General Assembly Session 53 meeting 68

The President

I call on the representative of Finland to introduce draft resolution A/53/L.35.

Ms. Lehto (Finland)

I have the honour, as coordinator, to introduce draft resolution A/53/L.35, under agenda item 38, entitled "Oceans and the law of the sea". The other draft resolution under this item, which concerns large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing, will be introduced by the representative of the United States.

In addition to the 49 countries referred to in document A/53/L.35, the sponsors include Algeria, Croatia, Poland and Singapore.

Draft resolution A/53/L.35 was the result of a series of open-ended consultations among delegations. I would like to express my appreciation to all the delegations that participated in the consultations for their important contributions and their spirit of cooperation. I would also like to thank the staff of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs for their valuable assistance to our work.

As in previous years, the focus of the draft resolution is to recall important aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and to welcome the increase in the number of States parties to the Convention, while encouraging States that have not yet done so to become parties. As the Secretary-General notes in his report (A/53/456), developments in ocean affairs and the law of the sea during this past year, proclaimed the International Year of the Ocean, have clearly signified the overall trend towards universal participation in and adherence to the legal regime established by the Convention. Ensuring a coordinated approach to the implementation of the Convention is now our greatest priority. The draft resolution accordingly calls upon States to harmonize as a matter of priority their national legislation with the provisions of the Convention and to withdraw any declarations that are not in conformity with it.

The three institutions created by the Convention, namely, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Seabed Authority and the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, have all been established and have commenced their substantive work in areas within their competence.

The draft resolution takes note with satisfaction of the first judgement of the Tribunal, delivered on 4 December 1997. As many representatives are aware, the Tribunal is currently dealing with the merits of a related case.

The draft resolution recalls the comprehensive dispute settlement system established in part XV of the Convention and encourages States parties to consider making a declaration choosing from the means of settlement of disputes set out in article 287. It requests the Secretary-General to circulate and update lists of conciliators and arbitrators drawn up and maintained in accordance with annexes V and VII to the Convention.

The draft resolution notes with satisfaction the progress in the work of the International Seabed Authority and emphasizes the importance of continued progress towards the adoption of the Regulations on prospecting and exploration for polymetallic nodules. The initial draft regulations, also known as the seabed mining code, were prepared by the Legal and Technical Commission of the Authority and were presented to its Council for review in March 1998.

The financial situation of the International Seabed Authority and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea continues to be a cause of concern. The draft resolution appeals to all members of the Authority and all States parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions to the Authority and to the Tribunal, respectively, in full and on time in order to ensure that they are able to carry out their functions as provided for in the Convention.

The draft resolution also reflects the updated information of the Secretary-General's report on the work done by the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which has made substantial progress during its two sessions this year.

It is recalled that the next Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention will be held from 19 to 28 May 1999. During that meeting, on 24 May 1999, the election of seven judges of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will take place.

As the Secretary-General's report notes, the increase in the number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea, as well as the violence of some of these attacks, require our urgent attention. The draft resolution responds to this disquieting information with several new paragraphs. It expresses concern at the increasing threat to shipping from this phenomenon and urges all States, in particular coastal States in affected regions, to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and combat piracy and armed robbery. States are also asked to investigate such incidents wherever they occur and bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

The draft resolution expresses appreciation and support for the ongoing work of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in this area and calls upon States to cooperate fully with the IMO to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships.

The draft resolution contains several paragraphs on new developments pertaining to the implementation of the Convention as well as other issues and developments relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea. It expresses interest in the ongoing work at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization towards a convention for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to the underwater cultural heritage, and stresses the importance of ensuring that the instrument to be elaborated is in full conformity with the relevant provisions of that Convention.

The draft resolution takes also note of the work of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans, and of its report entitled "The Ocean ... Our Future", and welcomes its issuance in the context of the International Year of the Ocean.

The draft resolution takes account of the importance of reliable hydrographic and nautical information for the safety of navigation, and invites States to cooperate in this field. States are invited to ensure the greatest uniformity in charts and nautical publications and to coordinate their activities so that hydrographic and nautical information is made available worldwide. The standards established by the International Hydrographic Organization, even though not explicitly mentioned in the draft resolution, quite obviously form the basis on which the desired uniformity in charts and publications can be achieved.

Emphasis is also placed on the importance of education and training in the field of ocean affairs and the law of the sea. Member States and others in the position to do so are invited to contribute to the further development of the Hamilton Shirley Amerasinghe Memorial Fellowship Programme on the Law of the Sea and to support the training activities under the TRAIN-SEA-COAST Programme of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs.

The draft resolution highlights the importance of the annual comprehensive report of the Secretary-General and its early issuance, as well as the importance of the activities of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs. The Secretary-General is requested to continue to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to him in the Convention and related resolutions of the General Assembly.

The draft resolution reaffirms the decision of the General Assembly to undertake an annual review and evaluation of the implementation of the Convention and other developments relating to ocean affairs and the law of the sea. It recalls also that the oceans and the seas will be the main theme for the activities in 1999 of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and reaffirms the decision to consider the results of the review by the Commission of this sectoral theme under the agenda item entitled "Oceans and the law of the sea".

While I commend draft resolution A/53/L.35 to members to be adopted without a vote, I note that this has not been the case in previous years. It has become the practice for a delegation to request a recorded vote on the draft resolution on the law of the sea. A change in this practice, if it were achievable in the future, would certainly be most welcome.

Mr. Pell (United States)

My delegation has the honour to introduce draft resolution A/53/L.45 on large-scale pelagic drift-net fishing and some other matters. Once again, we would like to extend our gratitude to all those delegations that offered valuable suggestions and worked in a spirit of cooperation to draft this text.

The United States wishes to express its longstanding support for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which now has been ratified by 129 states and one entity. With operative paragraph 1 in mind, we are pursuing ratification with the goal of becoming a party to the Convention and the Part XI amending Agreement.

