The General Assembly,
Recalling the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace, contained in its resolution 2832 (XXVI) of 16 December 1971, and recalling also its resolution 46/49 of 9 December 1991 and other relevant resolutions,
Recalling also the report on the Meeting of the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian Ocean held in July 1979,
Recalling further paragraphs 15 and 16, chapter III, of the Final Document adopted by the Tenth Conference of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries, held at Jakarta from 1 to 6 September 1992,
Affirming the importance of the establishment of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace to achieve the goals contained in the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace and as considered at the Meeting of the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian Ocean,
Welcoming the positive developments in international political relations, which offer opportunities for enhancing peace, security and cooperation, and expressing the hope that the new spirit of international cooperation will be reflected in the establishment of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean and in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean to that end,
Having considered the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean,
Noting with appreciation the offer made by the Government of Sri Lanka to host the United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean at Colombo,
Noting also that it may not be possible to convene the first stage of the United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean in accordance with resolution 46/49, and urging that consideration be given to the timing of such a conference at Colombo at the appropriate time,
Desirous of continuing its efforts for the establishment of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean,
Considering the need for new alternative approaches for the establishment of a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean,
1. Takes note of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean;
2. Requests the Ad Hoc Committee to consider new alternative approaches leading to the achievement of the goals contained in the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace and as considered at the Meeting of the Littoral and Hinterland States of the Indian Ocean held in July 1979, taking into account the changing international situation;
3. Also requests the Ad Hoc Committee to address the complex ramifications of the issues involved and differing perceptions on these issues as well as the future role of the Ad Hoc Committee and to make recommendations for consideration by the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session;
4. Decides to convene, as early as possible thereafter, the United Nations Conference on the Indian Ocean at Colombo with the participation of the permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean;
5. Calls upon the permanent members of the Security Council and the major maritime users of the Indian Ocean to participate in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee;
6. Requests the Ad Hoc Committee to hold a session during 1993, with a duration of not more than ten working days;
7. Also requests the Ad Hoc Committee to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session a comprehensive report on the implementation of the present resolution;
8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to render all necessary assistance to the Ad Hoc Committee, including the provision of summary records;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-eighth session the item entitled "Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace".
81st plenary meeting
9 December 1992
