does not conflict with the benefit of the international com- 

 munity. 



Colombia. The Colombian government expressed alarm 

 over the possibility of scientifically and technologically ad- 

 vanced nations unilaterally exploiting immense ocean resources. 

 It strongly endorsed study of an international regime and agree- 

 ments for the allocation of profits to developing countries. 



Denmark. The Danish government stressed the impor- 

 tance of defining the outer limits of national jurisdiction. It 

 proposed an international regime much less structured than 

 the Malta proposal. This regime would not allow extension of 

 sovereignty or non-peaceful uses. The States would inform the 

 Secretary-General of the U. N. of their activities on the ocean 

 floor, and a system might be devised to avoid possible conflicts. 

 Furthermore, there might be some delimitation of the activities 

 which could be undertaken by States, inter-governmental organ- 

 izations, and by private individuals or companies. 



Italy. In addition to the political, legal, economic, scien- 

 tific, and military aspects, the Italian government suggested 

 that future studies be concerned with protection against pollu- 

 tion, the use of sea flora as food, and the status of enclosed 

 seas vis-a-vis open seas. 



Ad Hoc Committee on the Sea-Bed 



As a result of the debate on the Malta proposal, the Gen- 

 eral Assembly established by a unanimous vote the Ad Hoc 

 Committee to Study the Peaceful Uses of the Sea-Bed and the 

 Ocean Floor Beyond the Limits of National Jurisdiction. Thus 

 with the adoption of resolution 2340 (XXII) on December 18, 



1967, the U. N. initiated a study group whose report recently 

 resulted in the creation of a permanent Committee. 



The Ad Hoc Committee was requested to prepare, in co- 

 operation with the Secretary-General, a study for consideration 

 at the twenty-third session of the General Assembly. The three 

 major items requested were: 



1. A survey of the past and present activities of the U. N. 

 and other intergovernmental bodies with regard to the 

 sea-bed. 



2. An account of the scientific, technical, economic, legal 

 and other aspects. 



3. An indication regarding practical means to promote 

 international cooperation in the exploration, conserva- 

 tion, and use of the sea-bed and its resources. 



Composed of representatives of 35 Member States, the Ad 

 Hoc Committee held sessions in March, June, and August of 



1968. A working group was established to consider the techni- 

 cal and economic aspects and another was formed to consider 



