Resolutionen und Beschlüsse des Wirtschafts- und Sozialrats, verabschiedet auf seiner Arbeitstagung 2005 (29. Juni bis 27. Juli 2005) [Auszug] Resolution 2005/20 Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren Der Wirtschafts- und Sozialrat, unter Hinweis auf seine Resolution 1996/16 vom 23. Juli 1996, in der er den Generalsekretär ersuchte, den Einsatz und die Anwendung der Regeln und Normen der Vereinten Nationen auf dem Gebiet der Verbrechensverhütung und Strafrechtspflege weiter zu fördern, sowie unter Hinweis auf seine Resolution 2004/27 vom 21. Juli 2004 über Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren, in der er den Generalsekretär ersuchte, eine zwischenstaatliche Sachverständigengruppe zur Ausarbeitung von Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren einzuberufen, ferner unter Hinweis auf die Resolution 40/34 der Generalversammlung vom 29. No-vember 1985, mit der die Versammlung die in der Anlage der genannten Resolution enthaltene Erklärung über Grundprinzipien der rechtmäßigen Behandlung von Verbrechensopfern und Opfern von Machtmissbrauch verabschiedete, unter Hinweis auf die Bestimmungen des von der Generalversammlung mit ihrer Resolution 44/25 vom 20. November 1989 verabschiedeten Übereinkommens über die Rechte des Kindes, insbesondere dessen Artikel 3 und 39, sowie die Bestimmungen des von der Versammlung mit ihrer Resolution 54/263 vom 25. Mai 2000 verabschiedeten Fakultativprotokolls zum Übereinkommen über die Rechte des Kindes betreffend den Verkauf von Kindern, die Kinderprostitution und die Kinderpornografie, insbesondere dessen Artikel 8, in der Erkenntnis, dass Gerechtigkeit für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten sichergestellt werden muss, während gleichzeitig die Rechte der Beschuldigten gesichert werden, sowie in der Erkenntnis, dass Kinder, die Opfer und Zeugen sind, besonders gefährdet sind und ihrem Alter, ihrer Reife und ihren individuellen Bedürfnissen entsprechend besonderen Schutz und Beistand sowie besondere Unterstützung benötigen, um eine weitere Belastung und Traumatisierung zu verhüten, die ihnen aus der Teilnahme an dem Strafverfahren erwachsen könnte, eingedenk der schwerwiegenden körperlichen, psychischen und emotionalen Folgen von Straftaten und Viktimisierung für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen, insbesondere in Fällen sexueller Ausbeutung, sowie eingedenk dessen, dass die Teilnahme von kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen an dem Strafverfahren für eine wirksame Strafverfolgung notwendig ist, insbesondere wenn das Kind nicht nur Opfer, sondern auch der einzige Zeuge ist, in Anerkennung des Beitrags des Internationalen Büros für Kinderrechte, das die Grundlagen für die Ausarbeitung von Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren legte, mit Anerkennung Kenntnis nehmend von der Arbeit der Tagung der Zwischenstaatlichen Sachverständigengruppe zur Ausarbeitung von Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren, die am 15. und 16. März 2005 in Wien stattfand und für die die Regierung Kanadas außerplanmäßige Mittel bereitstellte, sowie Kenntnis nehmend von dem Bericht der Zwischenstaatlichen Sachverständigengruppe, Kenntnis nehmend von dem Bericht des vom 18. bis 25. April 2005 in Bangkok abgehaltenen Elften Kongresses der Vereinten Nationen für Verbrechensverhütung und Strafrechtspflege zu dem Tagesordnungspunkt "Normen zur Anwendung bringen: Fünfzig Jahre Normsetzung auf dem Gebiet der Verbrechensverhütung und der Strafrechtspflege", unter Begrüßung der Erklärung von Bangkok über Synergien und Maßnahmen: Strategische Allianzen auf dem Gebiet der Verbrechensverhütung und der Strafrechtspflege, die auf dem Tagungsteil auf hoher Ebene des Elften Kongresses der Vereinten Nationen für Verbrechensverhütung und Strafrechtspflege verabschiedet wurde, insbesondere deren Ziffern 17 und 33, in denen die Wichtigkeit der Unterstützung und der Bereitstellung von Diensten für Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten anerkannt wird, 1. verabschiedet die dieser Resolution als Anlage beigefügten Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren als einen nützlichen Rahmen, der den Mitgliedstaaten helfen könnte, den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen innerhalb des Strafjustizsystems zu verbessern; 2. bittet die Mitgliedstaaten, die Leitlinien nach Bedarf für die Ausarbeitung von Rechtsvorschriften, Verfahren, Politiken und Praktiken für Kinder, die Opfer von Straftaten oder Zeugen in Strafverfahren sind, heranzuziehen; 3. fordert diejenigen Mitgliedstaaten, die Rechtsvorschriften, Verfahren, Politiken oder Praktiken für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen erarbeitet haben, auf, anderen Staaten auf Antrag gegebenenfalls Informationen zur Verfügung zu stellen und ihnen bei der Erarbeitung und Durchführung von Schulungs- oder sonstigen Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der Anwendung der Leitlinien behilflich zu sein; 4. fordert das Büro der Vereinten Nationen für Drogen- und Verbrechensbekämpfung auf, im Rahmen der verfügbaren außerplanmäßigen Mittel, ohne den Einsatz vorhandener Mittel aus dem ordentlichen Haushalt des Büros auszuschließen, den Mitgliedstaaten auf Antrag technische Hilfe sowie Beratende Dienste zu ihrer Unterstützung bei der Anwendung der Leitlinien zu gewähren; 5. ersucht den Generalsekretär, für die möglichst weite Verbreitung der Leitlinien bei den Mitgliedstaaten, den Instituten des Verbunds des Programms der Vereinten Nationen auf dem Gebiet der Verbrechensverhütung und der Strafrechtspflege und anderen internationalen, regionalen und nichtstaatlichen Organisationen und Institutionen zu sorgen; 6. empfiehlt, dass die Mitgliedstaaten die Aufmerksamkeit der zuständigen staatlichen und nichtstaatlichen Organisationen und Institutionen auf die Leitlinien lenken; 7. bittet die Institute des Verbunds des Programms der Vereinten Nationen auf dem Gebiet der Verbrechensverhütung und der Strafrechtspflege, Schulungsmaßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit den Leitlinien anzubieten und Informationen über auf einzelstaatlicher Ebene erfolgreiche Modelle zusammenzustellen und zu verbreiten; 8. ersucht den Generalsekretär, der Kommission für Verbrechensverhütung und Strafrechtspflege auf ihrer siebzehnten Tagung über die Durchführung dieser Resolution Bericht zu erstatten. Anlage Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren I. Ziele Diese Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren legen die gute fachliche Praxis fest, die auf dem Konsens über den gegenwärtigen Kenntnisstand und auf den einschlägigen internationalen und regionalen Normen, Standards und Grundsätzen beruht. Die Leitlinien sollen im Einklang mit den einschlägigen innerstaatlichen Rechtsvorschriften und justiziellen Verfahren angewandt werden und die rechtlichen, sozialen, wirtschaftlichen, kulturellen und geografischen Gegebenheiten berücksichtigen. Die Staaten sollen jedoch ständig bestrebt sein, praktische Schwierigkeiten bei der Anwendung der Leitlinien zu überwinden. Die Leitlinien schaffen einen praktischen Rahmen zur Erreichung der folgenden Ziele: a) bei der Überprüfung nationaler und innerstaatlicher Gesetze, Verfahren und Praktiken behilflich zu sein, damit sichergestellt ist, dass diese die Rechte kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten uneingeschränkt achten und zur Durchführung des Übereinkommens über die Rechte des Kindes durch die Vertragsstaaten dieses Übereinkommens beitragen; b) den Regierungen, internationalen Organisationen, öffentlichen Stellen, nichtstaatlichen Organisationen, Organisationen der Gemeinwesen und anderen Interessenträgern dabei behilflich zu sein, Rechtsvorschriften, Politiken, Programme und Praktiken auszuarbeiten, die wichtige Fragen im Zusammenhang mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen von Straftaten regeln; c) als Orientierung für Fachkräfte und gegebenenfalls Freiwillige zu dienen, die auf nationaler, regionaler und internationaler Ebene in der Erwachsenen- und Jugendgerichtsbarkeit in der täglichen Praxis mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen von Straftaten arbeiten, im Einklang mit der Erklärung über Grundprinzipien der rechtmäßigen Behandlung von Verbrechensopfern und Opfern von Machtmissbrauch; d) Betreuungspersonen von Kindern beim einfühlsamen Umgang mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen von Straftaten behilflich zu sein und sie dabei zu unterstützen. Bei der Umsetzung der Leitlinien soll jedes Land sicherstellen, dass angemessene Schulungs- und Auswahlmaßnahmen sowie Verfahren vorhanden sind, um kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten zu schützen und ihren besonderen Bedürfnissen gerecht zu werden, wenn die Art der Viktimisierung verschiedene Kategorien von Kindern in unterschiedlicher Weise betrifft, beispielsweise die sexuelle Nötigung von Kindern, insbesondere Mädchen. Die Leitlinien betreffen ein Gebiet, auf dem die Kenntnisse und die Praxis ständig erweitert und verbessert werden. Sie erheben weder Anspruch auf Vollständigkeit, noch schließen sie eine Weiterentwicklung aus, solange diese mit ihren grundlegenden Zielen und Grundsätzen vereinbar ist. Die Leitlinien könnten auch auf Verfahren im Rahmen informeller und gewohnheitsrechtlicher Systeme angewendet werden, wie die ausgleichsorientierte Justiz, sowie auf nichtstrafrechtliche Bereiche, beispielsweise das Sorgerecht, Scheidungsrecht, Adoptionsrecht, Kinderschutz, geistige Gesundheit, Staatsbürgerschaft, Einwanderungs- und Flüchtlingsrecht, ohne darauf beschränkt zu sein. Besondere Erwägungen Diese Leitlinien wurden erarbeitet a) in dem Bewusstsein, dass Millionen von Kindern überall auf der Welt durch Verbrechen und Machtmissbrauch Schaden erleiden, dass die Rechte dieser Kinder bisher nicht angemessen anerkannt wurden und dass ihnen durch die Teilnahme an Justizverfahren zusätzliches Leid erwachsen kann; b) in der Erkenntnis, dass Kinder gefährdet sind und ihrem Alter, ihrer Reife und ihren individuellen Bedürfnissen entsprechend besonderen Schutz benötigen; c) in der Erkenntnis, dass Mädchen besonders gefährdet sind und im Justizsystem in jeder Phase der Diskriminierung ausgesetzt sein können; d) unter Bekräftigung dessen, dass alles getan werden muss, um die Viktimisierung von Kindern zu verhüten, namentlich auch durch die Umsetzung der Leitlinien für die Verbrechensverhütung; e) in dem Bewusstsein, dass kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen zusätzliches Leid entstehen kann, wenn sie fälschlicherweise als Täter angesehen werden, während sie tatsächlich Opfer und Zeugen sind; f) unter Hinweis darauf, dass in dem Übereinkommen über die Rechte des Kindes Forderungen und Grundsätze aufgestellt werden, um die wirksame Anerkennung der Rechte des Kindes sicherzustellen, und dass in der Erklärung über Grundprinzipien der rechtmäßigen Behandlung von Verbrechensopfern und Opfern von Machtmissbrauch Grundsätze aufgestellt werden, um Opfern das Recht auf Information, Beteiligung, Schutz, Wiedergutmachung und Hilfe zu gewähren; g) unter Hinweis auf internationale und regionale Initiativen zur Verwirklichung der in der Erklärung über Grundprinzipien der rechtmäßigen Behandlung von Verbrechensopfern und Opfern von Machtmissbrauch festgeschriebenen Grundsätze, wie das Handbook on Justice for Victims (Handbuch über die rechtmäßige Behandlung von Opfern) und der Guide for Policy Makers on the Declaration of Basic Principles (Leitfaden für politische Entscheidungsträger zu der Erklärung über Grundprinzipien), die beide 1999 von dem Büro der Vereinten Nationen für Drogen- und Verbrechensbekämpfung herausgegeben wurden; h) in Anerkennung des Beitrags des Internationalen Büros für Kinderrechte, das die Grundlagen für die Ausarbeitung von Leitlinien für den Schutz kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in Justizverfahren legte; i) in Anbetracht dessen, dass ein besseres Eingehen auf kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten die Bereitschaft der Kinder und ihrer Familien erhöhen kann, Fälle von Viktimisierung aufzuzeigen und Justizverfahren zu unterstützen; j) unter Hinweis darauf, dass Gerechtigkeit für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten sichergestellt werden muss, während gleichzeitig die Rechte der Beschuldigten sowie verurteilter Straftäter gesichert werden; k) eingedenk der Vielfalt an Rechtssystemen und Rechtstraditionen sowie feststellend, dass Kriminalität in zunehmendem Maße grenzüberschreitend ist und dass sichergestellt werden muss, dass kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten in allen Ländern gleichwertigen Schutz erhalten. Grundsätze Wie in internationalen Rechtsinstrumenten und insbesondere in dem Übereinkommen über die Rechte des Kindes festgestellt wird und in der Arbeit des Ausschuss für die Rechte des Kindes zum Ausdruck kommt und mit dem Ziel, Gerechtigkeit für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen von Straftaten zu gewährleisten, müssen Fachkräfte und andere für das Wohl dieser Kinder verantwortliche Personen die nachstehenden übergreifenden Grundsätze achten: a) Würde. Jedes Kind ist eine einzigartige und wertvolle Person; seine individuelle Würde, seine besonderen Bedürfnisse, seine Interessen und seine Privatsphäre sollen daher geachtet und geschützt werden; b) Nichtdiskriminierung. Jedes Kind hat das Recht auf faire und gleiche Behandlung, ungeachtet der Rasse, der Ethnizität, der Hautfarbe, des Geschlechts, der Sprache, der Religion, der politischen oder sonstigen Anschauung, der nationalen, ethnischen oder sozialen Herkunft, des Vermögens, einer Behinderung, des Geburtsstands oder des sonstigen Status des Kindes selbst, seiner Eltern oder seines Vormunds; c) Wohl des Kindes. Während die Rechte der Beschuldigten sowie verurteilter Straftäter zu schützen sind, hat jedes Kind das Recht, dass sein Wohl vorrangig berücksichtigt wird. Dazu gehört auch das Recht auf Schutz und auf die Chance auf eine harmonische Entwicklung: i) Schutz. Jedes Kind hat das Recht auf Leben und Überleben sowie darauf, vor jeder Form von Leid, Misshandlung oder Vernachlässigung, einschließlich physischer, psychischer, geistiger und emotionaler Misshandlung und Vernachlässigung, behütet zu werden; ii) Harmonische Entwicklung. Jedes Kind hat das Recht, die Chance auf eine harmonische Entwicklung und einen Lebensstandard zu erhalten, der für sein körperliches, geistiges, seelisches, sittliches und soziales Wachsen angemessen ist. Wenn ein Kind traumatisiert wurde, soll alles getan werden, um ihm eine gesunde Entwicklung zu ermöglichen; d) Recht auf Beteiligung. Jedes Kind hat vorbehaltlich der innerstaatlichen Verfahrensvorschriften das Recht, seine Meinungen, Ansichten und Überzeugungen in seinen eigenen Worten frei auszudrücken und insbesondere zu den Entscheidungen beizutragen, die sein Leben berühren, einschließlich derjenigen, die in Gerichtsverfahren getroffen werden, sowie das Recht, dass seine Meinungen in einer seinen Fähigkeiten, seinem Alter, seiner geistigen Reife und seiner Entwicklung entsprechenden Weise berücksichtigt werden. Begriffsbestimmungen Die nachstehenden Begriffsbestimmungen gelten für die gesamten Leitlinien: a) "Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen" bezeichnet Kinder und Jugendliche unter 18 Jahren, die Opfer oder Zeugen von Straftaten sind, ungeachtet ihrer Rolle bei der Straftat oder bei der strafrechtlichen Verfolgung des mutmaßlichen Täters oder von Gruppen mutmaßlicher Täter; b) "Fachkräfte" bezeichnet Personen, die im Rahmen ihrer Tätigkeit mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen von Straftaten Kontakt haben oder für die Berücksichtigung der Bedürfnisse von Kindern im Justizsystem verantwortlich sind und auf die diese Leitlinien Anwendung finden. Dazu gehören unter anderem, jedoch nicht aussschließlich, Kinderanwälte, Opfervertreter und Unterstützungspersonen, Mitarbeiter von Kinderschutzstellen und Kinderhilfeeinrichtungen, Staatsanwälte und gegebenenfalls Verteidiger, diplomatische und konsularische Bedienstete, Mitarbeiter von Programmen gegen