UNESCO. General Conference; 30th; Records ... - unesdoc - Unesco

programme has been given reasonable funding and reasonable time for implementation. It would be unfortunate
if it was evaluated to its detriment. Thank you, Madam President.
46. The PRESIDENT:
The next delegate to take the floor is the representative of Tonga, who will be followed by that of Belize
and then by that of Burkina Faso.
47.1 Mr BLOOMFIELD (Tonga):
Thank you, Madam President. My delegation would like to extend its appreciation to the Chairperson of
Commission III and his staff for their excellent work. I would like, Madam President, to refer to document
30 C/63, item 6.7 relating to the revised Statutes of IOC. I speak on behalf of 16 Pacific island States, and
possibly New Zealand. I know that Australia is with us. I also know that it is very relevant to all coastal States
and nations of the world: small coastal nations, the Caribbean island States and the small island States of the
Indian Ocean. This, Madam President, is a subject that is part and parcel of our life - it is relevant to us all.
47.2 I would like to refer to a discussion I had with a member of the IOC Secretariat today during which we
came to a conclusion to take this path in the revised Statutes. I therefore think it is preferable to include the
marine processes of coastal areas and oceans. Countries involved with the coastal areas are often small islands
and marine processes have a vital impact on their livelihoods. We have tried to make an improvement to the text
adopted by the Legal Committee in document 30 C/77, Article 2, paragraphs 1 and 2, and to see how marine
processes should be incorporated into this concept. The text should cover both ocean and coastal areas involved
with marine processes. I think, Madam President, this is a very satisfactory compromise. We would therefore like
to amend the text adopted by the IOC Assembly and Commission III because coastal areas include coastal lands,
human settlements, peoples and so on and the study of sustainable development requires an interdisciplinary and
intersectoral approach. Such a holistic and integrated approach typically includes the natural sciences, especially
terrestrial ones, the social sciences, culture, and so forth. In this work oceanographers and marine scientists can
contribute in their own sphere, which concerns areas further out from the island coasts, the deep sea. I think the
compromise is excellent because those countries that cannot afford research into the ocean can benefit from the
studies of coastal marine processes available to them. And those, like big countries, who can afford the necessary
ships, can deal with the ocean. So we would like, Madam President, to include the marine processes of coastal
areas as well as those of the oceans.
47.3 I know it is a subject difficult to understand but I have tried to explain both sides of the issue, as it
relates to coastal areas and to the oceans. As small island developing States consist of coastal areas in their
entirety, the need for an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and holistic integrated approach is of even more crucial
importance. I would now like to read out the amendments I propose, which concern Article 2, paragraphs 1 and
2, of the Revised Statutes of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in document 30 C/77. I propose
that the said paragraphs read as follows:
“1. The purpose of the Commission is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate
programmes in research, services and capacity-building, in order to learn more about the nature,
resources and marine processes of coastal areas and oceans and to apply that knowledge for the
improvement of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, and
the decision-making processes of its Member States.”
“2. The Commission will collaborate with international organizations concerned with the work of the
Commission, and specially with those organizations of the United Nations system which are willing and
prepared to contribute to the purpose and functions of the Commission and/or to seek advice and
cooperation in the field of scientific research on marine processes of coastal areas and oceans, related
services and capacity-building.”
48. The PRESIDENT:
I have a number of speakers on my list and should like to know who wishes to speak on the amendment
proposed by Tonga. However, I should first like to give the floor to the Chairperson of the Commission.
49. Mr LUGUJJO (Uganda), Chairperson of Commission III:
Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, my oral report is a reflection of what was discussed in
Commission III. With respect to the Tongan proposal I have to inform you that Tonga has not had detailed
discussions with any of the IOC hierarchy, although a few minutes ago we were ready to believe that there had
been a very thorough discussion and a consensus. So when you take the floor, you have to bear in mind that such
consultations have not taken place. Secondly, when we were debating this issue of the Statutes, a number of
delegates took the floor, and we were informed that the IOC Assembly is made up of experts who possess great
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