In accordance with UNCLOS, the CLCS was established as a commission composed of experts in geology, geophysics, and hydrography. When coastal States submit proposals for the extension of their continental shelves beyond 200 nautical miles, the commission is responsible for making recommendations, after examining the proposals from scientific and technological perspectives. Amidst the rough and tumble of international relations, for an impartial body of experts to maintain their independence and make such recommendations is a highly significant accomplishment.

Marine resources such as bio-fuels based on algae can be produced endlessly, as long as there is sea and sun. The fixing of CO2 generated by human activity into algae, and then extracting energy necessary for human activity from this algae creates a high value-added resource. If this process of matter recirculation can be refined to a high level, it will make great contributions towards solving global environmental and energy problems.

Many species of marine organisms create shells of calcium carbonate, which remain after the organisms die. Over a period of several hundred million years the accumulated shells have formed a huge pool of carbon dioxide in the form of limestone, reducing the concentration of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. I believe it will be increasingly important in future to conserve the marine environment.