häusliche Gewalt, Richter, Gerichtspersonal, Strafverfolgungsbeamte, medizinisches und psychiatrisches Fachpersonal sowie Sozialarbeiter; c) "Justizverfahren" umfasst die Aufdeckung der Straftat, die Erstattung der Anzeige, die Ermittlungen, die Strafverfolgung sowie die Hauptverhandlung und die anschließenden Verfahren, ungeachtet dessen, ob ein nationales, internationales oder regionales Strafjustizsystem für Erwachsene oder Jugendliche oder ein gewohnheitsrechtliches oder informelles System mit dem Fall befasst ist; d) "kindgerecht" bezeichnet ein abgewogenes Vorgehen, bei dem das Recht des Kindes auf Schutz und die individuellen Bedürfnisse und Meinungen des Kindes berücksichtigt werden. V. Das Recht, mit Würde und Einfühlungsvermögen behandelt zu werden Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen sollen während des gesamten Justizverfahrens fürsorglich und einfühlsam behandelt werden; dabei sollen ihre persönliche Situation und ihre unmittelbaren Bedürfnisse sowie ihr Alter, ihr Geschlecht, eine Behinderung und ihre Reife berücksichtigt und ihre körperliche, geistige und moralische Unversehrtheit uneingeschränkt geachtet werden. Jedes Kind soll als Individuum mit eigenen Bedürfnissen, Wünschen und Gefühlen behandelt werden. Jeder Eingriff in die Privatsphäre des Kindes soll auf das notwendige Mindestmaß beschränkt werden, während gleichzeitig hohe Maßstäbe an die Beweisaufnahme angelegt werden, um ein gerechtes und ausgewogenes Ergebnis des Justizverfahrens zu gewährleisten. Um weitere Belastungen für das Kind zu vermeiden, sollen Befragungen, Vernehmungen und andere Formen der Ermittlung von ausgebildeten Fachkräften durchgeführt werden, die einfühlsam, respektvoll und gründlich vorgehen. Jeder Umgang mit Kindern gemäß diesen Leitlinien soll auf kindgerechte Weise in einem geeigneten Umfeld stattfinden, das den besonderen Bedürfnissen des Kindes entsprechend seinen Fähigkeiten, seinem Alter, seiner geistigen Reife und seiner Entwicklung gerecht wird. Er soll darüber hinaus in einer Sprache stattfinden, die das Kind gebraucht und versteht. Das Recht auf Schutz vor Diskriminierung Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen sollen Zugang zu einem Justizverfahren haben, das sie vor Diskriminierung auf Grund der Rasse, der Hautfarbe, des Geschlechts, der Sprache, der Religion, der politischen oder sonstigen Anschauung, der nationalen, ethnischen oder sozialen Herkunft, des Vermögens, einer Behinderung, des Geburtsstands oder des sonstigen Status des Kindes selbst, seiner Eltern oder seines Vormunds schützt. Das Justizverfahren und die Unterstützungsdienste, die kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen und ihren Familien zur Verfügung stehen, sollen dem Alter des Kindes, seinen Wünschen, seiner Verstandesreife, seinem Geschlecht, seiner sexuellen Orientierung, seinem ethnischen, kulturellen, religiösen, sprachlichen und sozialen Hintergrund, seiner Kaste, seiner sozioökonomischen Lage und seinem Status als Einwanderer oder Flüchtling sowie seinen besonderen Bedürfnissen angepasst sein, namentlich was seine Gesundheit und seine Fähigkeiten und Kompetenzen betrifft. Fachkräfte sollen eine entsprechende Aus- und Fortbildung erhalten, damit sie diesen Unterschieden Rechnung tragen. In bestimmten Fällen wird es notwendig sein, besondere Dienste und Schutzmaßnahmen einzurichten, um dem Geschlecht des Kindes und dem unterschiedlichen Charakter bestimmter Straftaten gegen Kinder, beispielsweise der sexuellen Nötigung von Kindern, Rechnung zu tragen. Das Alter eines Kindes soll seinem Recht auf volle Teilnahme am Justizverfahren nicht entgegenstehen. Jedes Kind soll vorbehaltlich einer Untersuchung als aussagefähiger Zeuge behandelt werden, und seine Aussage soll nicht allein auf Grund seines Alters als ungültig oder nicht verlässlich angesehen werden, wenn sein Alter und seine Reife ihm erlauben, eine verständliche und glaubhafte Aussage zu machen, sei es mit oder ohne Kommunikationshilfen oder andere Hilfe. Das Recht auf Information Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen, ihre Eltern oder Vormunde und gesetzlichen Vertreter sollen, soweit dies durchführbar und angebracht ist, vom ersten Kontakt mit dem Justizverfahren an und während des gesamten Verfahrens umgehend und angemessen unter anderem über Folgendes informiert werden: a) die Verfügbarkeit von gesundheitlichen, psychologischen, sozialen und anderen einschlägigen Diensten und die Zugangsmöglichkeiten zu diesen Diensten sowie nach Bedarf zu rechtlicher oder sonstiger Beratung oder Vertretung, Entschädigung und finanzieller Unterstützung in Notfällen; b) Verfahrensweisen in der Erwachsenen- und Jugendstrafjustiz, einschließlich der Rolle kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen, der Bedeutung, des Zeitpunkts und der Art und Weise der Zeugenaussage, sowie der Art der während der Ermittlungen und während des Hauptverfahrens stattfindenden "Vernehmungen"; c) bestehende Unterstützungsmechanismen für das Kind bei der Erstattung einer Strafanzeige sowie bei der Teilnahme an den Ermittlungen und am Gerichtsverfahren; d) den genauen Ort und die genaue Zeit der Vernehmungen und anderer wichtiger Termine; e) die Verfügbarkeit von Schutzmaßnahmen; f) bestehende Mechanismen zur Überprüfung von Entscheidungen, die kindliche Opfer und Zeugen betreffen; g) die einschlägigen Rechte kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen nach dem Übereinkommen über die Rechte des Kindes und der Erklärung über Grundprinzipien der rechtmäßigen Behandlung von Verbrechensopfern und Opfern von Machtmissbrauch. Darüber hinaus sollen kindliche Opfer, ihre Eltern oder Vormunde und ihre gesetzlichen Vertreter, soweit dies durchführbar und angebracht ist, umgehend und angemessen über Folgendes informiert werden: a) den Sachstand und die Entscheidungen in dem konkreten Fall, einschließlich der Ergreifung und Festnahme des Beschuldigten, der gegen ihn verhängten freiheitsentziehenden Maßnahmen und bevorstehender Änderungen dieser Maßnahmen, die Abschlussverfügung der Staatsanwaltschaft, relevante Entwicklungen in der Phase nach der Hauptverhandlung sowie den Ausgang des Falles; b) bestehende Möglichkeiten, vom Täter oder vom Staat im Wege des Justizverfahrens über alternative zivilrechtliche Verfahren oder auf anderem Wege Wiedergutmachung zu erlangen. Das Recht, angehört zu werden sowie Meinungen und Anliegen zu äußern Die Fachkräfte sollen alles tun, um zu ermöglichen, dass kindliche Opfer und Zeugen ihre Meinungen und Anliegen betreffend ihre Teilnahme an dem Justizverfahren äußern können, indem sie namentlich a) sicherstellen, dass kindliche Opfer und gegebenenfalls Zeugen zu den in Ziffer 19 genannten Punkten konsultiert werden; b) sicherstellen, dass kindliche Opfer und Zeugen ihre Meinungen und Anliegen betreffend ihre Teilnahme an dem Justizverfahren, ihre Anliegen betreffend Sicherheit in Bezug auf den Beschuldigten, die Art und Weise, in der sie ihre Aussage machen wollen, und ihre Gefühle über den Ausgang des Verfahrens frei und auf ihre eigene Weise äußern; c) die Meinungen und Anliegen des Kindes gebührend berücksichtigen und, falls sie diesen nicht nachkommen können, dem Kind die Gründe dafür erläutern. Das Recht auf wirksame Hilfe Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen sowie gegebenenfalls Familienmitglieder sollen auf die Hilfe von Fachkräften zurückgreifen können, die eine einschlägige Ausbildung erhalten haben, wie in den Ziffern 40 bis 42 beschrieben. Dies kann finanzielle und rechtliche Hilfsdienste, Beratung, Gesundheits-, Sozial- und Bildungsdienste, Unterstützung bei der körperlichen und psychischen Genesung sowie andere für die Wiedereingliederung des Kindes notwendige Dienste umfassen. Jede derartige Hilfe soll auf die Bedürfnisse des Kindes eingehen und ihm die wirksame Teilnahme an allen Phasen des Justizverfahrens ermöglichen. Fachkräfte, die kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen Hilfe leisten, sollen die Unterstützung nach besten Kräften koordinieren, damit dem Kind häufige Interventionen erspart bleiben. Kindliche Opfer und Zeugen sollen von der ersten Meldung an so lange Hilfe von Unterstützungspersonen, wie Spezialisten für kindliche Opfer/Zeugen, erhalten, bis diese Dienste nicht mehr benötigt werden. Die Fachkräfte sollen Maßnahmen erarbeiten und umsetzen, um Kindern die Aussage zu erleichtern, damit die Kommunikation und das Verständnis in der Vor- und Hauptverfahrensphase verbessert werden. Diese Maßnahmen können darin bestehen, a) dass Spezialisten für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen den besonderen Bedürfnissen des Kindes Rechnung tragen; b) dass Unterstützungspersonen, darunter auch Spezialisten und geeignete Familienmitglieder, bei der Vernehmung des Kindes anwesend sind; c) dass gegebenenfalls Vormunde bestellt werden, um die rechtlichen Interessen des Kindes zu schützen. Das Recht auf Privatsphäre Der Schutz der Privatsphäre kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen soll höchsten Vorrang genießen. Informationen betreffend die Teilnahme eines Kindes am Justizverfahren sollen geschützt werden. Dies kann erreicht werden, indem die Vertraulichkeit gewahrt bleibt und indem die Offenlegung von Informationen, die zur Identifikation eines Kindes führen können, das Opfer oder Zeuge in dem Justizverfahren ist, eingeschränkt wird. Es sollen Maßnahmen getroffen werden, um zu vermeiden, dass Kinder zu sehr der Öffentlichkeit ausgesetzt sind, beispielsweise indem die Öffentlichkeit und die Medien während der Aussage des Kindes aus dem Gerichtssaal ausgeschlossen werden, wenn das innerstaatliche Recht dies zulässt. Das Recht, während des Justizverfahrens vor Belastungen geschützt zu werden Die Fachkräfte sollen Maßnahmen treffen, um Belastungen kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen im Zuge der Aufdeckung, der Ermittlungen und der Strafverfolgung zu vermeiden, damit sichergestellt ist, dass ihr Wohl und ihre Würde geachtet werden. Die Fachkräfte sollen kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen einfühlsam begegnen, um a) kindliche Opfer und Zeugen zu unterstützen, namentlich auch indem sie das Kind während seiner gesamten Teilnahme an dem Justizverfahren begleiten, wenn dies im Interesse des Kindeswohls ist; b) Gewissheit über das Verfahren zu schaffen, indem sie kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen eine klare Vorstellung davon vermitteln, was sie während des Verfahrens zu erwarten haben. Die Teilnahme des Kindes an Vernehmungen und an der Hauptverhandlung soll im Voraus geplant werden, und es soll alles getan werden, um bei den Beziehungen zwischen den Kindern und den mit ihnen in Kontakt stehenden Fachkräften während des gesamten Verfahrens für Kontinuität zu sorgen; c) sicherzustellen, dass die Hauptverhandlung möglichst rasch stattfindet, es sei denn, eine Verzögerung liegt im Interesse des Kindeswohls. Die Ermittlungen in Straftaten unter Beteiligung kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen sollen ebenfalls beschleunigt werden, und es soll Verfahren, Gesetze und Verfahrensordnungen geben, die die beschleunigte Behandlung von Fällen unter Beteiligung kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen vorsehen; d) kindgerechte Verfahren anzuwenden, beispielsweise für Kinder konzipierte Vernehmungszimmer, disziplinübergreifende, an einem Ort zusammengefasste Dienste für kindliche Opfer, modifizierte Gerichtssäle, die kindliche Zeugen berücksichtigen, Einlegen von Pausen während der Aussage eines Kindes, Vernehmungen zu dem Alter und der Reife des Kindes angemessenen Tageszeiten, ein geeignetes Benachrichtigungssystem, um zu gewährleisten, dass das Kind nur dann vor Gericht auftreten muss, wenn es notwendig ist, sowie weitere geeignete Maßnahmen, um die Aussage des Kindes zu erleichtern. Die Fachkräfte sollen darüber hinaus Maßnahmen ergreifen, a) um die Zahl der Vernehmungen zu beschränken: Für die Beweiserhebung bei kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen sollen besondere Verfahren eingesetzt werden, um die Zahl der Befragungen, Aussagen und Vernehmungen sowie insbesondere unnötige Kontakte mit dem Justizverfahren zu vermeiden, beispielsweise durch die Verwendung von Videoaufzeichnungen; b) um sicherzustellen, dass kindliche Opfer und Zeugen, soweit dies mit dem Rechtssystem vereinbar ist sowie unter gebührender Achtung der Rechte der Verteidigung, vor einer Befragung durch den mutmaßlichen Täter geschützt werden; wenn notwendig, sollen kindliche Opfer und Zeugen vernommen und vor Gericht befragt werden, ohne dass der mutmaßliche Täter sie sehen kann, und im Gerichtsgebäude sollen gesonderte Warteräume und separate Vernehmungzimmer bereitgestellt werden; c) um sicherzustellen, dass kindliche Opfer und Zeugen auf kindgerechte Weise befragt werden und um die Aufsicht durch einen Richter zu ermöglichen, die Aussage zu erleichtern und die Möglichkeit der Einschüchterung zu verhindern, beispielsweise durch aussageerleichternde Vorkehrungen oder durch die Benennung psychologischer Sachverständiger. Das Recht auf Sicherheit Wenn die Sicherheit eines kindlichen Opfers oder Zeugen gefährdet sein könnte, sollen geeignete Maßnahmen ergriffen werden, damit die zuständigen Behörden von dieser Gefährdung verständigt werden und das Kind vor, während und nach dem Justizverfahren geschützt wird. Fachkräfte, die mit Kindern in Kontakt kommen, sollen verpflichtet sein, die zuständigen Behörden zu verständigen, wenn sie den Verdacht haben, dass einem kindlichen Opfer oder Zeugen Schaden zugefügt wurde, zugefügt wird oder zugefügt werden könnte. Die Fachkräfte sollen entsprechend ausgebildet werden, um Einschüchterungen, Bedrohungen und Schädigungen von kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen erkennen und verhindern zu können. Wenn kindliche Opfer und Zeugen eingeschüchtert, bedroht oder geschädigt werden könnten, sollen geeignete Bedingungen geschaffen werden, um die Sicherheit des Kindes zu gewährleisten. Diese Schutzmaßnahmen können unter anderem Folgendes umfassen: a) Vermeidung des unmittelbaren Zusammentreffens kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen mit den mutmaßlichen Tätern in allen Phasen des Justizverfahrens; b) Erlass gerichtlicher Schutzanordnungen und Einführung eines Registrierungssystems; c) Anordnung von Untersuchungshaft für den Beschuldigten und Festsetzung einer Kaution mit der Auflage eines Kontaktverbots; d) Hausarrest für den Beschuldigten; e) Gewährung von Polizeischutz oder Schutz durch andere zuständige Behörden für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen, wann immer dies möglich und angemessen ist, und Geheimhaltung ihres Aufenthaltsorts. Das Recht auf Wiedergutmachung Kindliche Opfer sollen nach Möglichkeit Wiedergutmachung erhalten, um den Ausgleich des erlittenen Schadens, Wiedereingliederung und Genesung zu ermöglichen. Die Verfahren zur Erlangung und Durchsetzung von Wiedergutmachung sollen einfach zugänglich und kindgerecht sein. Sofern die Verfahren kindgerecht sind und diesen Leitlinien folgen, sollen die Zusammenlegung von Straf- und Wiedergutmachungsverfahren sowie informelle und gemeinwesengestützte Justizverfahren, wie die ausgleichsorientierte Justiz, gefördert werden. Wiedergutmachung kann Folgendes umfassen: strafgerichtlich angeordnete Restitution durch den Täter, Hilfe aus vom Staat verwalteten Opferentschädigungsprogrammen und in zivilrechtlichen Verfahren angeordnete Schadenersatzzahlungen. Nach Möglichkeit sollen die Kosten für die Wiedereingliederung in die Gesellschaft und das Bildungssystem, für ärztliche Behandlung, psychiatrische Versorgung und Rechtsdienstleistungen erfasst werden. Verfahren sollen eingerichtet werden, um sicherzustellen, dass Wiedergutmachungsanordnungen vollstreckt werden und dass Wiedergutmachungszahlungen gegenüber der Zahlung von Geldstrafen Vorrang haben. Das Recht auf besondere Präventivmaßnahmen Zusätzlich zu Präventivmaßnahmen, die für alle Kinder gelten sollten, sind besondere Strategien für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen erforderlich, die durch eine erneute Viktimisierung oder Straftat besonders