We believe that the early call in this draft resolution for States to ensure consistent application of the Convention is extremely important. It is in the interest of all that declarations and statements that are not in conformity with the Convention be withdrawn.

Concurrent with this idea of consistency is the call in operative paragraph 20 of draft resolution A/53/L.35 for those involved in the development of a draft convention relating to the underwater cultural heritage to ensure full conformity with the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The United States listened intently to the voices of the non-governmental community at the last meeting of the States Parties to the Law of the Sea Convention. They addressed concerns related to the continuing threats of piracy and armed robbery, against ships, their ship owners, their seafarers, and their economies. This is a real and substantial problem, demanding proactive responses. The United States urges all States to become party to the Maritime Terrorism Convention and its related protocol by the year 2000, and to work together to support the efforts of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to suppress those threats.

On the issue of migration, the United States pledges its strong support for the work of the IMO and the United Nations Crime Commission to deter and punish parties engaged in dangerous migration practices. The United States further pledges its support for the work of the Crime Commission in the area of combating the increasing problem of transnational organized criminal activity in the trafficking of persons, particularly women and children.

In the past year -- the International Year of the Ocean -- major emphasis has been placed upon sustainable fisheries. There has been important progress on new global fisheries initiatives undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for the management of sharks and to reduce the incidental capture of sea birds in commercial fisheries. The United States urges all countries to actively participate in the next session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries early next year, where work will continue on these very important individual initiatives.

We also wish to reiterate the urgent need for entry into force of the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement and the FAO Agreement to Promote Compliance with International Conservation and Management Measures by Fishing Vessels on the High Seas. We urge all Governments, if they have not already done so, to become parties to these agreements at the earliest possible date.

Next year the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development will take up as its theme oceans and fisheries. The United States believes that one of the most effective ways nations can promote sustainable fisheries is to implement the provisions contained in the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement, the Compliance Agreement and the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

In the next few months we will be reviewing the oceans chapter of Agenda 21 in the Commission on Sustainable Development. As we begin that review we must be mindful that the Law of the Sea Convention sets out the rights and obligations of States and provides the international basis upon which to pursue the protection and sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment and its resources.

As part of our review, we will be looking for ways to effectively implement Agenda 21's call for the General Assembly to provide regular consideration, within the United Nations system and at the intergovernmental level, of general marine and coastal issues. The report of the Secretary-General and the valuable work of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea will contribute significantly to this overall review. We very much appreciate the work that has gone into the annual report on oceans and the law of the sea.

This draft resolution also refers to the work of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans. We recognize the work that went into this report, under the leadership of our colleagues from Portugal. Many of its ideas should be given consideration by Member States. On the other hand, we wish to register our concern that some of the recommendations in this report are inconsistent with the Law of the Sea Convention, and our support for this draft resolution cannot be seen as an endorsement of the conclusions reached in the Independent World Commission's report.

We continue to believe that a more concerted effort must be undertaken by States, in conjunction with appropriate United Nations bodies, to give full force and effect to the 1995 Global Programme of Action to Protect the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities. We look forward to continued steady progress on the protection of the marine environment.

Mr. Sucharipa (Austria)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on agenda item 38, "Oceans and the law of the sea". The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union -- Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia -- and the associated country Cyprus align themselves with this statement.

This year witnessed this century's last world's fair, which was dedicated to the oceans. It was an excellent opportunity to focus the public's awareness on the oceans and their contribution to both the world economy and the world environment. The Lisbon Expo '98, which marked, inter alia, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the route to India, was also a particularly propitious moment for a clear perception of the big problems raised by the management of the oceans at the dawn of the twenty-first century, during which the oceans will become the planet's final frontier.

Expo '98 was also the forum chosen by the Independent World Commission on the Oceans to present, within the framework of the International Year of the Ocean, its final report, entitled The Ocean ... Our Future, the recommendations of which have been submitted to the General Assembly by a note circulated as document A/53/524.

The European Union notes with concern the increasing number of instances of piracy and armed robbery against ships and the increased use of violence in such attacks. We believe that there is a need for more effective action to be taken, primarily by both coastal and flag States. To this end the European Union urges all States, in particular coastal States in affected regions, to take all possible action to prevent incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea and to investigate such incidents wherever they occur and bring those concerned to justice. In addition, the European Union calls on all flag States to ensure that their shipping companies are taking appropriate precautions to protect their ships and crews from attack. We fully support the efforts and initiatives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in this regard, and call upon all Governments, particularly those in the areas most affected, to work with the IMO to eliminate these unlawful activities.

The European Union is also deeply concerned about the escalation of cases of illegal trafficking in and the transport of migrants. As the Secretary-General points out in his report, this is a particularly reprehensible form of organized crime. It jeopardizes the lives of the individuals who are being smuggled, while the perpetrators earn profits and escape justice. The European Union commends the efforts undertaken by the IMO with the aim of combating unsafe practices associated with the trafficking or transport of migrants, particularly by sea. At the same time, we support the initiative taken by some European Union member States to elaborate -- under the auspices of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and in the context of the general convention against organized transnational crime -- a protocol against the smuggling of migrants by sea, establishing the smuggling of migrants as a crime.

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the cornerstone of United Nations efforts to solve problems related to the oceans. In recent years, we have seen the number of parties to the Convention rise to 130. Almost all European Union member States, as well as the European Community, are now parties to the Convention itself and to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention.

Given the importance of the Convention for the management of the world's oceans, universal acceptance of this instrument is important. This includes universal adherence to the Agreement relating to the implementation of Part XI of the Convention. The Agreement has facilitated the growth in the number of parties to the Convention and has been the key to wide acceptance of the Convention.

The European Union notes that the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in Hamburg delivered its first judgement on 4 December 1997. In this context, it is with concern that we take note of the financial situation of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and of the International Seabed Authority. The European Union and its member States therefore urge all parties to the Convention to pay their assessed contributions without delay to these two institutions in order to ensure that they are able to carry out their functions as provided for in the Convention.

