39. The principre of che duty !o render a.sistance to persons in distress at seanhich is embodied in the convencion on the Latr of the sla (art. gg) has speclalinportance in relation to the rescue of astlun-seekers. The number of rescues madehas decreased siqnificantl.y in the past tvro years, thus giving greater importanceto Rescue at sea Resettlenent offers (nAsRo) scheme of the office of the unitearNations Hlgh Comnissioner for Refugees (LNHCR) . In addition to the efforts oflJNrlcR, rl'ro keeps under continuing revie, infornation and proposals rerevant to therescue of asyrun-seekers in distress at sea. lbst recentr.y the r'o @uncir inJune 1985 expressed full support for the objective of promoting appropr iatebunanitarian neasures to assiat or rescue persons in distress at sea and adopted adecision urging covernnents' organizations anar ship owners concerned to intensifytheir efforts in ensuring that the necessary asslsCance ie provided to any personin distress at sea. The sec r etary-ceneral ot ruo i, alirected !o cont.inueconaultalions w'th all appropriate bodles of the Unlted Nations, including UNHCR,in order to further these objectives. 40' Piracy and arned robbery agai.nst shlps is of particurar concern in such areasas west Africa, the Maracca straits and the south china sea. while there has beenan encouragrng decrine in the percencage of boats attacked in the south china seathe revel 0f viorence associated with such attacks has renained high. under theAnti-Piracy Arrangenents estabrished by tbe Royar Thai Governnent, which has nowbeen extended for a third year through the co_operation of a number of donorcovernments, continuing efforts are berng maae including preventive sea and airPatrols, follo'-up investigation and prosecution of suspecLs and nation-hrideregistration of fistring boats. rMo a;d uNHcR also naintain close contacts on theseguestions, and rMf, conrinues Eo study both rescue at sea and anti-piracv Droblens.A/40/923 Eng Ii Eh Page 13 3. conditions for r€glstration of sbips 41. The United Natlons Conference on contlitions for Registration of ships (Unlteat Nations Conference on Trade and Deeelopment (UNCTAD, ) held the thlrd part of its segsion in July 1985. At the fourth part, sctreduled for 20 ,January to 7 February 1986, the Conference can be expected to flnallze and adopt an international agreenent concerning the condltions under whlch vessels should be accepted on national Bhipplng register6. Ihe ou tcone of thls Conference ls of direct relevance to the implementation of articLea 91, 92 and 94 of the United Nations conventlon on the Law of the Sea. 42. The prlnci,ple according to t hich there nust exl3t a genuine link betlteen a
**Analysis**
The text discusses various international efforts and agreements related to maritime issues, such as the rescue of asylum-seekers and anti-piracy measures. It also touches on the registration of ships and the implementation of international agreements. The focus is on international cooperation and governance, rather than on specific economic or environmental aspects.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Transport and communication