126 Article 268 Basic objectives States, directly or through competent international organizations, shall promote: (a) the acquisition, evaluation and dissemination of marine technological knowledge and facilitate access to such information and data; (b) the development of appropriate marine technology; (c) the development of the necessary technological infrastructure to facilitate the transfer of marine technology; (d) the development of human resources through training and education of nationals of developing States and countries and especially the nationals of the least developed among them; (e) international cooperation at all levels, particularly at the regional, subregional and bilateral levels. Article 269 Measures to achieve the basic objectives In order to achieve the objectives referred to in article 268, States, directly or through competent international organizations, shall endeavour, inter alia, to: (a) establish programmes of technical cooperation for the effective transfer of all kinds of marine technology to States which may need and request technical assistance in this field, particularly the developing land-locked and geographically disadvantaged States, as well as other developing States which have not been able either to establish or develop their own technological capacity in marine science and in the exploration and exploitation of marine resources or to develop the infrastructure of such technology; (b) promote favourable conditions for the conclusion of agreements, contracts and other similar arrangements, under equitable and reasonable conditions; (c) hold conferences, seminars and symposia on scientific and technological subjects, in particular on policies and methods for the transfer of marine technology; (d) promote the exchange of scientists and of technological and other experts; (e) undertake projects and promote joint ventures and other forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. SECTION 2. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Article 270 Ways and means of international cooperation International cooperation for the development and transfer of marine technology shall be carried out, where feasible and appropriate, through existing bilateral, regional or multilateral programmes, and also through expanded and new programmes in order to facilitate marine scientific research, the transfer of marine technology, particularly in new fields, and appropriate international funding for ocean research and development.