Marine Science Affairs 



Appendix C-1 — Resolutions Adopted by United Nations General 

 Assembly — Continued 



C. 2467B (XXIII) 



Prevention of Pollution 



The General Assembly, 



Recognizing that it is in the common interest of all nations that the explora- 

 tion and exploitation of the resources of the sea-bed and the ocean floor, and the 

 subsoil thereof, should be conducted in such a manner as to avoid infringement of 

 the other interests and established rights of nations with respect to the uses of the 

 sea, 



Mindful of the threat to the marine environment presented by pollution and 

 other hazardous and harmful effects which might result from exploration and exploi- 

 tation of the areas under consideration, 



Desiring to promote eflFective measures of prevention and control of such pol- 

 lution and to allay the serious damage which might be caused to the marine environ- 

 ment and, in particular, to the living marine resources which constitute one of 

 mankind's most valuable food resources, 



Recognizing the complex problem of ensuring effective co-ordination in the wide 

 field of environmental pollution and in the more specific area of prevention and con- 

 trol of marine pollution, 



Noting with satisfaction the measures being undertaken by the Inter-Govern- 

 mental Maritime Consultative Organization to prevent and control pollution of the 

 sea by preparing new draft conventions and other instruments for that purpose, 



Recalling, in this regard, the progress achieved towards such concerted action 

 by inter-governmental bodies and the establishment, by the Food and Agriculture 

 Organization of the United Nations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and 

 Cultural Organization and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the 

 Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization and the World Meteorologi- 

 cal Organization, of a Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine 

 Pollution, 



Recalling further the competence and continuing valuable contributions of the 

 other inter-governmental organizations concerned, 



1. Welcomes the adoption by States of appropriate safeguards against the dangers 

 of pollution and other hazardous and harmful effects that might arise from the ex- 

 ploration and exploitation of the resources of the sea-bed and the ocean floor and the 

 subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, notably in the form of 

 concrete measures of international co-operation for the purpose of reaHzing this aim; 



2. Considers that in connexion with the elaboration of principles underlying pos- 

 sible future international agreements for the area concerned, a study should be made 

 with a view to clarifying all aspects of protection of the living and other resources of 

 the sea-bed and ocean floor, the superjacent waters and the adjacent coasts against 

 the consequences of pollution and other hazardous and harmful effects arising from 

 various modalities of such exploration and exploitation; 



3. Considers further that such a study should take into consideration the impor- 

 tance of minimizing interference between the many means by which the wealth of the 

 ocean space may be harvested, and that it should extend to the examination of the 

 circumstances in which measures may be underiaken by States for the protection of 

 the living and other resources of those areas in which pollution detrimental to those 

 resources has occurred or is imminent; 



4. Requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the appropriate and com.- 

 petent body or bodies presently undertaking co-ordinated work in the field of marine 

 pollution control, to undertake the study referred to in paragraphs 2 and 3 above 



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