Exploration and exploitation of the sea-bed and its sub-soil

Recommendation 625 (1971)

Author(s):

Parliamentary Assembly

Origin

Assembly debate on 21 January 1971 (22nd Sitting) (see Doc. 2895, report of the Legal Affairs Committee). Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 January 1971 (22nd Sitting).

The Assembly,

1. Recalling its wish to contribute to solving the problems of exploration and ex-ploitation of the seabed and its subsoil ;

2. Recalling its Resolution 429 (1970), in which it was decided to hold a Symposium composed of members of national parliaments interested in the problems of the peaceful use of the sea and the ocean depths ;

3. Having been informed of the work of this Symposium held in Strasbourg, from 3 to 5 December 1970 ;

4. Convinced that the exploration and exploitation of ocean resources and questions relating to the conservation of the marine environment must henceforth be a matter of major concern to mankind ;

5. Noting that the immense extent and complexity of the problems involved are in themselves tending to delay the adoption of the immediate solutions called for by the rapid development of civil and military technology and the imminent possibility of non-peaceful or irrational use of spaces and resources which should serve only to foster peace and prosperity to the good of mankind as a whole ;

6. Desirous of helping European States to gain constant and broad access to the technological, scientific, legal and political information on which the adoption of adequate rules and standards depends, and of contributing to the growth of the knowledge and means required for the exploitation of ocean expanses ;

7. Noting that the United Nations General Assembly decided at its last session to convene in 1973 a conference to work out international provisions governing the ex-ploitation of the ocean depths ;

8. Convinced that, if the European States are to be able to play a part in keeping with their interests, close contacts between them must be formed at once with an eye to the 1973 Conference, in order to facilitate the establishment of common solutions or proposals on basic issues ;

9. Convinced that it is possible with-out further delay to adopt regional solutions to certain particularly acute problems facing the European maritime community, and that such solutions might serve as an example and demonstrate that Europe is still faithful to its tradition as a moving spirit behind the law of the sea,

10. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers convene, as a matter of urgency, an ad hoc committee composed of high government officials and experts with the task of continuously exchanging views on matters relating to the conservation and exploitation of the oceans, and in particular on the problems arising in this connection at world-wide and at regional level.