A senior official of the Department of Ocean Development participated in the 7th Session of UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) held at New York during 19-0 April, 1999. Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests headed the delegation. The major theme, which was covered for discussion and decision in the 7th CSD was "Ocean and Seas". Some of the major issues which were discussed under this sectoral theme of “Ocean and Seas” included ocean’s governance, subsidies in the fishery sector, banning of the use of persistent organic pollutants, eco-labelling, controlling the use of harmful anti-fouling paints etc. At the instance of the India delegation, the issue of subsidies in the fishery sector was left to be decided by the authorities concerned in the Food and Agriculture Organisation, as India provides subsidies to the fishermen for subsistence fisheries and not for high sea or commercial fishing as in other developed countries. Similarly, the World Trade Organisation Regulations on subsidies were also resisted by the Indian delegation and hence was kept out of the purview of 7th CSD for a decision. With respect to imposing a ban on use of persistent organic pollutants such as DDT, the Indian delegation opined that it may take some time for a umber of developing countries including India to develop insecticides/pesticides which are eco- friendly and hence suggested transfer of the expertise, technology etc. On concessional and preferential terms to the developing countries which may require such assistance in line with the provisions of UNCED, 19992 and 1997. This was agreed upon by the CSD and was suitably incorporated in the recommendations. Similarly on the question of development of controls on harmful anti-fouling paints used on ships as well as on the issue of ship wrecking, the Indian delegation ensured that the development of such framework under the International Maritime Organisation is linked to the provisions of ESTs on favourable and preferential terms to the developing countries.