THE CONFERENCE,

HAVING adopted the amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS Convention), concerning radiocommunications for the global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS),

BEING AWARE of the importance of modern radiocommunication techniques with a view to improving both the safety of life at sea and international co-operation in technical and scientific resources,

BEING AWARE ALSO of the imperative and immediate need to redress the imbalance in the availability of telecommunication technology and services between developed and developing countries,

RECOGNIZING that Contracting Governments to the SOLAS Convention, as amended in 1988, will be called upon to make arrangements to ensure the effective operation of the GMDSS and to assume full responsibility for such arrangements,

BEING CONVINCED that the promotion of technical co-operation at intergovernmental level will expedite the implementation of the SOLAS Convention, as amended in 1988, by Contracting Governments that do not as yet possess the necessary technical and scientific resources,

NOTING with satisfaction that the International Maritime Organisation has accorded, in its overall programme, a high priority to technical co-operation,

1. RECORDS its appreciation of the Organisation's assistance to developing countries to enhance their maritime capabilities in conformity with global technical standards including radiocommunication standards;

2. URGES Contracting Governments, in consultation with, and assisted by, the International Maritime Organisation, to promote and provide on reasonable commercial terms and conditions, support to States requesting technical assistance for:
(a) the training of the required personnel; and
(b) the provision of the equipment and facilities necessary for the introduction of the GMDSS;

3. ALSO URGES Contracting Governments to implement the above-mentioned measures without awaiting the entry into force of the amendments adopted;

4. INVITES the Organization, in consultation or association with other United Nations specialised agencies as appropriate, particularly the International Telecommunication Union and the World Meteorological Organisation, to pursue the aforesaid efforts and, as necessary, to seek the collaboration of the International Hydrographic Organisation, the International Maritime Satellite Organisation, the COSPAS-SARSAT Council and the World Maritime University;

5. REQUESTS the Secretary-General to seek ways and means of securing the necessary funds to assist States which request assistance for the implementation of the amendments adopted.