A number of States that have ratified the Convention have still not taken the step of adhering to the Agreement. So far, a pragmatic approach has been adopted that has allowed practical difficulties to be avoided. We call upon those States to make the required effort to ratify the Agreement as well. It is important that all States continue to work towards a universal, uniform and coherent body of law for the oceans and that they become parties to both the Convention and the Agreement.

The universal acceptance of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea should, however, not take place at the expense of its integrity. The European Union once again notes with concern that, notwithstanding article 310 of the Convention, a number of States have made declarations that appear to exclude or modify the legal effect of certain provisions of the Convention. As the Convention clearly states in article 309 that reservations may not be made, such declarations cannot have any legal effect. The European Union observes that the prohibition of reservations contained in article 309 is not merely a restrictive rule; it is an essential safeguard for maintaining the balance struck between the multitude of interests covered by the Convention.

Of equal concern are the rules of national law that appear to deviate from the rules set out in the Convention. A number of States have enacted legislation that seems to run contrary to the Convention and, indeed, to customary law. We underline that the Convention is a package deal, and respect for the integrity of the Convention as a whole must be maintained and guarded.

The European Union is particularly concerned about any development which amounts to creeping jurisdiction, be it through excessive claims or extensive interpretation of the Convention, since such a development would restrict the fundamental principle of the freedom of the high seas.

We would like to call upon all States to ensure that their legislation and its implementation remain within the limits agreed to in the Convention. The European Union stresses the need for a consistent interpretation of the Convention's rules. Not only is there a general obligation under the law of treaties to interpret and apply a treaty in good faith, but it is also in the interest of the world community at large to maintain a consistent interpretation. Those States parties to the Convention that have made declarations or reservations not in conformity with the Convention on the Law of the Sea should reconsider these declarations or reservations with a view to withdrawing them. Moreover, we welcome the fact that the Secretary-General has included this issue in his report on the law of the sea prepared for the General Assembly.

The European Union follows with interest the work undertaken in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) towards a convention on underwater cultural heritage. We regret that more progress could not be achieved at the meeting of experts in Paris in June 1998. This was in part because the draft prepared for the meeting was, unfortunately, not compatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The European Union considers it essential that the work of UNESCO be in full conformity with the relevant provisions of the Law of the Sea Convention.

The Agreement for the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 relating to the conservation and management of straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks contains numerous elements for the effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention relating to fishing. The European Community and its member States signed this Agreement in the second half of 1996. The Council of the European Union decided to ratify the Agreement in June 1997. The instruments of ratification of the European Community and its member States will be deposited together at the United Nations as soon as national procedures are finalized in each State. The procedure for the ratification of the Agreement has begun at both local and national levels within member States. We hope that this process can be concluded within a reasonable period of time.

The European Union and its member States urge the widespread adoption into the national fisheries-sector working practices of guidance offered by the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. We believe that application of the Code will contribute significantly to the emergence of sustainable, equitable and safe fisheries industries at all levels of investment. We welcome efforts to date by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and others to promote the implementation of the Code of Conduct, and we urge greater support to help developing countries benefit from all its provisions. The European Union and its member States will seek to ensure that the provisions of the Code of Conduct govern the Community's fisheries sector relationships with developing countries.

The European Union and its member States recognize the important functions of coastal ecosystems and the value of the services which they provide to human welfare. This is particularly so in the case of small island developing States. We would encourage greater efforts to put into effect the provisions of the Global Programme of Action to Protect the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities and of relevant Conventions. The degradation of sensitive coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs and mangrove forests, has the effect of increasing the extent and depth of poverty in coastal communities. Such habitats should be conserved and managed sustainably.

The European Union and its member States consider that the adoption of a fully integrated approach to the management of coastal resources is essential if there is to be an effective solution to resource-use conflicts which may emerge from time to time in the coastal zones. We equally recognize that sustainable development in coastal areas is dependent upon an adequate understanding of the interaction between natural assets and social and human capital. An intersectoral approach to coastal development fully reflected in national strategies for sustainable development is the key to achieving this.

Turning back to the debate on the law of the sea in this forum, the General Assembly, we wish to stress our attachment to a discussion of this important issue here. The European Union reiterates the view that the General Assembly is the place for a thorough debate on the basis of a comprehensive report by the Secretary-General. While appreciating the broad scope of the report presented by the Secretariat, the European Union regrets again its late distribution, which made it difficult to prepare adequately for the discussion of law of the sea matters. We call upon the Secretary-General to issue the report for the fifty-fourth session six weeks before the discussion in the General Assembly.

Mr. Badji (Senegal)

Following the example of my immediate predecessor, who addressed this Assembly last year, I wish, in my capacity as Chairman of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, held in New York from 18 to 22 May 1998, to report on developments that occurred at that meeting and on the outcome thereof.

At the outset, I would note the very interesting discussions held within the constantly expanding family of States that have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession. Today, there are 130 States Parties to the Montego Bay Convention. I take this opportunity to extend my warmest congratulations to the five States that have become Parties to the Convention since our Meeting last May. These States are Belgium, Laos, Nepal, Poland and Suriname.

It is encouraging to see that, as we approach the end of 1998, 77 per cent of coastal States have agreed to be legally bound by the Convention. This is remarkable for a treaty governing such varied and diverse state interests and such sensitive and complex situations. At this rate, we may hope that, in the near future, we will achieve our common objective of universal participation in the Convention.

The fruitful dialogue, hard work and positive atmosphere among delegations to the Eighth Meeting of States Parties once again bore witness to the effectiveness and credibility of the regime established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The active participation of States in the discussion and their demonstrated sense of commitment proved their devotion to the law of the sea regime.

