A/RES/66/288 Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology. 41 161. We support the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment, including Socioeconomic Aspects, established under the auspices of the General Assembly, and look forward to the completion of its first global integrated assessment of the state of the marine environment by 2014 and the subsequent consideration by the Assembly. We encourage consideration by States of the assessment findings at appropriate levels. 162. We recognize the importance of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. We note the ongoing work under the auspices of the General Assembly of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction. Building on the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group and before the end of the sixtyninth session of the General Assembly, we commit to address, on an urgent basis, the issue of the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, including by taking a decision on the development of an international instrument under the Convention on the Law of the Sea. 163. We note with concern that the health of oceans and marine biodiversity are negatively affected by marine pollution, including marine debris, especially plastic, persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals and nitrogen-based compounds, from a number of marine and land-based sources, including shipping and land run-off. We commit to take action to reduce the incidence and impacts of such pollution on marine ecosystems, including through the effective implementation of relevant conventions adopted in the framework of the International Maritime Organization, and the follow-up of relevant initiatives such as the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities, 42 as well as the adoption of coordinated strategies to this end. We further commit to take action to, by 2025, based on collected scientific data, achieve significant reductions in marine debris to prevent harm to the coastal and marine environment. 164. We note the significant threat that alien invasive species pose to marine ecosystems and resources, and commit to implement measures to prevent the introduction and manage the adverse environmental impacts of alien invasive species, including, as appropriate, those adopted in the framework of the International Maritime Organization. 165. We note that sea-level rise and coastal erosion are serious threats for many coastal regions and islands, particularly in developing countries, and in this regard we call upon the international community to enhance its efforts to address these challenges. 166. We call for support to initiatives that address ocean acidification and the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems and resources. In this regard, we reiterate the need to work collectively to prevent further ocean acidification, as well as to enhance the resilience of marine ecosystems and of the communities whose livelihoods depend on them, and to support marine scientific research, _______________ 41 42 See Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, document IOC/INF-1203. See A/51/116, annex II. 31