gefährdet sind. Die Fachkräfte sollen umfassende Strategien und Maßnahmen erarbeiten und durchführen, die spezifisch auf Fälle zugeschnitten sind, in denen das Risiko einer weiteren Viktimisierung kindlicher Opfer besteht. Diese Strategien und Maßnahmen sollen der Art der Viktimisierung Rechnung tragen, darunter Viktimisierung im Zusammenhang mit häuslichem Missbrauch, sexueller Ausbeutung, Missbrauch in Institutionen sowie Kinderhandel. Diese Strategien können unter anderem auf Regierungs-, Nachbarschafts- oder Bürgerinitiativen aufbauen. Umsetzung Fachkräfte, die mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen arbeiten, sollen eine entsprechende Aus- und Fortbildung sowie angemessene Informationen erhalten, um ihre spezifischen Methoden, Herangehensweisen und Einstellungen nachhaltig zu verbessern, damit sie kindliche Opfer und Zeugen wirksam schützen und einfühlsam mit ihnen umgehen. Die Fachkräfte, namentlich in Sonderabteilungen und Fachdienststellen, sollen darin ausgebildet werden, kindliche Opfer und Zeugen wirksam zu schützen und auf ihre Bedürfnisse einzugehen. Diese Ausbildung soll Folgendes umfassen: a) die einschlägigen Normen, Standards und Grundsätze auf dem Gebiet der Menschenrechte, einschließlich der Rechte des Kindes; b) die für ihre Aufgaben geltenden Grundsätze und ethischen Pflichten; c) Anzeichen und Symptome, die auf Straftaten gegen Kinder hindeuten; d) Kompetenzen und Techniken auf dem Gebiet der Krisendiagnose, insbesondere zur Überweisung von Fällen, wobei der nötigen Wahrung der Vertraulichkeit besonderes Gewicht zukommt; e) Auswirkungen und Folgen von Straftaten gegen Kinder, einschließlich physischer und psychischer Schädigungen, und dadurch verursachte Traumatisierung; f) besondere Maßnahmen und Techniken zur Unterstützung kindlicher Opfer und Zeugen im Justizverfahren; g) interkulturelle sowie altersbezogene sprachliche, religiöse, soziale und geschlechtsspezifische Fragen; h) Kompetenzen in der Kommunikation zwischen Erwachsenen und Kindern; i) Befragungs- und Bewertungstechniken, bei denen das Kind möglichst wenig traumatisiert wird und gleichzeitig Informationen von möglichst hoher Qualität erhalten werden; j) Kompetenzen für den einfühlsamen, verständnisvollen, konstruktiven und beruhigenden Umgang mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen; k) Methoden der Beweissicherung und Beweisführung und der Befragung kindlicher Zeugen; l) die Rolle der Fachkräfte, die mit kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen arbeiten, und die von ihnen eingesetzten Methoden. Die Fachkräfte sollen sich nach Kräften um einen disziplinübergreifenden und kooperativen Ansatz zur Hilfe für Kinder bemühen, indem sie sich mit dem gesamten Spektrum der verfügbaren Dienste vertraut machen, darunter Opferhilfe, Interessenvertretung, wirtschaftliche Unterstützung, Beratung, Aufklärung, Gesundheits-, Rechts- und Sozialdienste. Dieser Ansatz kann Protokolle für die verschiedenen Phasen des Justizverfahrens umfassen, um die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Stellen zu fördern, die Dienste für kindliche Opfer und Zeugen erbringen, sowie andere Formen multidisziplinärer Tätigkeit unter Beteiligung von Mitarbeitern der Polizei, der Staatsanwaltschaft, der Gesundheits- und Sozialdienste und von Psychologen, die am selben Ort arbeiten. Die internationale Zusammenarbeit zwischen Staaten und allen Teilen der Gesellschaft auf nationaler wie auf internationaler Ebene soll verstärkt werden, einschließlich der gegenseitigen Hilfe zum Zweck der Erleichterung der Sammlung und des Austauschs von Informationen sowie zur Aufdeckung, Untersuchung und strafrechtlichen Verfolgung grenzüberschreitender Kriminalität unter Beteiligung von kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen. Die Fachkräfte sollen die Verwendung dieser Leitlinien als Grundlage für die Ausarbeitung von Rechtsvorschriften und schriftlichen Politiken, Standards und Protokollen erwägen, mit denen kindlichen Opfern und Zeugen in Justizverfahren Hilfe geleistet werden soll. Die Fachkräfte sollen die Möglichkeit haben, ihre Rolle und die anderer Stellen im Justizverfahren beim Schutz der Rechte des Kindes und bei der wirksamen Umsetzung dieser Leitlinien in regelmäßigen Abständen zu überprüfen und zu evaluieren. 36. Plenarsitzung 22. Juli 2005 E/CN.15/2005/14/Add.1. A/CONF.203/18, Kap. I, Resolution 1. Diese neue Formulierung bietet keine Grundlage für eine Erhöhung des ordentlichen Haushalts oder Anträge auf zusätzliche Mittelerhöhung. Resolution 44/25 der Generalversammlung, Anlage. Resolution 40/34 der Generalversammlung, Anlage. Resolution 2002/13, Anlage. E/2005/INF/2/Add.1 E/2005/INF/2/Add.1 Vereinte Nationen E/2005/INF/2/Add.1 Deutscher Übersetzungsdienst, Vereinte Nationen, New York.
Note: The provisional texts of the decisions adopted by the Council at its substantive session for 2005 are circulated herein for information. The final texts will be issued in Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 1 (E/2005/99). Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2005 (29 June to 27 July 2005) Contents Resolutions Decisions Resolutions 2005/4 Strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations The Economic and Social Council, Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 46/182 of 19 December 1991 and the guiding principles contained in the annex thereto, and recalling other relevant resolutions of the Assembly and Economic and Social Council and agreed conclusions of the Council, Welcoming the fact that at the humanitarian affairs segment of its substantive session of 2005, the Council considered the theme “Strengthening of the coordination of the United Nations humanitarian assistance, including capacity as well as organizational aspects”, Also welcoming the fact that the Council held a panel discussion on Lessons learned from the recent Indian Ocean earthquake/tsunami disaster, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations; Also takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on strengthening emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery and prevention in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster as well as of the report of the Secretary-General on the transition from relief to development; Requests the relevant organizations of the United Nations system to strengthen, within their respective mandates, essential common humanitarian services that are coordinated through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee so that these services can be provided in a predictable, efficient and effective manner; Also requests the relevant organizations of the United Nations system to engage systematically with relevant authorities and organizations at the regional and national levels to support efforts to strengthen humanitarian response capacities at all levels, in particular through preparedness programmes, with a view to improving the overall adequacy of the deployment of resources; Stresses that the United Nations system should make efforts to enhance existing humanitarian capacities, knowledge and institutions, including, as appropriate, through the transfer of technology and expertise to developing countries and countries with economies in transition; Requests the Secretary-General to encourage the relevant organizations of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates, to develop further appropriate mechanisms for the identification and/or development of specialist technical expertise and capacity to fill gaps in critical humanitarian programming sectors in order to improve the capacity of the United Nations system to respond to humanitarian needs; Also requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with relevant United Nations humanitarian organizations and States, to discuss ways to help assess the effectiveness of the United Nations humanitarian response; Stresses that the United Nations system should improve its ability to make the best use of existing humanitarian capacities at all levels; Requests the Secretary-General to encourage the relevant organizations of the United Nations system to identify and use, as appropriate and available, local resources and expertise from within the affected country and/or its neighbours in response to humanitarian needs; Also requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with States and relevant organizations, to further develop and improve, as required, mechanisms for the use of emergency standby capacities, including, where appropriate, regional humanitarian capacities, under the auspices of the United Nations, inter alia, through formal agreements with appropriate regional organizations, and to report on this issue to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session through the Economic and Social Council; Further requests the Secretary-General to develop more systematic links with Member States offering military assets for natural disaster response in order to identify the availability of such assets; Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen the humanitarian response capacity of and the support to United Nations resident/humanitarian coordinators and to United Nations country teams, including through the provision of necessary training, the identification of resources and improving the identification and selection of United Nations resident/humanitarian coordinators, to help provide a timely, predictable and appropriate response to humanitarian needs and to further improve United Nations coordination activities at the field level; Calls upon the relevant United Nations entities, under the coordination mandate of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to improve the development of common needs assessments and work towards more effective prioritization, including reviewing the Consolidated Appeals Process Needs Assessment Framework and Matrix; Stresses the importance of rapid access to funds for an effective United Nations humanitarian response in the initial phases of a humanitarian emergency, before an appeal is launched, or in cases of unanticipated humanitarian needs, as well as for addressing core needs in underfunded emergencies; Emphasizes the need to establish reliable, predictable and timely funding to meet humanitarian needs, including those in underfunded emergencies; Requests the Secretary-General to continue efforts, including through consultations with States, to address the need to establish finance mechanisms to enable timely allocation of humanitarian resources in response to the Consolidated Appeals Process so as to address gaps in the United Nations humanitarian response; Recommends to the General Assembly that it improve functioning of the Central Emergency Revolving Fund, inter alia, through the possible inclusion of a grant facility component based on voluntary contributions, and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on this issue for consideration by the Assembly at its sixtieth session; Requests the Secretary-General to continue to strive to broaden the donor base for humanitarian response, including by engaging the private sector, as well as to strengthen efforts to further enhance transparency and accountability with respect to the channelling and utilization of resources; Recommends to the General Assembly that it request the Secretary-General to ensure that United Nations humanitarian organizations work, as appropriate, with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the Secretariat in order to better ensure that humanitarian issues are accounted for from the earliest stages of planning and design of United Nations multidimensional integrated peacekeeping operations with humanitarian components and that the mandates of such operations continue to respect the need for their humanitarian activities to be carried out in accordance with humanitarian principles; Requests the Secretary-General to reflect the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the present resolution in his next report to the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly on the strengthening of the coordination of emergency humanitarian assistance of the United Nations. 28th plenary meeting 15 July 2005 2005/5 Support to the Bureau in preparing for future sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development The Economic and Social Council, Taking note of the decisions of the Commission on Sustainable Development adopted at its sixth, seventh and eighth sessions on matters related to the intersessional work of the Commission, Recalling its resolution 2003/61 of 25 July 2003 concerning the mandate and new organization and programme of work for the Commission, Decides that, in order for members of the Bureau to carry out their functions effectively, consideration should be given to providing financial support consisting of travel and daily subsistence to members of the Bureau from developing countries and countries with economies in transition through designated extrabudgetary contributions to the Trust Fund to Support the Work of the Commission on Sustainable Development; Also decides that financial support to members of the Bureau from developing countries and countries with economies in transition should cover participation in one of the meetings of the Bureau to be held outside New York and the respective regional implementation meeting and other relevant meetings in the region; Invites donor Governments, institutions and other organizations to contribute to the Trust Fund. 32nd plenary meeting 20 July 2005 2005/6 Support for the travel of representatives of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to future sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/227 of 22 December 2004, in which the Assembly encouraged, inter alia, broad-based participation of government representatives and experts in the meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development, Emphasizing that such broad participation of representatives and experts from developing countries is key to a balanced review of thematic clusters of issues of the implementation cycles, Invites donor Governments, institutions and other organizations to provide contributions to the Trust Fund to Support the Work of the Commission on Sustainable Development; Recommends that the General Assembly decide that support to participants from developing countries, with priority given to the least developed countries, as well as from countries with economies in transition, may be provided from the Trust Fund for travel from funds designated for that purpose. 