In accordance with its agenda, the Meeting was called on to consider as a matter of priority the budget of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and other matters relating to the activities and existence of the Tribunal, whose President, Judge Thomas Mensah, submitted the 1997-1998 report with all the competence, wisdom and moral integrity for which he is known.

Mr. Badji (Senegal)

The Meeting focused on the Tribunal's draft budget for 1999 and on its overexpenditures incurred in 1996-1997. The Meeting also had before it equally important matters relating to the work of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, specifically to certain points of interpretation that arose when its Rules of Procedure were being drafted.

Before taking up the budget, the Meeting noted the work done by the Tribunal on its own establishment, and in particular on the creation of several chambers, pursuant to the Convention, in order to provide justice more efficiently. The Tribunal also adopted its Rules and a resolution on its own internal judicial practice, as well as guidelines concerning the preparation and presentation of cases before the Tribunal.

In this connection, the Meeting welcomed the first case brought before the Tribunal on a dispute concerning the prompt release of the ship M/V Saiga. The international community is eagerly awaiting the judgement on this case, which will certainly confirm the professional approach of this young institution and the importance of its role in ensuring respect for subtle balances established by the Convention.

The Meeting also welcomed the conclusion, on 18 December 1997, of the Agreement on Cooperation and Relationship between the United Nations and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The Agreement has since entered into force. I believe that these two institutions will, in a spirit of partnership, work together and provide mutual assistance in order to attain their shared objective of promoting smooth and peaceful relations among States.

With respect to the Tribunal's budget for 1999, the Meeting of States Parties approved a total of $6,983,817, including provision for the establishment of a Working Capital Fund which would be financed, on an exceptional basis, with savings from appropriations in the budget up to a maximum of $200,000.

The 1999 budget for the Tribunal approved by the Meeting was $979,834 less than the draft budget initially proposed. This reduction took account of need to make savings, thereby demonstrating the sense of responsibility of the States participating in the Meeting. Despite the reduction, the Tribunal should be able to play its full part and to preserve its authority and credibility as a mechanism, established under the Convention, for the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Nevertheless, it is my duty respectfully to draw this Assembly's attention to arrears accumulated by a large number of States Parties. The amounts involved are such that the situation they have created could seriously jeopardize the future of this young institution. Deprived of the financial resources necessary to carry out its functions, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea could be condemned to never being able to fulfil its role as an instrument of peaceful settlement of maritime disputes.

I wish to reiterate the appeal made to States parties to carry out their financial obligations as soon as possible and to pay their contributions in full. This is essential in order to safeguard the independence and the credibility of the Tribunal and the moral integrity of its 21 judges.

Turning to the draft financial rules of the Tribunal and the rules governing the pensions of members of the Tribunal, the number of questions raised during the consideration of these items and the need to study more thoroughly the implications of the drafts led States parties to defer consideration to the next Meeting.

Finally, with regard to matters pertaining to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, I wish to emphasize that the hope was expressed at the Meeting that in the future the Tribunal would demonstrate tighter management and ensure the promotion of rules of transparency and geographic and linguistic diversity in the recruitment and composition of the Registry personnel.

At our Meeting we pursued a rich and fruitful dialogue with the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, an organ established by the Convention and consisting of eminent experts whose work accomplished under the chairmanship of Mr. Yuri Kazmin of the Russian Federation has earned the respect and appreciation of all. The Chairman of that Commission submitted three sets of issues to the Meeting of States Parties.

The first set of issues relates to annex I and annex II of the Commission's rules of procedure. Annex I deals with the question of submissions relating to disputes between States with opposite or adjacent coasts or to unresolved maritime or land disputes. The Meeting, in its wisdom, recalled that these very complex and delicate issues were at the very heart of States' interests and were within their own competence and thus could not be the subject of discussion at the Meeting. At its session last August, the Commission adopted its rules of procedure, including annex I, after having considered the written observations submitted by a number of States on the recommendation of the Meeting of States Parties. The Meeting indicated that the rules of procedure deal only with the procedures used by the Commission in fulfilling its functions and should not deal with the rights of States.

Annex II raised issues relating to the responsibility of members of the Commission in the event of their having to consider confidential data. This issue had been the subject of an opinion given by the United Nations Legal Counsel, which stated that Commission members were considered as experts on mission, covered by article VI of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The Meeting of States Parties took note of that legal opinion.

The second set of issues related to the interpretation of the terms "coastal States" and "States". In view of article V of annex II of the Convention, there was the question of determining whether the Commission should agree to consider a submission made by a State not party to the Convention. In this connection, the Eighth Meeting endorsed the position taken by many States to the effect that the Commission should request the opinion of the Legal Counsel to remove this ambiguity only if the need clearly arose.

Finally, the third set of issues related to the financing of participation at sessions of the Commission by members coming from developing countries. In this connection, the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf proposed to the Meeting of States Parties that perhaps a special trust fund managed by the United Nations Secretary-General should be established. The Meeting requested the Secretariat to study ways and means of enabling all members of the Commission to participate in it work. However, it was recalled that under the Convention, States parties bear the responsibility for covering expenditures related to participation by their experts elected to the Commission.

I cannot conclude without mentioning that the Meeting considered issues that have a negative impact on the development of maritime activities. Despite a 40 per cent increase in activity over the past 10 years, shipping has not faced any major crisis, except for incidents relating to navigation per se. This desirable stability is most certainly due to the regime established in the Convention. However, the international community's attention is increasingly being drawn to phenomena that seriously harm international trade by sea. I am referring to piracy, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in various parts of the world, and to the working conditions of seafarers and the failure on the part of flag States and port States to discharge their obligations under the Convention.

Two non-governmental organizations, the International Chamber of Shipping and the Seamen's Church Institute of New York and New Jersey, which participated in the Meeting as observers, issued an urgent appeal for States to take the necessary measures to combat piracy and to establish new mechanisms to deal with the problems facing seafarers in connection with the multinational nature of crews and the absence of international regulations that can deal with these phenomena.

