States Parties to the Convention that, in the case of a State party for which the Convention entered into force before 13 May 1999, it is understood that the ten-year time period referred to in article 4 of annex II to the Convention shall be taken to have commenced on 13 May 1999; 12 19. Encourages States parties that are in a position to do so to make every effort to make submissions to the Commission within the time period established by the Convention; 20. Approves the convening by the Secretary-General of the tenth session of the Commission in New York starting on 25 March 2002, of a duration of three weeks in the event of a submission being filed, or of one week, depending on the workload of the Commission, of the eleventh session from 24 to 28 June 2002, and of the twelfth session from 26 to 30 August 2002; _______________ 9 The contract with the remaining registered pioneer investor is expected to be issued in the very near future. 10 SPLOS/25. 11 ISBA/4/A/8, annex. 12 SPLOS/72. 6