http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/preamble.htm
UNITED
NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA
and the
AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
PART XI OF THE CONVENTION
Full texts
PREAMBLE
The States Parties to this Convention,
Prompted by the
desire to settle, in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, all
issues relating to the law of the sea and aware of the historic significance of
this Convention as an important contribution to the maintenance of peace,
justice and progress for all peoples of the world,
Noting that
developments since the United Nations Conferences on the Law of the Sea held at
Geneva in 1958 and 1960 have accentuated the need for a new and generally
acceptable Convention on the law of the sea,
Conscious that the
problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and need to be considered as a
whole,
Recognizing the
desirability of establishing through this Convention, with due regard for the
sovereignty of all States, a legal order for the seas and oceans which will
facilitate international communication, and will promote the peaceful uses of
the seas and oceans, the equitable and efficient utilization of their
resources, the conservation of their living resources, and the study,
protection and preservation of the marine environment,
Bearing in mind
that the achievement of these goals will contribute to the realization of a
just and equitable international economic order which takes into account the
interests and needs of mankind as a whole and, in particular, the special
interests and needs of developing countries, whether coastal or land-locked,
Desiring by this
Convention to develop the principles embodied in resolution 2749 (XXV) of
17 December 1970 in which the General Assembly of the United Nations
solemnly declared inter alia that the area of the seabed and ocean
floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, as
well as its resources, are the common heritage of mankind, the exploration and
exploitation of which shall be carried out for the benefit of mankind as a
whole, irrespective of the geographical location of States,
Believing that the
codification and progressive development of the law of the sea achieved in this
Convention will contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, cooperation
and friendly relations among all nations in conformity with the principles of
justice and equal rights and will promote the economic and social advancement
of all peoples of the world, in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of
the United Nations as set forth in the Charter,
Affirming that
matters not regulated by this Convention continue to be governed by the rules
and principles of general international law,
Have agreed as
follows:
United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea - Preamble