In conclusion, I would like once again to thank all those who helped me during the work of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties. I hope that that forum, where all maritime interests are heard, can continue its constructive dialogue, which is conducive to the maintenance of a regime that has preserved peace and security on the seas and oceans of our planet.

In this connection, the Eighth Meeting of States Parties clearly reaffirmed its desire to remain a forum of sovereign and independent States and entities, all equal in their rights and obligations under the source of their common inspiration, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

I wish every success to the Ninth Meeting of States Parties, to be held in New York from 19 to 28 May 1999, at which time, inter alia, seven members of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea will be elected to fill the seats of those judges whose three-year mandate expires.

Mr. Boisson (Monaco)

Turning naturally to the sea because of its geography, the Principality of Monaco owes much of its international renown to marine and oceanographic activities whose development since the last century has been consistently encouraged by its Government, inspired by the scientific work accomplished by Prince Albert I, a scientist and humanist, the 150th anniversary of whose birth we celebrate this year.

His successors, and especially the current Sovereign Prince, have continued and strengthened this policy in order to acquire greater knowledge of the marine environment and its riches, and to protect the seas and oceans against pollution and safeguard their resources.

Until recently, the law of the sea in Monaco was governed by many fragmentary, disparate and often quite old texts, some of them dating back to 1867, the date of the code on maritime trade. A decision was therefore taken to provide the Principality with a code that would bring together, in one instrument, all of the provisions relating to the law of the sea, and would make them consistent with the technical and legal imperatives of the contemporary maritime world.

As is indicated by the Secretary-General in paragraph 94 of his report on "Oceans and the law of the sea" (A/53/456), the Principality instituted this Code of the Sea by Law No. 1,198 of 27 March 1998. The Code reflects and updates certain provisions of existing legislation, while introducing at the national level international norms shaped by custom and practice or by the traditional expression of the concerns and the commitments of States. At the forefront of these references, of course, we find the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, as well as the relevant international conventions to which Monaco is a party.

This text considers the sea in its entirety: as an ecosystem, as a space for the circulation of ships and as an area of economic exploitation. In the latter context, it is aimed mainly at achieving two objectives: on the one hand, the safety and security of navigation and of seafarers and the protection of persons on the seas, and, on the other, respect for maritime spaces and the marine environment.

Its rules focus on three vital topics: the sea, persons and navigation.

Provisions regarding the sea, the marine environment, are to be found primarily in the Code's second book, which deals with maritime spaces in Monaco and the marine environment, and in the seventh book, which is on policing territorial and internal waters. These provisions take up the problem of pollution, especially from the standpoint of prevention, by distinguishing among the different types of possible damage to the ecosystem. This provision on protection is complemented by norms applicable to human activities that are not specifically pollutant in nature, such as the exploitation and exploration of the marine environment, the seabed and its subsoil.

Provisions relating to persons are designed to ensure the security of passengers and crew. The Code gives transporters the obligation to ensure the protection of passengers. They must, in particular, put and maintain their ships in a seaworthy state, equip them correctly and take all appropriate safety measures.

The safety of seafarers is taken into account by the provisions concerning the social protection and working conditions that form part of the statute of seafarers. Duration of work, the setting of salaries, rules concerning sailors who are minors, the handling of legal disputes between seafarers and shipowners, etc., are all regulated.

Concerns relating to the protection of human life on the seas and of the marine environment also very much underlie the rules relating to navigation and the use of ships. These rules govern, inter alia, the fitting out and chartering of ships as well as shipping and maritime insurance. We might mention, for example, the rules on the delivery of titles of security and certificates of pollution prevention, which are to a great extent inspired by conventional international law.

The implementation of the Code of the Sea will be carried out by authorities and administrative bodies established for that purpose, which will have both the responsibility of examining the rules to be applied and that of monitoring compliance with the legislation.

A Council of the Sea, composed of qualified officials and of persons appointed on the basis of their competence, will study the texts proposed by the Government. An ad hoc commission, will visit ships to monitor the observance of safety norms on board.

The Director of Maritime Affairs and the Director of Public Safety, as governmental authorities, will have the task of regularly monitoring all questions relating to the Code, from both the administrative standpoint and that of the maritime police.

The implementation of and effective compliance with this legislation will be ensured by a certain number of penal provisions, accompanied by the necessary sanctions.

Monaco's Code of the Sea is intended to be a modern, complete and practical legal instrument. Today, in the year 1998, proclaimed by the General Assembly as the International Year of the Ocean, this text can be considered the clearest symbol of the determination and interest that the Principality of Monaco, loyal to its tradition, intends to show with regard to the vast marine spaces and their resources, which are essential for the progress of humankind, and undoubtedly also for the survival of succeeding generations. It is in this spirit that the authorities of Monaco have asked that the Code be republished in the Law of the Sea Bulletin.

Before making a few comments on the draft resolution on oceans and the law of the sea (A/53/L.35), of which the Principality of Monaco is a sponsor, may I express our sincerest thanks to Ms. Marja-Liisa Lehto, Counsellor for Legal Affairs of the Finnish delegation, who successfully and skilfully conducted the informal consultations on this text.

My comments will primarily focus on the thirteenth preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 21, which have to do with hydrography, marine cartography and nautical information.

In this respect, and in its capacity as a member of the International Maritime Organization and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), and as host country to the office of the International Hydrographic Organization, the Principality of Monaco wishes to emphasize the importance and essential role of these specialized agencies, and in particular the role of the International Hydrographic Organization, an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization that works tirelessly for the security of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. Its competence, and especially its vast experience in marine cartography, deserves to be mentioned and encouraged.

The maritime countries have the responsibility of ensuring the safety of navigation in their territorial waters and of providing the maritime sector with the vital nautical documents covering those waters. Such a responsibility poses problems that can be effectively resolved only by a national hydrographic service with responsibility in the areas of hydrography and marine cartography.

