26 July 1991

32nd plenary meeting

Cooperation in fisheries in Africa

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1990/77 of 27 July 1990,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 45/184 of 21 December 1990, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit, in close consultation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to the Assembly at its forty-seventh session, through the Economic and Social Council at its regular session of 1992, a report on cooperation in fisheries in Africa, including recommendations for its enhancement,

Aware of the importance of regional agreements for the promotion and development of fishery resources,

Concerned about the need to encourage these initiatives, which are directed towards attaining food self-sufficiency, improving nutrition, diversifying exports and promoting employment,

Stressing the importance of the preservation and conservation of fishery resources through regional cooperation and rational management compatible with the North-South framework of cooperation, which safeguards the interests of both the African countries of the Atlantic region and the developed countries that seek those resources,

Bearing in mind the fact that the fisheries sector can foster the development and economic growth of developing countries,

1. Expresses satisfaction with the significant progress made by the follow-up committee of the Ministerial Conference on Cooperation in Fisheries among the African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean;

2. Takes note with satisfaction of the convening, under the chairmanship of Senegal, of the second session of the Ministerial Conference on Cooperation in Fisheries among the African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean at Dakar from 1 to 5 July 1991, during which a number of relevant decisions were made and certain programmes prepared;

3. Welcomes the adoption by the Conference of a Regional Convention designed to regulate and strengthen cooperation among those States;

4. Takes note of the establishment of a secretariat in charge of the follow-up and implementation of that Convention;

5. Appeals to the entire international community to follow the rational management of fishery resources, including stock maintenance, in the interest both of the African States bordering the Atlantic Ocean and of the developed countries involved in exploiting those resources;

6. Requests the organizations of the United Nations system, donor States and agencies involved in providing assistance and funding to contribute generously, as appropriate, to the implementation of the programmes and projects prepared during the Conference;

7. Invites the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in consultation with the Chairman of the Conference, to submit a report, as appropriate, to the Economic and Social Council on the progress made and the results obtained.