32nd plenary meeting 20 July 2005 2005/7 Progress in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 59/250 on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 44/211 of 22 December 1989, 47/199 of 22 December 1992, 50/120 of 20 December 1995, 52/203 of 18 December 1997, 52/12 B of 19 December 1997, 53/192 of 15 December 1998, 56/201 of 21 December 2001 and 59/250 of 22 December 2004, Economic and Social Council resolutions 2002/29 of 25 July 2002, 2003/3 of 11 July 2003 and 2004/5 of 12 July 2004 and other relevant resolutions, Recalling also the importance of the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities, through which the General Assembly establishes key system-wide policy orientations for the development cooperation and country-level modalities of the United Nations system, Reaffirming its role in providing coordination and guidance to the United Nations development system to ensure that those policy orientations are implemented on a system-wide basis, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 48/162 of 20 December 1993, 50/227 of 24 May 1996 and 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, Reaffirming also that the fundamental characteristics of operational activities for development of the United Nations system should be, inter alia, their universal, voluntary and grant-based nature, their neutrality and their multilateralism and their ability to respond to the development needs of recipient countries in a flexible manner, and that operational activities are carried out for the benefit of recipient countries, at the request of those countries and in accordance with their own policies and priorities for development, Stressing that the purpose of reform is to make the United Nations development system more efficient and effective in supporting developing countries to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, on the basis of their national development strategies, and stresses also that reform efforts should enhance organizational efficiency and achieve concrete development results, Emphasizing that operational activities for development of the United Nations system should be valued and assessed on the basis of their impact on recipient countries as contributions to enhance their capacity to pursue poverty eradication, sustained economic growth and sustainable development, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the management process for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 59/250 on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, and welcomes the efforts to establish the management process for the implementation of the resolution, as contained in that report; Notes the response of the United Nations system in undertaking initiatives to implement General Assembly resolution 59/250, as specified in the actions, targets, benchmarks and time frames identified at the agency and inter-agency levels that are contained in that report; Requests the Secretary-General, in response to paragraph 102 of resolution 59/250, to update the matrix contained in that report, including analytical reporting on results and outcomes achieved through the implementation of all actions outlined in the report; Encourages the use, within the matrix, of quantifiable targets and measurable benchmarks, with well-defined time frames at the system level, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 59/250, taking into account section III of the resolution on capacity-building in its entirety, as well as increasing system-wide capacity in support of recipient countries and enabling and facilitating the access of recipient countries to the full range of services and accumulated experience available throughout the entire United Nations system, including the regional commissions, as appropriate and consistent with their mandates; Takes note of the work programme related to the coordination of operational activities for development for 2005; Takes note also of the report of the Secretary-General on funding options and modalities for financing operational activities for development of the United Nations system; Looks forward to further consideration of that report, in accordance with paragraph 24 of resolution 59/250; Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on comprehensive statistical data on operational activities for development for 2003; Requests the Secretary-General to further refine the data contained in that report to better reflect funding for operational activities for development, including a better distinction between contributions made for humanitarian assistance and for long-term development cooperation, and expenditures and actual contributions as received and channelled through the United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies and the United Nations Secretariat; Also requests the Secretary-General to make use of the annual statistical compendium on operational activities for development submitted to the Council at the operational activities segment of its substantive session in its new format, as adopted in accordance with paragraph 22 of General Assembly resolution 59/250; Reaffirms the necessity for the full implementation by the United Nations funds and programmes of the relevant provisions of General Assembly resolution 59/250 by the United Nations funds and programmes. 33rd plenary meeting 20 July 2005 2005/8 Situation of women and girls in Afghanistan The Economic and Social Council, Reaffirming that all States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and the duty to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the various instruments in this field, Recalling that Afghanistan is a party to several international human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Recalling also the importance of the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000, on women and peace and security, 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999 and 1296 (2000) of 19 April 2000, on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and 1539 (2004) of 22 April 2004, on children and armed conflict, Recalling further that the new Constitution states that the citizens of Afghanistan, whether men or women, are equal before the law and that it guarantees the rights of women to serve in the National Assembly, Recognizing that, in spite of recent improvements, women in Afghanistan continue to face serious violations of their human rights in many parts of the country, in particular in rural areas, Strongly emphasizing that a safe environment, free from violence, discrimination and abuse, for all Afghans, is essential for a viable and sustainable recovery and reconstruction process, Stressing the need to integrate a gender perspective when formulating and implementing programmes and policies, Welcomes: (a) The continuing commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by women and girls, the restoration of the active participation of Afghan women in political, economic and social life, the education of girls as well as boys and the opportunity for women to work outside the home; (b) The provisions of the new Constitution, which state that the citizens of Afghanistan, whether men or women, are equal before the law and that at least two women are to be elected to the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Parliament) from each province, as a national average, and which provide that half of the President's nominees to the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) be women; (c) The ongoing security sector reform processes being undertaken by the Government of Afghanistan with the support of the international community, including the demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of former combatants and the recruitment of a new cadre of women police; (d) The peaceful and successful presidential election that took place on 9 October 2004 and the level of participation by women voters, who cast 40 per cent of the total number of votes; (e) The candidacy of Afghan women in both the Presidential and Vice-presidential ballots, the appointment of three women to cabinet positions and the appointment of the first woman provincial governor on 2 March 2005; (f) The recent publication of a report on transitional justice, entitled “A Call for Justice”, by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission; (g) The efforts by the Afghan Government to develop a national action plan on gender equality; Also welcomes the report of the Secretary-General to the Commission on the Status of Women on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan; Urges the Government of Afghanistan: (a) To fully implement the Constitution and all international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;9 (b) To ensure that legislative, administrative and other measures support the full enjoyment by women and girls of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including by mainstreaming gender issues into policies and programmes at all levels, and to organize sustained awareness-raising campaigns on the equality of women and men; (c) To enable the full, equal and effective participation of women and girls in civil, cultural, economic, political and social life throughout the country at all levels; (d) To ensure that women, including through ensuring women's security, are able to register, run for office, campaign and vote in the upcoming National Assembly elections scheduled for 2005; (e) To strengthen women's economic empowerment and their access to income-generating activities, credit, means of production, technology and resources, inter alia, by guaranteeing the property and inheritance rights of women and girls; (f) To continue to strengthen the effective, full and equal access of women and girls to health care and education; (g) To ensure that the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the permanent Afghan judicial institutions have adequate human and financial resources to fulfil their mandates and address gender perspectives, in line with international standards; (h) To continue its efforts to re-establish the rule of law, in accordance with international standards, inter alia, by ensuring the impartiality of the justice system and that law enforcement agencies respect and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, with particular emphasis on access to justice and redress mechanisms for women; (i) To continue its efforts to reflect a gender perspective in the training and activities of the police, army, prosecutors and the judiciary and to promote the recruitment of Afghan women in all ranks; (j) To raise awareness of and strengthen measures to prevent and eliminate violence, including domestic and sexual violence, against women and girls, with the aim of changing the attitudes that allow such crimes to take place and to develop support services for victims of such violence; (k) To release women prisoners held in the State detention centres for actions that do not constitute crimes under Afghan law and to provide them with adequate support for reintegration into their communities; (l) To raise awareness of the need to prevent and eliminate enforced marriages, in accordance with article 16 (b) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; (m) To support measures to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by women and girls, to hold accountable those who were responsible for gross violations of human rights in the past and to ensure that full investigations are conducted and perpetrators brought to justice, in accordance with international standards, in order to combat impunity; Invites the United Nations system, international and non-governmental organizations and donors: (a) To ensure a human rights-based approach and coherent policy and resources for gender mainstreaming in all programmes and operations, based on the principles of non-discrimination and equality between women and men, and to ensure that women benefit equally with men from such programmes in all sectors; (b) To reflect the needs of women and girls and the importance of their role in the process of peacebuilding, reconstruction and development; (c) To support the elements of civil society active in the field of human rights and encourage the involvement of women therein; (d) To ensure that all their international and national personnel, prior to beginning their service, receive training in gender equality, as well as appropriate training in the history, culture and traditions of Afghanistan, and are fully familiar with and guided by international standards of human rights; (e) To integrate efforts to improve the health status of women within all reconstruction efforts, especially through access to skilled prenatal care, increasing access to skilled birth attendance, education programmes on basic health issues, community information activities and emergency obstetric care; (f) To continue to support measures for the employment of women and the integration of a gender perspective into all social, development and reconstruction programmes, taking into account the special needs of widows and orphans and returning refugee and displaced women and girls, as well as those living in rural areas; (g) To continue to provide financial and technical support to the Ministry of Women's Affairs and all line ministries in order to integrate gender perspectives into their programmes and budgets; (h) To provide sufficient financial and technical support to the 2005 National Assembly elections process in order to facilitate the full participation of women as voters and candidates; (i) To support the development of a long-term strategy to strengthen the judicial system, in line with international standards; (j) To support measures to hold accountable those responsible for gross violations of women's human rights in the past and to ensure that full investigations are conducted and perpetrators brought to justice; Invites the Commission on Human Rights to consider the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session and to fully include the situation of women and girls in any consideration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan; Requests the Secretary-General to continue to review the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and to submit to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fiftieth session a report on progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. 34th plenary meeting 21 July 2005 2005/9 Further promotion of equalization of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities and protection of their human rights The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 37/52 of 3 December 1982, by which the Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, 48/96 of 20 December 1993, by which it adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, 56/168 of 19 December 2001, by which it established the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, 58/132 of 22 December 2003 and 59/198 of 20 December 2004, as well as Assembly decision 59/521 of 20 December 2004 on the issue of the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Recalling its resolutions 2002/26 of 24 July 2002 and 2004/15 of 21 July 2004 on further promotion of equalization of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities and protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities, Encouraged by the elaboration of a convention carried out in the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, Mindful of the need to adopt and implement effective strategies and policies to promote the rights and the full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in economic, social, cultural and political life on the basis of equality in order to achieve a society for all, Noting with satisfaction that the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities play an increasingly important role in the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, Noting with grave concern that persons with disabilities are, in some circumstances, among the poorest of the poor and that they continue to be excluded from the benefits of development, such as education and access to gainful employment, Encouraging States to further participate actively in international cooperation for the equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, Welcomes the work of the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development, and takes note of her report; Urges Governments, the Secretary-General, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, and invites relevant human rights treaty bodies, relevant bodies and organizations of the United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, multilateral development agencies and regional commissions, to create greater awareness and support for the further implementation of the Standard Rules, to work closely with the United Nations programme on persons with disabilities, to promote the enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities and to improve consultation, exchange of information and coordination; Encourages Governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to continue to contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Fund on Disability in order to support the activities of the Special Rapporteur as well as new and expanded initiatives to strengthen national capacities for equalization of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities; Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur through 31 December 2008 to further the promotion and monitoring of the Standard Rules in accordance with the provisions set down in section 4 of the Standard Rules, including the human rights dimensions of disability; Requests the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development to take into account the general ideas contained in the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules in the accomplishment of her mandate; Encourages the Special Rapporteur to continue to participate in and contribute to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities; Requests the Special Rapporteur to submit an annual report on the monitoring of the implementation of the Standard Rules to the Commission for Social Development. 