Hydrography, marine cartography, navigation aids and maritime communications are key factors for maritime safety and for the protection of the marine environment, as well as essential elements for the development of the infrastructures of a nation. In that respect, they relate not only to the ports and to maritime transport but to the exploitation and protection of marine resources.

To that end, the IHO acts as a coordinating body for the promotion of projects designed to establish or strengthen national hydrographic capacities, especially in the developing countries. Consultative visits are organized at the request of any interested State, whether or not it is a member of that organization.

My delegation hopes that the explicit reference to the hydrographic question in the draft resolution that we are preparing to adopt will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and the IHO through the conclusion of bilateral agreements between nations aimed at providing technical assistance for hydrographic projects relating to training, skills and the provision of materials and equipment.

As the observance of the International Year of the Ocean draws to a close, my delegation is pleased that the draft resolution takes note of the work of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans and of its report entitled The Ocean ... Our Future. My country joined with the many delegations that considered the result of the work of that Commission a useful contribution to reflection and debate on the oceans. The Independent World Commission on the Oceans formulated conclusions and recommendations with the aim of attracting the attention of political leaders to the future of the oceans, which must no longer be considered merely an inexhaustible source of riches, resources and abundance.

The Principality, which maintains the provisional secretariat of the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area, which was adopted in Monaco on 24 November 1996, is in this respect endeavouring to do its part to protect marine fauna and preserve it as best it can for present and future generations.

In the same spirit, a Monegasque institute of the economic law of the sea, a non-governmental organization, deserves to be highlighted. That institute is currently working to develop a draft international convention on pleasure sailing in the Mediterranean, intended to establish a regime specific to an activity that has been developing steadily on all the seas throughout the world, but which will take account of the specific conditions of the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea. Every year the institute publishes a French-language handbook of the law of the sea as a tool for all maritime professionals, academics, students, representatives of international organizations and others who work in that area.

Before concluding, I should like to recall that from 20 to 22 October last a meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development was held in Monaco. That Commission, created in 1996, brought together the 20 coastal countries of the Mediterranean and the European Commission in the framework of preparations for the seventh session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, for which the sectorial topic is the seas and oceans.

The Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development is a consultative body that enables the contracting parties to the Barcelona Convention to engage in dialogue and put forward proposals designed to help them define a regional strategy for sustainable development in the Mediterranean. It involves in its work the representatives of local associations, the main socio-economic actors and the competent non-governmental organizations in the field of environment and development.

Obstacles to sustainable development are particularly in evidence in the Mediterranean region. Natural resources -- water, forests and the soil -- are, in fact, very seriously threatened. Increasingly intensive agriculture and fishing have consequences that are undeniably damaging. Urban development and the development of tourism, especially in coastal areas, affect ecosystems as well as the countryside and historic sites, which are the very sources and means of the region's development, in ways that are sometimes irreversible.

We therefore have a decisive stake in the future of the Mediterranean basin, a fact to which Prince Rainier III drew attention as early as the 1970s by creating Monaco's scientific centre, with its important oceanography department, and by launching the subregional initiative which was to lead to the French Italian Monegasque Commission (RAMOGE) agreement between France, Italy and the Principality of Monaco -- an experimental project aimed at jointly combating all forms of pollution in the Mediterranean between the Gulf of Genoa and the Gulf of Lions.

Finally, I should like to refer to the excellent international Expo '98 in Lisbon, devoted to the sea and to the oceans, which provided a wonderful opportunity to enlighten a great many visitors with regard to both the beauty and the fragility of the marine environment.

Mr. Nakayama (Micronesia)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 10 South Pacific Forum member countries represented here at the United Nations in New York (SOPAC): Australia, the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Zealand, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and my own country, the Federated States of Micronesia.

For obvious reasons, the ocean is of immense importance to the South Pacific Forum island countries. The Pacific island countries, although varying greatly in terms of resource endowments and land mass, all share a common bond: the Pacific Ocean. We are oceanic States, and together we occupy a vast area of the Pacific Ocean that comprises almost a third of the entire surface of the earth. At this year's South Pacific Forum meeting, held in the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia in August, our leaders focused a great deal of attention on fisheries and other issues relating to the marine environment.

For centuries, the ocean has always been our provider, and its bounty is the principal resource for the economic survival of many of us. The sea brings us together, and its resources represent the most tangible asset for the future sustainable economic development of many of our communities. We are concerned that the great potential that the ocean holds, however, cannot be realized if continued human-induced pollutants and the protection and management of this vital resource are not comprehensively addressed by this body and regional and non-governmental bodies.

We particularly welcome the effort of the world community to focus attention on the ocean by proclaiming this year as the International Year of the Ocean. As the year draws to a close, we call upon all members of the international community to rededicate their efforts to ensure the protection of this valuable resource and to safeguard it from any activities that may have detrimental effects and endanger the ocean environment. We welcome the significant trend towards universal participation and adherence to the legal regime established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and we call upon States that have not ratified the Convention and the three institutions created by it to do so.

Cooperation among States is an essential requirement for the successful implementation of the Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Forum countries are pleased to note the inclusion of specific recognition of the obligation to cooperate in this year's draft resolution on drift-net fishing and other fishing issues, which we hope will command consensus in the Assembly. We reaffirm the importance we attach to sustainable management and conservation of the marine living resources of the world's oceans and seas and the obligations of States to cooperate to this end.

Cooperation is also recognized as an essential element of the Implementation Agreement on straddling fish stocks and highly migratory fish stocks and, in particular, of regional approaches that are required to put its provisions into practice. We welcome the inclusion in this year's draft resolution of the paragraph on the Fish Stocks Agreement, and we urge all members who have not already done so to sign and ratify the Agreement as a matter of priority. In the Pacific we have taken a proactive approach and have engaged in dialogue with the distant-water fishing nations that fish in our waters. We are now involved in full negotiations with them on a regional arrangement for the conservation and management of our tuna resources.

