26 July 1985

52nd plenary meeting

Economic and technical aspects of marine affairs

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1980/68 of 25 July 1980 on co-operation in the uses of the sea and coastal area development, and 1983/48 of 28 July 1983 on marine affairs in response to which the Secretary-General has submitted to the Council, at its second regular session of 1985, a report on economic and technical trends and developments in marine affairs,

Convinced that the resources of the ocean represent an important existing and potential contribution to the development process,

Noting that an increasing number of Member States, especially those that are developing countries, have embarked on activities designed to make full, rational use of the resources of the ocean, in particular in the exclusive economic zone,

Noting also that in accordance with the programme on economic and technical aspects of marine affairs contained in chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period 1984-1989, the Secretary-General has directed his efforts specifically towards assisting Member States in developing and managing ocean resources in their exclusive economic zones,

1. Endorses the efforts of the Secretary-General to make the programme on economic and technical aspects of marine affairs responsive to the growing needs of Member States;

2. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on economic and technical trends and developments in marine affairs;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to pursue, in close co-operation with all the competent organizations of the United Nations system, activities relating to the economic and technical aspects of marine affairs, and to report on new developments in this area to the Council at its second regular session of 1989;

4. Further requests the Secretary-General, within the mandate and terms of reference of the United Nations regarding the economic and technical aspects of marine affairs, to submit to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1987 a report that identifies specific and practical needs and problems encountered by countries, in particular developing countries, in the management of the exclusive economic zone and the development of its resources, as well as the types of activities and approaches to their implementation required for countries, with the support of the United Nations, to respond most effectively to those needs and problems, and to transmit to the General Assembly at its forty-second session the conclusions and recommendations of the Council.