35th plenary meeting 21 July 2005 2005/10 Comprehensive and integral international convention to protect and promote the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 56/168 of 19 December 2001, by which the Assembly established an Ad Hoc Committee, open to the participation of all Member States and observers of the United Nations, to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, based on the holistic approach in the work carried out in the fields of social development, human rights and non-discrimination and taking into account the recommendations of the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission for Social Development, Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 2004/14 of 21 July 2004 on a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, Welcoming the important contributions made so far to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee by all stakeholders, Reaffirming the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and the need for their full enjoyment to be guaranteed to persons with disabilities, without discrimination, Convinced of the contribution that a convention will make in this regard, and welcoming the firm support of the international community for such a convention and the continued engagement in its elaboration, Recognizing the strong commitment and the positive steps taken by Governments to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, including through collaboration and cooperation at the regional and international levels, with the aim of strengthening national capacities and supporting national efforts in order to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities in all regions, Welcomes the important progress achieved so far in the negotiation of a draft convention, and invites Member States and observers to continue to participate actively and constructively in the Ad Hoc Committee, with a view to an early conclusion of a draft text of a convention in order to present it to the General Assembly, as a matter of priority, for adoption; Requests the Commission for Social Development to continue to contribute to the process of negotiation of a draft international convention, bearing in mind its area of expertise and the experience in the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons; Welcomes the contributions of the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission to the process of elaboration of a draft convention, and requests the Special Rapporteur to contribute further to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, drawing from her experience in the monitoring of the Standard Rules by, inter alia, providing her views on the elements to be considered in a draft international convention; Requests the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, through its Division for Social Policy and Development, to continue to support the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur and other relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, through, inter alia, the provision of information on issues related to a draft international convention and the promotion of awareness of the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, from within existing resources; Underlines the importance of strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs in order to provide technical support to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 59/198 of 20 December 2004; Invites bodies, organs and entities of the United Nations system to continue to participate, as appropriate, in the Ad Hoc Committee and to contribute to its work; Invites non-governmental organizations, national disability and human rights institutions and independent experts with an interest in the matter to continue their active participation and contributions to the Ad Hoc Committee, and encourages the relevant bodies of the United Nations to continue to promote and support such active participation of civil society, in accordance with General Assembly decision 56/510 of 23 July 2002 and Assembly resolution 57/229 of 18 December 2002; Invites Governments, civil society and the private sector to contribute to the voluntary fund established by the General Assembly to support the participation of non-governmental organizations and experts from developing countries, in particular from least developed countries, in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee; Requests the Secretary-General to disseminate widely to non-governmental organizations all available information on accreditation procedures, modalities and supportive measures for their participation in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee, as well as the criteria for the financial assistance that is available through the voluntary fund; Stresses the need for additional efforts to ensure reasonable accessibility to facilities and documentation at the United Nations for all persons with disabilities, in accordance with General Assembly decision 56/474 of 23 July 2002; Requests the Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur to report to the Commission for Social Development at its forty-fourth session, on the implementation of the present resolution. 35th plenary meeting 21 July 2005 2005/11 Future organization and methods of work of the Commission for Social Development The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, in which the Assembly requested each functional commission of the Economic and Social Council to examine its methods of work in order to better pursue the implementation of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, and to report to the Council no later than 2005 on the outcome of that examination, Recalling also the primary responsibility of the Commission for Social Development for the follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development and the review of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly, Recognizes that the organization of work of the Commission for Social Development should contribute to advancing the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action15 and the outcome of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly,16 bearing in mind links with the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration; Decides that in order to fulfil its mandate, beginning with its forty-fifth session, the work of the Commission will be organized in a series of two-year action-oriented implementation cycles, which will include a review segment and a policy segment and that the Commission should strengthen the connection between its review of implementation and its policy recommendations; Also decides that in its sessions, the Commission will also continue to review plans and programmes of action pertaining to social groups, including in relation to the priority theme; Decides further that in its review of the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action and the outcome of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly, the Commission should emphasize increased exchange of national, regional and international experiences, focused and interactive dialogues among experts and practitioners, and sharing of best practices and lessons learned; Decides that the Commission should invite all relevant stakeholders to continue to participate in its work at an appropriately high level; Invites the regional commissions, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the Secretariat, to consider organizing regional meetings and activities, as necessary and appropriate, in order to contribute to the work of the Commission, in collaboration, as appropriate, with other regional and subregional intergovernmental organizations and bodies and the regional offices of funds and programmes of the United Nations system; Decides that the Commission at its forty-fourth session should consider further its methods of work, bearing in mind its own experiences and those of other functional commissions, and that its consideration should include the nature of its outcomes, negotiated and otherwise, the inclusion of emerging issues within its programme of work and the choice of themes for the 2007/2008 cycle; Also decides that the Commission, at its forty-sixth session, should review the functioning of the two-year review and policy cycle, in order to ensure that this approach enhances the effectiveness and functioning of the Commission. 35th plenary meeting 21 July 2005 2005/12 The need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility by all States The Economic and Social Council, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation in the field of informatics and the initiatives of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics, Recognizing the interest of Member States in taking full advantage of information and communication technologies for the acceleration of economic and social development, Recalling its previous resolutions on the need to harmonize and improve United Nations information systems for optimal utilization and access by all States, with due regard to all official languages, Welcoming the intensification of efforts by the Information Technology Services Division of the Department of Management of the Secretariat to provide interconnectivity and unhindered Internet access to all Permanent and Observer Missions at the United Nations, Reiterates once again the high priority that it attaches to easy, economical, uncomplicated and unhindered access for States Members and Observers of the United Nations, as well as non-governmental organizations accredited to the United Nations, to the computerized databases and information systems and services of the United Nations, provided that the unhindered access of non-governmental organizations to such databases, systems and services will not prejudice the access of Member States nor impose an additional financial burden for their use; Requests the President of the Economic and Social Council to convene the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Informatics for one more year to enable it to carry out, from within existing resources, the due fulfilment of the provisions of the Council resolutions on this item, to facilitate the successful implementation of the initiatives being taken by the Secretary-General with regard to the use of information technology and to continue the implementation of measures required to achieve its objectives and, in this regard, requests the Working Group to continue its efforts to act as a bridge between the evolving needs of Member States and the actions of the Secretariat; Expresses its appreciation to the Information Technology Services Division for the continuing cooperation it is extending to the Working Group in the endeavour to further improve the information technology services available to all Permanent and Observer Missions at the United Nations and, in particular, for its work in the implementation of the following services: wireless Internet (WiFi) in United Nations conference rooms; revitalization of the website for United Nations delegations; implementation of the new global search in the Official Documents System of the United Nations; and unrestricted access to the Official Documents System; Requests the Secretary-General to extend full cooperation to the Working Group and to give priority to implementing its recommendations; Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2006 on action taken to follow up the present resolution, including the findings of the Working Group and an assessment of its work and mandate. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 1995/7 of 19 July 1995, in which it requested the Secretary-General to proceed with the development of the 2000 World Population and Housing Census Programme and urged States Members of the United Nations to carry out population and housing censuses during the period 1995-2004, as well as its earlier resolutions endorsing previous decennial programmes, Having reviewed the efforts made by Member States to carry out population and housing censuses as part of the 2000 World Population and Housing Census Programme and also the activities of the United Nations and funding agencies in support of national efforts in that regard, Recognizing the increasing importance of the 2010 round of population and housing censuses for meeting data needs for the follow-up activities to the Millennium Summit, held in New York from 6 to 8 September 2000, the International Conference on Population and Development, held in Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994, the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen from 6 to 12 March 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995, and the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), held in Istanbul from 3 to 14 June 1996, and to other regional and national meetings, Considering the importance of the population and housing census to the preparation of a meaningful core set of national data and information necessary for socio-economic planning and governance, Stressing that, for a country as a whole and for each administrative area therein, periodic population and housing censuses are one of the primary sources of data needed for effective development planning and for the monitoring of population issues and socio-economic and environmental trends, policies and programmes, Supports the 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme, consisting of a number of activities aimed at ensuring that Member States conduct a population and housing census at least once during the period from 2005 to 2014; Urges Member States to carry out a population and housing census and to disseminate census results as an essential source of information for small-area, national, regional and international planning and development and to provide census results to national stakeholders as well as the United Nations and other appropriate intergovernmental organizations to assist in studies on population, environment and socio-economic development issues and programmes; Emphasizes the importance of the 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme for socio-economic planning, and requests increased support for this Programme; Requests the Secretary-General to implement the 2010 World Population and Housing Census Programme. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 Model bilateral agreement on the sharing of confiscated proceeds of crime or property covered by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 2004/24 of 21 July 2004, Recalling also the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, Recalling further the meeting of the intergovernmental expert group to prepare a draft model bilateral agreement on disposal of confiscated proceeds of crime covered by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, held in Vienna from 26 to 28 January 2005 with extrabudgetary resources provided for that purpose by the Government of the United States of America, Convinced that a model bilateral agreement on sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property could be a useful tool to facilitate greater international cooperation in that area, being one of the principal objectives of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, Noting the importance of the reference in article 3 of the Model Bilateral Agreement on the Sharing of Confiscated Proceeds of Crime or Property to article 14, paragraph 2, of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in which it is stated that States parties shall, to the extent permitted by domestic law, give priority consideration to returning the confiscated proceeds of crime or property to the requesting State party so that it can give compensation to the victims of the crime or return such proceeds of crime or property to their legitimate owners, Expresses its appreciation to the intergovernmental expert group to prepare a draft model bilateral agreement on disposal of confiscated proceeds of crime covered by the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime24 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 198825 for having prepared the draft model bilateral agreement on the sharing of confiscated proceeds of crime or property; Adopts the Model Bilateral Agreement on the Sharing of Confiscated Proceeds of Crime or Property, annexed to the present resolution, as a useful model that could be of assistance to States interested in negotiating and concluding bilateral agreements to facilitate the sharing of proceeds of crime; Stresses that the Model Bilateral Agreement will not prejudice the principles set forth in the United Nations Convention against Corruption or the development, at a later stage, of any appropriate mechanism to facilitate the implementation of that Convention; Invites Member States, in concluding agreements with other States in the area of sharing proceeds of crime pursuant to article 14 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and article 5 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 or in revising, where necessary or useful, existing bilateral agreements in that area, to take into account the Model Bilateral Agreement; Requests the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of Member States the present resolution, together with the Model Bilateral Agreement; Encourages Member States to inform the Secretary-General voluntarily of efforts undertaken in the area of sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property, in particular the establishment of agreements in that area; Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to convey to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice information regarding efforts undertaken by Member States in the area of sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property; Also requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to provide to Member States, at their request, technical assistance and advice, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to give effect to the arrangements to be made pursuant to agreements to be negotiated on the basis of the Model Bilateral Agreement. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 Annex Model Bilateral Agreement on the Sharing of Confiscated Proceeds of Crime or Property Agreement between the Government of _______________ and the Government of _______________ regarding the sharing of confiscated proceeds of crime or property The Government of _______________ and the Government of _______________ (hereinafter referred to as “the Parties”), Recalling the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in particular its article 12, paragraph 1, and articles 13 and 14, Recalling also the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, in particular article 5, paragraphs 1, 4 and 5, Recognizing that this Agreement should not prejudice the principles set forth in the United Nations Convention against Corruption or the development, at a later stage, of any appropriate mechanism to facilitate the implementation of that Convention, Reaffirming that nothing in the provisions of this Agreement should prejudice in any way the provisions and the principles on international cooperation set forth in the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and that this Agreement is intended to enhance the effectiveness of international cooperation envisioned in those Conventions, Considering [reference to a treaty on mutual legal assistance if one exists between the Parties], Desiring to create an appropriate framework for sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property, Have agreed as follows: Article 1 Definitions For the purposes of this Agreement: (a) The terms “proceeds of crime”, “confiscation” and “property” shall be understood as defined in article 2 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and article 1 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988; (b) “Cooperation” shall mean any assistance described in articles 13, 16, 18-20, 26 and 27 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime or article 5, paragraph 4, and articles 6, 7, 9-11 and 17 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, as well as cooperation between entities foreseen in article 7 of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, which has been given by one Party and which has contributed to, or facilitated, confiscation of proceeds of crime or property. Article 2 Scope of application This Agreement is intended solely for the purposes of mutual assistance between the Parties. Article 3 Circumstances in which confiscated proceeds of crime or property [may] [shall] be shared Where a Party is in possession of confiscated proceeds of crime or property and has cooperated with, or received cooperation from, the other Party, it [may] [shall] share such proceeds of crime or property with the other Party, in accordance with this Agreement, without prejudice to the principles enumerated in article 14, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 (a), of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and article 5, paragraph 5 (b) (i), of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. Article 4 Requests for sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property A request for sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property shall be made within a time limit to be agreed between the Parties, shall set out the circumstances of the cooperation to which it relates and shall include sufficient details to identify the case, the confiscated proceeds of crime or property and the agency or agencies involved or such other information as may be agreed between the Parties. Option 1 [2. On receipt of a request for sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property made in accordance with the provisions of this article, the Party where confiscated proceeds of crime or property are located shall consider, in consultation with the other Party, whether to share such proceeds of crime or property, as set out in article 3 of this Agreement. ] Option 2 [2. On receipt of a request for sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property made in accordance with the provisions of this article, the Party where confiscated proceeds of crime or property are located shall share with the other Party such proceeds of crime or property, as set out in article 3 of this Agreement. ] Article 5 Sharing of confiscated proceeds of crime or property Option 1 [1. Where a Party proposes to share confiscated proceeds of crime or property with the other Party, it shall: (a) Determine, at its discretion and in accordance with its domestic law and policies, the proportion of the confiscated proceeds of crime or property to be shared, which, in its view, corresponds to the extent of the cooperation afforded by the other Party; and (b) Transfer a sum equivalent to that proportion set forth in subparagraph (a) above to the other Party in accordance with article 6 of this Agreement. In determining the amount to transfer, the Party holding the confiscated proceeds of crime or property may include any interest and appreciation that has accrued on the confiscated proceeds of crime or property and may deduct reasonable expenses incurred in investigations, prosecution or judicial proceedings leading to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime or property. ] Option 2 [1. In sharing confiscated proceeds of crime or property in accordance with this Agreement: (a) The proportion of the confiscated proceeds of crime or property to be shared shall be determined by the Parties on a quantum meruit basis or on any other reasonable basis agreed upon by the Parties; (b) The Party holding the confiscated proceeds of crime or property shall transfer a sum equivalent to that proportion set forth in subparagraph (a) above to the other Party in accordance with article 6 of this Agreement. In determining the amount to transfer, the Parties shall agree on any issues related to interest and appreciation that has accrued on the confiscated proceeds of crime or property and the deduction of reasonable expenses incurred in investigations, prosecution or judicial proceedings leading to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime or property. ] The Parties agree that it may not be appropriate to share where the value of the confiscated proceeds of crime or property is de minimis, subject to previous consultations between them. Article 6 Payment of shared proceeds of crime or property Unless the Parties agree otherwise, any sum transferred pursuant to article 5, paragraph 1 (b), of this Agreement shall be paid: (a) In the currency of the Party where the proceeds of crime or property are located; and (b) By means of an electronic transfer of funds or by cheque. Payment of any such sum shall be made: (a) In any case in which the Government of _______________ is receiving payment, to [identify the pertinent office or designated account as specified in the request]; (b) In any case in which the Government of _______________ is receiving payment, to [identify the pertinent office or designated account as specified in the request]; or (c) To such other recipient or recipients as the Party receiving payment may from time to time specify by notification for the purposes of this article. Article 7 Terms of transfer In making the transfer, the Parties recognize that all right or title to and interest in the transferred proceeds of crime or property have already been adjudicated and that no further judicial proceedings are necessary to complete the confiscation. The Party transferring the proceeds of crime or property assumes no liability or responsibility for the proceeds of crime or property once they have been transferred and relinquishes all right or title to and interest in the transferred proceeds of crime or property. Unless otherwise agreed, where a Party transfers confiscated proceeds of crime or property pursuant to article 5, paragraph 1 (b), of this Agreement, the other Party shall use the proceeds of crime or property for any lawful purpose at its discretion. Article 8 Channels of communication All communications between the Parties pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be conducted through [the central authorities designated pursuant to article [] of the treaty on mutual legal assistance referred to in the preamble to the agreement] or by the following: (a) For the Government of __________________, by the Office of ______________________; (b) For the Government of __________________, by the Office of ______________________; or (c) By such other nominees as the Parties, for their own part, may from time to time specify by notification for the purposes of this article. Article 9 Territorial application This Agreement shall apply [if applicable, designate any territories to which the agreement should be extended for each Government]. Article 10 Amendments This Agreement may be amended when both Parties have agreed in writing to such amendment. Article 11 Consultations The Parties shall consult promptly, at the request of either Party, concerning the interpretation, application or implementation of this Agreement, either generally or in relation to a particular case. Article 12 Entry into force This Agreement shall enter into force upon signature by both Parties or upon notification by the Parties that the necessary internal procedures have been completed. Article 13 Termination of the Agreement Either Party may terminate this Agreement, at any time, by giving written notice to the other Party. Termination shall become effective […] months after receipt of the notice. The provisions shall, however, continue to apply in relation to confiscated proceeds of crime or property to be shared under this Agreement. In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement. Done in duplicate at [location], this _________ day of __________, _____. For the Government of For the Government of [Signature] __________________ [Signature] __________________ 2005/15 Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice The Economic and Social Council, Emphasizing the responsibility assumed by the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice in pursuance of Economic and Social Council resolution 155 C (VII) of 13 August 1948 and General Assembly resolution 415 (V) of 1 December 1950, Acknowledging that the United Nations congresses on crime prevention and criminal justice, as major intergovernmental forums, have influenced national policies and practices and promoted international cooperation in this field by facilitating the exchange of views and experience, mobilizing public opinion and recommending policy options at the national, regional and international levels, Recalling its resolution 46/152 of 18 December 1991, in the annex to which Member States affirmed that the United Nations congresses on crime prevention and criminal justice should be held every five years and should provide a forum for, inter alia, the exchange of views between States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and individual experts representing various professions and disciplines, the exchange of experiences in research, law and policy development and the identification of emerging trends and issues in crime prevention and criminal justice, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, on the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, in which it stressed that all countries should promote policies consistent and coherent with the commitments of the major United Nations conferences and summits, emphasized that the United Nations system had an important responsibility to assist Governments to stay fully engaged in the follow-up to and implementation of agreements and commitments reached at the major United Nations conferences and summits and invited its intergovernmental bodies to further promote the implementation of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits, Recalling further General Assembly resolution 59/151 of 20 December 2004, in which it called upon the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to formulate concrete proposals for further follow-up and action, paying particular attention to practical arrangements relating to the effective implementation of the international legal instruments pertaining to transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption and technical assistance activities relating thereto, and requested the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its fourteenth session to give high priority to considering the conclusions and recommendations of the Eleventh Congress, with a view to recommending, through the Economic and Social Council, appropriate follow-up by the General Assembly at its sixtieth session, Bearing in mind the United Nations Millennium Declaration, adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations on 8 September 2000, in which Heads of State and Government resolved to strengthen respect for the rule of law in international as well as in national affairs, to make the United Nations more effective in maintaining peace and security by giving it the resources and tools it needed for conflict prevention, peaceful resolution of disputes, peacekeeping, post-conflict peacebuilding and reconstruction, to take concerted action against international terrorism and accede as soon as possible to all the relevant international conventions, to redouble their efforts to implement their commitment to counter the world drug problem and to intensify their