The Forum countries welcomed the progress achieved during the third session of the Multilateral High Conference, held in Tokyo in June this year, now known as the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Conference. The valuable support of the Government of Japan in hosting that important Conference is greatly appreciated. We are also particularly grateful to Mr. Satya Nandan, who has supported this process and provided valuable and impartial advice as Chairman of the negotiations.

We take particular note of the significant steps achieved in the negotiations for the development of a legally binding conservation and management arrangement at the Conference. The importance of this arrangement cannot be overstressed in terms of its contribution towards the maintenance of sustainable fisheries in the region, which is beneficial to both the distant-water fishing nations and the Forum island countries, many of whose economic livelihoods are dependent on this one resource.

The Forum called on developed States to honour their obligations and commitments to provide financial assistance to facilitate the participation of Pacific Island countries at future inter-sessional working group meetings and Multilateral High Level Conferences. Such assistance would assist the Forum island countries in the discharge of their management and conservation responsibilities.

At this year's South Pacific Forum meeting, our leaders reiterated their endorsement for the concept of the vessel monitoring system (VMS) for member countries of the Forum Fisheries Agency. This will be progressively implemented for those vessels of the distant-water fishing nations operating in the exclusive economic zones of Forum countries. We call upon the distant-water fishing nations operating in the region to support the VMS initiative. We believe that requiring the use of VMS is currently the most effective and cost-efficient method available for monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities in our respective exclusive economic zones, and is therefore a vital tool in our efforts to combat illegal fishing activities.

SOPAC delegations have been participating actively in the negotiations on the two draft resolutions to be adopted under the agenda item on oceans and the law of the sea. We thank the coordinators of both draft resolutions for their hard work in ensuring that all interested delegations had the opportunity to participate in the discussions. We would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his very useful reports prepared under this agenda item and to acknowledge the very important work carried out by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea.

For the SOPAC delegations, the draft resolution on drift-net fishing, unauthorized fishing in zones of national jurisdiction and the high seas, fisheries by-catch and discards and other developments is one of particular relevance and importance. On behalf of the SOPAC delegations, I would like to voice in the strongest terms our support for this draft resolution and our deep collective concern regarding the continuing problems that the draft resolution addresses.

It is with great disappointment that we note the continuing report of drift-net fishing taking place in contravention of the terms of the moratorium agreed upon by the international community in resolution 46/215. This unacceptable mode of fishing has caused the loss of countless marine mammals and seabirds, as well as sharks, turtles and other species. We call upon all States which have not done so to take immediate and effective action to ban illegal drift-netting. In this context, we are pleased to see that for the first time the draft resolution draws attention to the problem of transfer of illegal nets to other parts of the world. If Governments are serious about their commitment to the drift-net ban they must take action to ensure that its enforcement in some parts of the world does not result in the same nets turning up in other parts of the world. The SOPAC delegations reiterate their view that Governments have a responsibility to confiscate and destroy illegal drift-nets. Clearly, efforts to address this problem would also be assisted by developing effective disciplinary regimes for the manufacturing and distribution of drift-nets.

The draft resolution also calls on States to take greater enforcement measures to ensure that their vessels do not fish in areas under the national jurisdiction of other States unless authorized by that State and in accordance with the terms of that authorization. The issue of unauthorized fishing is a crucial one for the South Pacific, and we endorse the call in the draft resolution for development assistance for the monitoring and control of fishing activities.

Another important area for development assistance, in the view of our delegations, should be the facilitation of attendance by representatives of developing coastal States -- in particular small island developing States -- at significant negotiations on fisheries and other marine issues, such as the process taking place in the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations towards the adoption of plans of action on incidental catch, sharks and overcapacity. It is important that small island States be able to participate in such meetings where important decisions are being taken regarding fisheries and conservation issues.

The SOPAC delegations look forward to next year's session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, which will focus on oceans and seas. We believe that the Commission is particularly well placed to take an overview of developments in the area of oceans and seas by virtue of its having broad representation from all sectors engaged in ocean issues. We hope that the discussions in the Commission will lead to a more integrated and effective approach to the problems of the oceans.

Mr. Effendi (Indonesia)

At the outset, my delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his annual report on the item entitled "Oceans and the law of the sea", which provides a firm basis for our deliberations. Allow me also to commend the staff of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea of the Office of Legal Affairs for the outstanding work carried out during the past year.

This meeting of the General Assembly is being held against the backdrop of some important events in the field of the law of the sea. As we approach the end of the International Year of the Ocean, this is a most fitting time to reflect on the growing universal participation in and adherence to the legal framework laid down by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Moreover, the operation of all the institutions created by the Convention attests to the fact that this landmark instrument has paved the way not only for the implementation of a universal legal framework governing the world's oceans, but also for the regulation of those areas for which the Convention was established.

Other significant developments include the opening up for signature of the Protocol on the privileges and immunities of the International Seabed Authority, the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation and Relationship between the United Nations and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and the adoption of an interim ordinance by the host country, Germany, pending the conclusion of a Headquarters Agreement. All these bode well for the establishment of global governance for the seas and oceans.

The true success of the Convention, of course, lies in the commitment of Member States to fully abide by its provisions. The fact that 122 Member States have deposited instruments of ratification since its entry into force augurs well for the universality of the Convention, especially by enhancing the widest possible participation of the global community. The full realization of the Convention requires cooperation of such a magnitude as to go beyond the present and well into the future, thereby serving the interests of future generations by making it possible to reap the immense benefits of the oceans while protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development.

