Marine Science Affairs 



Table E-2 — United Nations Resolutions — Continued 



B. Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly (on the report of the First Com- 

 mittee— a/6964 ) 



2340 (XXII) 



Examination of the Question of the Reservation Exclusively for Peaceful 

 Purposes of the Sea-Bed and the Ocean Floor, and the Subsoil Thereof, 

 Underlying the High Seas Beyond the Limits of Present National 

 Jurisdiction, and the Uses of Their Resources in the Interests of Mankind 



The General Assembly, 



Having considered the item "Examination of the question of the reservation ex- 

 clusively for peaceful purposes of the seabed and the ocean floor, and the subsoil thereof, 

 underlying the high seas beyond the limits of present national jurisdiction, and the uses 

 of their resources in the interests of mankind", 



Noting that developing technology is making the seabed and the ocean floor, and 

 the subsoil thereof, accessible and exploitable for scientific, economic, military and 

 other purposes, 



Recognizing the common interest of mankind in the seabed and the ocean floor 

 which constitute the inajor portion of the area of this planet, 



Recognizing further that the exploration and use of the seabed and the ocean floor, 

 and the subsoil thereof, as contemplated in the title of the item, should be conducted 

 in accordance with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, 

 in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and for the benefit of 

 all mankind, 



Mindful of the provisions and practice of the law of the sea relating to this question. 



Mindful also of the importance of preserving the seabed and the ocean floor, 

 and the subsoil thereof, as contemplated in the title of the item, from actions and uses 

 which might be detrimental to the common interests of mankind. 



Desiring to foster greater international cooperation and coordination in the further 

 peaceful exploration and use of the seabed and the ocean floor, and the subsoil thereof, 

 as contemplated in the title of the item. 



Recalling the past and continuing valuable work on questions relating to this 

 matter carried out by the competent organs of the United Nations, the specialized 

 agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other intergovernmental orga- 

 nizations. 



Recalling further that surveys are being prepared by the Secretary-General in 

 response to General Assembly resolution 2172 (XXI) of 6 December 1966 and Economic 

 and Social Council resolution 1112 (XL) of 7 March 1966, 



1. Decides to establish an ad hoc Committee to study the peaceful uses of the 

 seabed and the ocean floor beyond the limits of national jurisdiction composed of 

 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Ceylon, Chile, 

 Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Iceland, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, 

 Liberia, Libya, Malta, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Rumania, Senegal, Somalia, 

 Thailand, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Arab Republic, the 

 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Republic of 

 Tanzania, the United States of America, and Yugoslavia, to study the scope and various 

 aspects of this item ; 



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