Recalling its resolutions 3 7 /66 of 3 December I 982, .18/ 59 A of 14 December 1983 and 39/73 of 13 Deccmber 1984, regarding the law of the sea,
Taking note ofthe increasing and overwhelming support for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,50 as evidenced, ínter afia, by the one hundred and fifty-nine signatures as of 9 December 1984, the closing date for signature, and twenty-four ofthe sixty ratifications or accessions required for entry into force of the Convention,
Considering that, in its resolution 2749 (XXV) of 17 December 1970, it proclaimed that the sea-bed and ocean floor, and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits ofnational jurisdiction, as well as the resources of the arca, are the common heritage of mankind,
Recalling that the Convcntion provides the régime to be applied to the Area and its resources.
Further recalling the Declaration adopted by the Preparatory Commission for the Intemational Sea-Bed Authority and for the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on 30 August 1985,51 Seriously concerned at any attempt to underminc the Convention and the relatcd resolutions adopted at the Third Unitcd Nations Conference on the Law ofthc Sea, 52
Recognizing that, as stated in the third preambular paragraph of the Convention, the problems of ocean spacc are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a whole,
Convinced that it is important to safeguard the unified character of the Convention and relatcd resolutions
adopted therewith and to refrain from any action to apply
their provisions selectively, in a manner inconsistent with their object and purpose,
Emphasizing the need for States to ensure consistent application of the Convention, as well as the need for harmonization of national legislation with the provisions of the Convention,
Recognizing a/so the need for co-operation in the early and effective implementation by the Preparatory Commission of resolution II of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, 52
Noting the increasing needs of countries, especially developing countries, for information, advice and assistance in the implementation ofthe Convention and in their developmental process for the full realization of the benefits of the comprehensive legal régime established by the Convention,
Noting a/so that the Preparatory Commission has decided to hold its fourth regular session at Kingston from 17 March to 11 April 1986 and its summer meeting in 1986 at Geneva, Kingston or New York as it may decide, 53
Taking note of activities carried out in 1985 under the major programme on marine affairs, set forth in chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period l 984-1989,54 in accordance with the report ofthe Secretary-General55 as approved in General Assembly resolution 38/59 A,
Recognizing that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea encompasses ali uses and resources of the oceans and that ali related activities within the United Nations system need to be implemented in a manner consistent with it,
Recalling its approval of the fmancing of the expenses of the Preparatory Commission from the regular budget of the United Nations,
Taking special note of the report of the Secretary-General prepared in response to paragraph 1 O of General Assembly resolution 39/73,56
1
Recal/s the historie significance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea asan important contribution to the maintenance of peace, justice and progress for ali peoples of the world;
2
Expresses its satisfaction at the increasing number of ratifications deposited with the Secretary-General;
3
Ca/Is upan ali States that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the Convention at the earliest possible date to allow the effective entry into force of the new legal régime for the uses of the sea and its resources;
4
Ca/Is upan ali States to safeguard the unified character of the Convention and related resolutions
adopted therewith;
Takes note of the Declaration adopted by the Pre- 5. paratory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and for the lnternational Tribunal for the Law ofthe Sea on 30 August 1985;
6
Ca/Is upan States to desist from taking actions which undermine the Convention or defeat its object and purpose;
7
Ca/Is upan States to observe the provisions of the Convention when enacting their national legislation;
8
Ca/Is for an early adoption of the rules for registration of pioneer investors in order to ensure the effective implementation of resolution II of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, including the registration of pioneer investors;
9
Expresses its appreciation for the effective execution by the Secretary-General of the central programme in law of the sea affairs under chapter 25 of the medium-term plan for the period 1984-1989;
l O.
Further expresses its appreciation for the report of the Secretary-General prepared in response to General Assembly resolution 39/73 and requests him to continue to carry out the activities outlined therein, as well as those aimed at the strengthening of the new legal régime of the sea, special emphasis being placed on the work of the Preparatory Commission for the International Sea-Bed Authority and for the lnternational Tribunal for the Law ofthe Sea, including the implementation of resolution II of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea;
11
Approves the programme of meetings of the Preparatory Commission for 1986;53
12
Ca/Is upan the Secretary-General to continue to assist States in the implementation of the Convention and in the development of a consistent and uniform approach to the new legal régime thereunder, as well as in their national, subregional and regional efforts towards the full realization ofthe benefits therefrom and invites the organs and organizations of the United Nations system to cooperate and lend assistance in these endeavours;
13
Requeststhe Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-first session on developments relating to the Convention and on the implementation of the present resolution;
14
Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-first session the ítem entitled "Law of the sea".
110th p/enary meeting JO December 1985
47 A/40/726 and Corr. l. annex 5l LOS/PCN/72; see also A 40 923, paras. 109-112. on the Dedarat10n 48 A/40/682, annex.
and the Chairman's statement at its adoption. 49 A/40/619.
52 Otfic1a/ Records ()( the Th1rd Unitcd Nailon., Conkrence on the /,aw o/ the Sea. vol. XVII (United Na11ons publication. Sales No F 84 V.3). docu SO Officia/ Records uf thc Third United Natwns Con/érence on the La..- o/ the Sea, vol. XVII (United Nations publicati.on, Sales No. E.84.V.3), docu ment A CONF.621121, annn l. ment AICONF.62/122.
53 Sce A/40/923, para. 108.
S7 Sec also sect. I, footnote 9. and scct. X.R.1, dccisaon 401407 54 Officia/ Records o/ the General Aasemb/y, Thirty-sevenlh Session. S11p- 58 A/40/213 and Corr 1. annex. p/ement No. 6A (A/37/6/Add.1). annex 11.
' 9 A/40/319-SI 17197. annex. 55 A/38/570 and Corr. l and Add. l and Add. l /Corr. l 56 A/40/923.
