The Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) considered a number of major topics at this session, including the future of GESAMP and the completion of the Strategic Plan, which GESAMP and its supporting agencies are committed to implementing as soon as possible. The supporting agencies have agreed to initiate the development of the GESAMP pool of experts and to take concrete steps to establish the GESAMP office. GESAMP took note of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/57/141 requesting the establishment of a regular global marine assessment process by 2004 and proposed that it play a significant role in that process.