Caribbean people, particularly the poor and vulnerable members of society.” 11 19. For its part, on different occasions, the General Assembly of the United Nations has acknowledged the dependence of the inhabitants of the coasts and islands of the Caribbean on their marine ecosystem and, consequently, the fundamental importance of the protection of this environment for all the States of the region. For example, in the preamble to Resolution A/Res/61/197: “Towards the sustainable development of the Caribbean Sea for present and future generations,” adopted on December 20, 2006, the General Assembly indicated that: “Recognizing that the Caribbean Sea has a unique biodiversity and highly fragile ecosystem, Bearing in mind the heavy reliance of most of the Caribbean economies on their coastal areas, as well as on the marine environment in general, to achieve their sustainable development needs and goals, Acknowledging that the intensive use of the Caribbean Sea for maritime transport, as well as the considerable number and interlocking character of the maritime areas under national jurisdiction where Caribbean countries exercise their rights and duties under international law, present a challenge for the effective management of the resources, Noting the problem of marine pollution caused, inter alia, by land-based sources and the continuing threat of pollution from ship-generated waste and sewage, as well as from the accidental release of hazardous and noxious substances in the Caribbean Sea area, Cognizant of the importance of the Caribbean Sea to present and future generations and to the heritage and the continuing economic well-being and sustenance of people living in the area, and the urgent need for the countries of the region to take appropriate steps for its preservation and protection, with the support of the international community.” 20. The dependence of the inhabitants of the Caribbean on the marine environment, as well as its fragility, have also been verified and recognized by all the States of the Region that are party to the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena de Indias, March 24, 1983), the preamble of which states: “The Contracting Parties, Fully aware of the economic and social value of the marine environment, including coastal areas, of the wider Caribbean region, Conscious of their responsibility to protect the marine environment of the wider Caribbean region for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations, Recognizing the special hydrographic and ecological characteristics of the region and its vulnerability to pollution, Recognizing further the threat to the marine environment, its ecological equilibrium, resources and legitimate uses posed by pollution and by the absence of sufficient integration of an environmental dimension into the development process, 11 Ibid. p. 22. 21