On the eve of the next millennium, it is imperative that we make concerted efforts to adopt a national strategy for the oceans based on the principles of integrated management. As the report of the Secretary-General indicates, this is necessary to ensure appropriate coordination for efficient decision-making at the national level. The development of harmonized national practices through a coherent application of the Convention is important. It should therefore be stressed that since the problems of the oceans are closely intertwined, they should be considered as a whole. To this end, the role of the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea as the focal point for a coordinated and integrated approach to activities on the law of the sea should be further strengthened.

Indonesia, as an archipelagic State, attaches great importance to all issues relating to the law of the sea. It has demonstrated its support for the Convention through its active participation in all the bodies created by the Convention since the outset and will continue to play an active role. Since ratifying the Convention in 1985, Indonesia has enacted relevant legislation and has revised its national laws and regulations to ensure conformity with the provisions of the Convention. Indonesia recognizes that the rights of States go hand in hand with their responsibilities, especially with regard to the protection of the marine environment, the proper management of ocean resources and the necessary protection of the rights of other countries.

Indonesia has issued a Government regulation on the list of geographical coordinates of the archipelagic baselines of Indonesia in the Natuna Sea, as stated in the report of the Secretary-General. Such a regulation was necessary due to Indonesia's proposal to establish archipelagic sea lanes in accordance with the Convention, which was approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in May 1998. Furthermore, cognizant of the fact that this was the first instance whereby IMO adopted a system of archipelagic sea lanes, it is noteworthy that the Maritime Safety Committee has instructed the Subcommittee on the Safety of Navigation to develop a safety of navigation circular and to invite archipelagic States to participate in that exercise. These steps are in line with the draft resolution contained in document A/53/L.35, which calls for States to harmonize their national legislation as a matter of priority with the provisions of the Convention.

Rapid advances in science and technology offer unique opportunities to tap the resources of the vast seas, as well as to face the challenges in preserving the marine environment while ensuring that ocean resources are managed in a sustainable manner. All these objectives can be achieved if we are able to strike a harmonious balance between nature and the needs of humankind. We should therefore make efforts in a spirit of cooperation and understanding to enhance global interaction in order to fully utilize the oceans and seas, including those beyond national jurisdictions, for the common heritage of mankind.

Aware of the fragility of the ecosystems of the Indonesian archipelagic waters, which are threatened both by land-based and vessel-sourced pollution, Indonesia is working towards ensuring that its surrounding waters are utilized in an integrated and sustainable way in order to maintain environmental quality and to provide the maximum benefit for its national development. In this regard, it is appropriate to recall the provisions of Agenda 21 and the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity, which called for the improved implementation of a global programme of action to protect the marine environment. To this end, Indonesia has carried out in cooperation with Norway a country study on integrated coastal and marine biodiversity management. It has also initiated the Indonesian Coastal and Marine Environmental Management Project with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. As an archipelagic State dealing with the associated problems posed by population growth and other economic activities, Indonesia has placed great importance on integrated coastal zone management to tackle these complex questions, and to that end has established the Indonesian National Maritime Council.

Indonesia believes that a regional approach is significant in promoting cooperation in marine affairs. It has over the years demonstrated its commitment to regional cooperation through Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) mechanisms as well as the other regional and international organizations to which it belongs. In ensuring good-neighbourly relations, it has concluded a number of maritime agreements with neighbouring countries, reflecting its commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in the region. Within the framework of regional cooperation, the revised East Asian Action Plan for the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Marine and Coastal Areas of the East Asian Region and the Long-term Strategy -- COBSEA, 1994-2009 -- of which Indonesia has been a member since its inception, is currently being implemented, focusing on a regional and country overview of the sources of land-based activities that pollute the environment and a regional action plan with contributions from each of the member countries.

The real threat posed by the depletion of fishery resources remains a source of concern to the international community. The recent assessment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) showed that the world's marine fisheries resources continue to decline by 35 per cent, compounded by a high exploitation level of 25 per cent; these are dismal facts. In this regard, the implementation of the 1995 Fish Stocks Agreement, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Declaration by the Third Conference of Ministers of Fisheries held last year are important initiatives in addressing the need for the rational and long-term utilization of high-seas fisheries.

For developing countries, technical cooperation is essential for meeting their responsibilities and for enhancing their ability to participate in pursuing fishing endeavours in a sustainable manner. Indonesia's recent endeavours in this field have included the issuance of regulations that have made the application of a by-catch excluder device mandatory for shrimp trawler fishery.

My delegation would now like to turn to the growing problem of piracy and armed robbery against ships. The daunting spiralling increase of such criminal acts at sea have propelled this issue to the top of the agenda of a number of organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the Meeting of States Parties to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the General Assembly itself. No part of the oceans and seas is immune from such criminal activities, including South-East Asia. According to the last annual report of the International Maritime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce, in 1997 alone there were 47 reported incidents of attacks in and around Indonesian archipelagic waters. Regrettably, due to the complexity of the geographical situation of the area, many of these crimes are not even reported to the local authorities.

In this regard, it is our view that enhanced international, regional and bilateral cooperation are a sine qua non to tackle this perennial problem. It will also be impossible to effectively deal with such incidents without the exchange of data and information among countries. The convening of regional seminars is another valuable tool to assisting countries in enhancing their capabilities to deter such crimes and in formulating effective strategies to rigorously pursue the eradication of piracy from their coastal waters.

Among the member States of ASEAN, cooperation has proved most beneficial with the establishment of the ASEANAPOL Data Base System. Likewise, the international data network system should be supported by reliable law enforcement. Unfortunately, financial constraints have also made it particularly difficult for the developing countries to combat crimes at sea. In this regard, we support the IMO initiatives, especially that of sending experts to areas with a higher frequency of incidents to discuss the implementation of the IMO Guidelines for Preventing and Suppressing Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships. As part of the cooperative efforts to combat crimes and armed robbery at sea, an IMO team of experts visited Indonesia last month.

Finally, as in past years, Indonesia is pleased to co-sponsor the draft resolution before us contained in document A/53/L.35, and it earnestly hopes that all Member States will lend it support.