Marine Science Affairs 



Appendix C-3 — Resolutions Adopted by tlie Economic and Social 

 Council — Continued 



4. Requests the Secretary-General to follow closely new developments which 

 may occur in fields of marine mineral resources exploration, evaluation and exploita- 

 tion beyond the continental shelf and the possible implications thereof, and to report 

 when appropriate to the Council ; 



5. Invites the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to keep 

 under review developments which may occur in the field of food resources of the sea 

 beyond the continental shelf. 



August 2, 1968 

 B. 1381 (XLV) 



Long-range programme for the exploration of the sea 



The Economic and Social Council, 



Recognizing that the ocean holds promise of becoming a more important source of 

 food and minerals for a rapidly developing world, and that man's knowledge of the 

 ocean and its resources is exceedingly limited. 



Having considered the report entitled "Resources of the sea beyond the continen- 

 tal shelf" prepared by the Secretary-General under Council resolution 1112 (XL) and 

 the report entitled "Marine Science and Technology" prepared by him under General 

 Assembly resolution 2172 (XXI) of 6 December 1966, 



Taking into account the activities in the fields of research, exploration and de- 

 scription of the oceans at present being undertaken by the United Nations, the United 

 Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and its Intergovernmental 

 Oceanographic Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United 

 Nations and its Committee on Fisheries, the World Meteorological Organization and 

 its Panel on Meteorological Aspects of Ocean Affairs, other specialized agencies and 

 intergovernmental organizations concerned, various governments, universities, scien- 

 tific and technological institutions, and other non-governmental organizations, 



Being aware of the complexity and variability of the marine environment and that 

 scientific investigations of vast scope will be necessary if knowledge of this environ- 

 ment is to increase substantially within a reasonably short period. 



Convinced that the nations of the world should join together, with due respect 

 for existing national jurisdictions, in a common long-term programme of exploration 

 of the ocean as a potential source of resources, which could eventually be used for 

 meeting the needs of all mankind, with due recognition of those developing countries. 



Noting the endorsement by the Bureau and Consultative Council of the Inter- 

 governmental Oceanographic Commission at its eighth meeting, held in London from 

 10 to 13 June 1968, of the concept of an expanded accelerated, long-term and sus- 

 tained programme of exploration of the oceans and their resources, including inter- 

 national programmes, planned and co-ordinated on a world-wide basis, expanded in- 

 ternational exchange of data from national programmes, and international efforts to 

 strengthen the research capabilities of all interested nations, 



1. Takes note with appreciation of the Secretary-General's repKjrt entitled "Ma- 

 rine Science and Technology", and of annex V, relating to marine science and its 

 application, to the thirty-fourth report of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordi- 

 nation, 



2. Takes note further of the steps which are being taken under the Intergovern- 

 mental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and 

 Cultural Organization to give consideration to the future administrative and financial 

 structure of the Commission, as well as to the content of an expanded programme of 

 exploration of the oceans and their resources ; 



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