Part in nany alevelopoent progrannea as rrell aB being cruclal for ehe gafety of navigation. The International Hydrographic Organizatlon (IHO) has recently conducted, in co-operation sith the Unlted Nations Department of Technical co-operation for Developrnent, a survey of the Etatus of hydlrograPhlc surveylng and nautical charttng ror lal nide. 1! Efre survey lncludes detalls on 6one 50 out of 140 coastal States, as to l,hetfr;r or not national waters are adeguatelt aurveryed of, requlre re-survey or are not survelted. From the lnfornation obtained, lt is apparent that an enorflbus arbunt of nork ls necensary to Provitle uP-to-alatse nautical charts. Noted in particular nas hhe lor' respon€e rate to tbe IHO inqulryA/40 /923 English Page 28 from Africa and the pacifrc, where there are very large excrusive econonic zones,nhere Eea-borne trade is vltar and wbere capability ln hydrographic survef ing andnautical chartlng is at best mlninar. The rBo 6ur9et concluales that large areas ofcontlnental shelves and excluslve economlc Eone vraEers are inadequately surveyed ornot surveyed at arr and that the majority of coastal states have littre or nocapability for carrying oub ev€n vital port or port-approach surveys or forpublishing charts ensuring safety of navrgat.ion in rraterE under their Jurisdictionor for napping the sea-bed of their exclusive economlc zones. !.!/ The;e is littlehope thaL states nilr be able guichly to reneily the situatlon llvbn the htgh costsand tlme needed to create even an elementary hyatrographlc capauttityt rlto hasconseguently emphasized the need for a long-terrr plan to train personnel ln basi.cskills and to utillze alr possible applicable technology for hydrographlc andchar t i.ng operations.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of hydrographic surveying and nautical charting for the safety of navigation, particularly in coastal areas where there are large exclusive economic zones and extensive maritime trade. It highlights the lack of adequate surveying and charting capabilities in many coastal states, which poses a significant risk to navigation and trade. The text also emphasizes the need for a long-term plan to train personnel and utilize technology for hydrographic and charting operations.

**Category**
Transport and communication, Science and technology