In accordance with resolution 2997 (XXVII) of the United Na­tions General Assembly, UNEP was established "as a focal point for environmental action and co-ordination within the United Nations sys­tem". The Governing Council of UNEP has defined this environmental action as encompassing a comprehensive, transsectorial approach to envi­ronmental problems which should deal not only with the consequences but also with the causes of environmental degradation. 2. Among the priority areas in which activities are to be developed, the UNEP Governing Council has designated "Oceans". In order to deal with the complexity of the environmental problems of the oceans in an integrated way, the Governing Council adopted a regional approach as exemplified by its Regional Seas Programme