collective efforts to fight transnational crime in all its dimensions, including trafficking as well as smuggling in human beings and money-laundering, Taking note of the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change entitled “A more secure world: our shared responsibility” and the recommendations contained therein, as well as the report of the Secretary-General entitled “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all” and the proposals contained therein, Recalling its decision 2004/242 of 21 July 2004, in which the Council decided that the prominent theme for the fourteenth session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice should be “Conclusions and recommendations of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice”, Having considered the report of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the related recommendations made by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its fourteenth session, Expresses its satisfaction with the results achieved by the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, including the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh Congress; Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which contains the results of the Eleventh Congress, including the conclusions and recommendations made at the workshops and at the high-level segment held during the Eleventh Congress; Endorses the Bangkok Declaration adopted by the Eleventh Congress, as approved by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice; Invites Governments to take into consideration the Bangkok Declaration and the recommendations adopted by the Eleventh Congress in formulating legislation and policy directives and to make all efforts, where appropriate, to implement the principles contained therein, taking into account the economic, social, legal and cultural specificities of their respective States; Invites Member States to identify areas covered in the Bangkok Declaration where further tools and training manuals based on international standards and best practices are needed, and to submit that information to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice so that it may take it into account when considering potential areas of future activity of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Requests the Secretary-General to distribute the report of the Eleventh Congress, including the Bangkok Declaration, to Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, so as to ensure that its recommendations are disseminated as widely as possible, and to seek proposals by Member States for ways and means of ensuring appropriate follow-up to the Bangkok Declaration for consideration and action by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its fifteenth session; Notes that the Governments of a number of States have offered to host the Twelfth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, to be held in 2010, and requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to engage in consultations with the Governments concerned and to report thereon to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice; Expresses its profound gratitude to the people and Government of Thailand for the warm and generous hospitality extended to the participants of the Eleventh Congress and for the excellent facilities provided for the Congress; Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly, at its sixty-first session, a report on the implementation of the present resolution. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 Action against transnational organized crime: protection of witnesses The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, by which it adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 55/255 of 31 May 2001, by which it adopted the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Concerned about the negative political, economic and social implications of the activities of organized criminal groups and the possible expansion of such activities, Convinced of the need to strengthen local, regional and international cooperation in the effective prevention and combating of such activities wherever they occur, Determined to facilitate the testimony of witnesses in order to ensure prosecution of those who participate in or profit from transnational organized crime, and thus to prevent the provision of safe havens for such persons, Reaffirming the growing recognition of the key role of witnesses in criminal proceedings, especially in cases involving organized crime, and the need to encourage their collaboration and to provide them with effective protection from retaliation or intimidation, Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto; Encourages Member States to exchange their experiences with, and information on, action taken to provide effective protection for witnesses in criminal proceedings involving transnational and national organized crime and for their relatives and all other persons close to them; Requests the Secretary-General to pay special attention, within the framework of technical assistance activities, to the issue of the protection of witnesses, in order to enable Member States to establish effective witness protection programmes; Also requests the Secretary-General to convene, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, an open-ended intergovernmental group of experts, the composition of which should reflect equitable geographical representation and the diversity of legal systems, to exchange experiences and put forward suggestions and recommendations with regard to protecting witnesses and encouraging them to collaborate in the judicial process, taking into account ongoing work in that area. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/17 International cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, by which it adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 55/255 of 31 May 2001, by which it adopted the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Recalling further General Assembly resolutions 59/157 of 20 December 2004, entitled “International cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime: assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto”, and 59/159 of 20 December 2004, entitled “Strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity”, Reaffirming its deep concern at the impact of transnational organized crime on the political, social and economic stability and development of societies, Reaffirming that the adoption of the Convention and the Protocols thereto is a significant development in international criminal law and that they constitute important instruments for effective international cooperation, including regional and subregional cooperation, against transnational organized crime, Taking note of the proposals of the Secretary-General on strengthening the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime contained in his report entitled “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all”, Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto; Welcomes the entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and of the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; Notes that the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime was held in Vienna from 28 June to 9 July 2004, and looks forward to the second session of the Conference of the Parties, to be held in Vienna from 10 to 21 October 2005; Commends the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its work in promoting the ratification of the Convention and the Protocols thereto, including, in particular, the preparation of legislative guides designed to facilitate the ratification and subsequent implementation of those instruments, and invites the Office to disseminate the legislative guides as widely as possible; Urges all States and relevant regional economic integration organizations that have not done so to consider ratifying or acceding to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto as soon as possible; Also urges all States and relevant regional economic integration organizations to take all necessary measures to improve international cooperation, including regional and subregional cooperation, in criminal matters, especially extradition and mutual legal assistance, in accordance with their international obligations; Welcomes the financial support provided by several donors to promote the entry into force and implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto, and encourages Member States to make sufficient voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund, as well as contributions in direct support of activities and projects of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, including through contributions to the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network, for the provision of technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for the implementation of those international legal instruments; Requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime with the resources necessary to enable it to promote, in an effective manner, the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto and to discharge its functions as the secretariat of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in accordance with its mandate; Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, building on the experience gained from the preparation of the legislative guides, to consult with the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime concerning the preparation of manuals and other tools to facilitate the implementation of the Convention and the Protocols thereto; Also requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to continue to assist States, upon request, with capacity-building in the area of ratification as well as implementation of the Convention and its Protocols, in particular through international cooperation in criminal matters, including extradition and mutual legal assistance; Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the General Assembly the reports of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; Also requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution in his report on the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to be submitted to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/18 Action against corruption: assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the entry into force and subsequent implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption The Economic and Social Council, Deeply concerned about the impact of corruption on the political, social and economic stability and development of societies, Bearing in mind that the prevention and combating of corruption is a common and shared responsibility of the international community, necessitating cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels, Bearing in mind also that the prevention and elimination of corruption is a responsibility of all States and that they must cooperate with one another, with the support and involvement of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, if their efforts to prevent and combat corruption are to be effective, Reaffirming its support and commitment to the goals of the United Nations in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, in particular the objectives set forth in the Vienna Declaration on Crime and Justice: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century, Recalling General Assembly resolution 58/4 of 31 October 2003, in which it adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and urged all States and competent regional economic integration organizations to sign and ratify it, Noting with appreciation the High-level Political Conference for the Purpose of Signing the United Nations Convention against Corruption, held in Merida, Mexico, from 9 to 11 December 2003, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/155 of 20 December 2004, entitled “Action against corruption: assistance to States in capacity-building with a view to facilitating the entry into force and subsequent implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption”, Noting with appreciation the initiative of the States that have made financial contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund to facilitate the ratification and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption by developing countries and by countries with economies in transition, Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Convention against Corruption; Welcomes the signing of the United Nations Convention against Corruption by a large number of Member States and the ratification of the Convention by an increasing number of Member States, which reflects the high level of commitment on the part of the international community to the purpose of the Convention; Urges Member States that have not yet done so to consider signing and ratifying the United Nations Convention against Corruption as soon as possible, in order to allow its early entry into force and to facilitate its effective implementation; Also urges Member States to promote a culture of integrity and accountability in both the public sector and the private sector, and calls upon them to adopt measures to facilitate the recovery and return of assets that are consistent with the principles of the United Nations Convention against Corruption; Calls upon Member States to continue to make adequate voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund to provide developing countries and countries with economies in transition with the technical assistance that they may require to implement the United Nations Convention against Corruption, including assistance for the preparatory measures required for implementation, taking into account article 62 of the Convention; Requests the Secretary-General to provide the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime with the resources necessary to enable it to promote, in an effective manner, the entry into force and implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, inter alia, through the provision of assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for building capacity in the areas covered by the Convention; Also requests the Secretary-General, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to finalize the legislative guide for the United Nations Convention against Corruption and, building on the experience gained in the preparation of the guide, to consider preparing manuals and other tools to facilitate implementation of the Convention; Further requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its fifteenth session on the implementation of the present resolution. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/19 Strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance in promoting the implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism within the framework of the activities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime The Economic and Social Council, Recalling all General Assembly and Security Council resolutions on terrorism, Welcoming the adoption and the forthcoming opening for signature of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, Taking note with appreciation of the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, which expresses the hope that the ongoing negotiation of the draft comprehensive convention on international terrorism will be concluded as soon as possible and recognizes that arriving at a possible definition of terrorism is one of the key issues to be resolved, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/46 of 2 December 2004, in which it reiterated that criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public, a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstances unjustifiable, whatever the considerations of a political, philosophical, ideological, racial, ethnic, religious or other nature that may be invoked to justify them, Stressing the need for Member States to ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations and international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, Mindful of the essential need to strengthen international, regional and subregional cooperation to effectively prevent and suppress terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, in particular by enhancing the national capacity of States, Recalling Security Council resolution 1566 (2004) of 8 October 2004, and reaffirming the obligation of States to cooperate fully in the fight against terrorism, especially with those States where or against whose citizens terrorist acts are committed, in accordance with their obligations under international law, in order to find, deny safe haven to and bring to justice, on the basis of the principle to extradite or prosecute, any person who supports, facilitates, participates or attempts to participate in the financing, planning, preparation or commission of terrorist acts or provides safe havens, Mindful also that acts, methods and practices of terrorism are contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations, Reaffirming its unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever and by whomsoever committed, Noting that the Bangkok Declaration emphasizes that enhancing dialogue among civilizations, promoting tolerance, preventing the indiscriminate targeting of different religions and cultures and addressing development issues and unresolved conflicts will contribute to international cooperation, which is among the most important elements to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reaffirming that no terrorist act can be justified in any circumstances, Deeply concerned that acts of terrorism continue to be perpetrated, endangering the lives and well-being of individuals worldwide, and expressing its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of terrorist attacks and their families, Noting the establishment of a working group pursuant to Security Council resolution 1566 (2004), Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/153 of 20 December 2004, in which it, inter alia, reaffirmed the importance of the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the fulfilment of its mandate in crime prevention and criminal justice, including to contribute to preventing and combating terrorism, and its resolution 59/159 of 20 December 2004, in which it requested the Office to intensify its efforts to provide technical assistance, upon request, in preventing and combating terrorism, by facilitating the implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism, including training of judicial and prosecutorial personnel, working in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, Mindful of General Assembly resolution 59/46 of 2 December 2004, in which it welcomed the continuing efforts of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to assist States to become parties to and to work towards implementing the relevant international conventions and protocols related to terrorism, Recalling that the Security Council, in its resolution 1535 (2004) of 26 March 2004, recognized the need for the Counter-Terrorism Committee, where appropriate, to visit States, with the consent of the States concerned, and to engage in a detailed discussion to monitor the implementation of Council resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, and that such visits should be conducted, when appropriate, in close cooperation with relevant international, regional and subregional organizations and other United Nations bodies, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in particular with its Terrorism Prevention Branch, taking special care of the assistance that might be available to address the needs of States, Welcoming the initiative by the Secretary-General to establish a task force in his Office for the coordination of the counter-terrorism efforts of the Secretariat, Welcoming also the adoption of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/80, especially the appointment, for a period of three years, of a special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Commends the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its contributions towards preventing and combating terrorism through the provision of technical assistance to States, upon request, in close consultation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001, in particular for promotion of the ratification of, accession to and implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism, as well as for its continuing close cooperation with international, regional and subregional organizations, and requests the Office to continue such work with international organizations, in particular specialized agencies and other relevant entities of the United Nations system; Welcomes the holding of regional and subregional workshops in San José, Tashkent, Port Louis, Praia and Lisbon to follow up on technical assistance activities conducted by the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2003 and 2004 by further familiarizing national experts and criminal justice officials with the requirements of Security Council resolution 1373 (2001) and the requirements for becoming parties to and implementing the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism and international cooperation agreements, and emphasizes the need for close cooperation, in that context, between the Terrorism Prevention Branch and the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the Office of Legal Affairs of the Secretariat, as appropriate; Welcomes also the holding of a subregional workshop in Zagreb from 7 to 9 March 2005, which resulted in the Zagreb Declaration on International Cooperation on Counter-Terrorism, Corruption and the Fight against Transnational Organized Crime, and encourages the Terrorism Prevention Branch, in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to continue to ensure proper follow-up to its technical assistance activities, in cases where such follow-up is requested by Member States; Calls upon Member States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to and to implement the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism as a matter of urgency and, where appropriate, to request assistance to that end from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations, in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Committee; Takes note of the legislative assistance tools developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and requests the Office, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,58 to finalize the draft guide for legislative incorporation and implementation of the universal instruments against terrorism and to develop it further to serve as a training tool when providing assistance to States, upon request, in capacity-building for the implementation of the universal instruments related to terrorism; Urges Member States to strengthen, to the greatest extent possible, international cooperation in order to prevent and combat terrorism, including, when necessary, entering into bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions, as well as the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism and other relevant United Nations resolutions and in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, and to ensure adequate training of all relevant personnel in executing international cooperation, and calls upon Member States to request assistance to that end from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and relevant international, regional and subregional organizations, when appropriate; Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,58 to intensify its efforts to provide Member States with technical assistance, upon request, to strengthen international cooperation, including in international, national, regional and subregional forums, in preventing and combating terrorism through the facilitation of the implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism, in particular through training in the judicial and prosecutorial fields in the proper implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism, with particular emphasis on the need to coordinate such work with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate; Recognizes the role of fair and effective criminal justice systems within the overall framework of the rule of law as an integral component of any strategy to counter terrorism, and requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, whenever appropriate, to take into account in its technical assistance programme to counter terrorism the elements necessary for building national capacity in order to strengthen criminal justice systems and the rule of law with a view to facilitating the effective implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism and relevant Security Council resolutions; Notes the discussions during the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, on its agenda item entitled “International cooperation against terrorism and links between terrorism and other criminal activities in the context of the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime”, and requests the Secretariat to take into account any existing links between terrorism and other forms of crime and to pursue an integrated, comprehensive approach in the delivery of technical assistance, emphasizing the transversal relevance of international cooperation; Urges Member States to consider the early signing and ratifying of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism,55 and requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, upon request, to promote in the course of its technical assistance activities the speedy ratification and full implementation of that Convention; Expresses its appreciation to all Member States that have supported the technical assistance activities of the Terrorism Prevention Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and invites all Member States to consider making voluntary financial contributions, in-kind contributions or both; Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session on the implementation of the present resolution. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/20 Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 1996/16 of 23 July 1996, in which it requested the Secretary-General to continue to promote the use and application of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, Recalling also its resolution 2004/27 of 21 July 2004 on guidelines on justice for child victims and witnesses of crime, in which it requested the Secretary-General to convene an intergovernmental expert group in order to develop guidelines on justice in matters involving child victims and witnesses of crime, Recalling further General Assembly resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985, by which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, annexed to the resolution, Recalling the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly by its resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, in particular articles 3 and 39 thereof, as well as the provisions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, adopted by the Assembly by its resolution 54/263 of 25 May 2000, in particular article 8 thereof, Recognizing that justice for child victims and witnesses of crime must be assured while safeguarding the rights of accused persons, Recognizing also that children who are victims and witnesses are particularly vulnerable and need special protection, assistance and support appropriate to their age, level of maturity and unique needs in order to prevent further hardship and trauma that may result from their participation in the criminal justice process, Mindful of the serious physical, psychological and emotional consequences of crime and victimization for child victims and witnesses, in particular in cases involving sexual exploitation, Mindful also of the fact that the participation of child victims and witnesses in the criminal justice process is necessary for effective prosecutions, in particular where the child victim may be the only witness, Recognizing the efforts of the International Bureau for Children's Rights in laying the groundwork for the development of guidelines on justice in matters involving child victims and witnesses of crime, Noting with appreciation the work of the Intergovernmental Expert Group Meeting to Develop Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime, held in Vienna on 15 and 16 March 2005, for which extrabudgetary resources were provided by the Government of Canada, and taking note of the report of the Intergovernmental Expert Group, Taking note of the report of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, regarding the item entitled “Making standards work: fifty years of standard-setting in crime prevention and criminal justice”, Welcoming the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in particular paragraphs 17 and 33 thereof, in which the importance of providing support and services to witnesses and victims of crime is recognized, Adopts the Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime, annexed to the present resolution, as a useful framework that could assist Member States in enhancing the protection of child victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system; Invites Member States to draw, where appropriate, on the Guidelines in the development of legislation, procedures, policies and practices for children who are victims of crime or witnesses in criminal proceedings; Calls upon Member States that have developed legislation, procedures, policies or practices for child victims and witnesses to make information available to other States, upon request and where appropriate, and to assist them in developing and implementing training or other activities in relation to the use of the Guidelines; Calls upon the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to provide technical assistance, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as well as advisory services, to Member States, upon request, to assist them in the use of the Guidelines; Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the Guidelines among Member States, the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network and other international, regional and non-governmental organizations and institutions; Recommends that Member States bring the Guidelines to the attention of relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions; Invites the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network to provide training in relation to the Guidelines and to consolidate and disseminate information on successful models at the national level; Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its seventeenth session on the implementation of the present resolution. Annex Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime Objectives The present Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime set forth good practice based on the consensus of contemporary knowledge and relevant international and regional norms, standards and principles. The Guidelines should be implemented in accordance with relevant national legislation and judicial procedures as well as take into consideration legal, social, economic, cultural and geographical conditions. However, States should constantly endeavour to overcome practical difficulties in the application of the Guidelines. The Guidelines provide a practical framework to achieve the following objectives: (a) To assist in the review of national and domestic laws, procedures and practices so that these ensure full respect for the rights of child victims and witnesses of crime and contribute to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, by parties to that Convention; (b) To assist Governments, international organizations, public agencies, non-governmental and community-based organizations and other interested parties in designing and implementing legislation, policy, programmes and practices that address key issues related to child victims and witnesses of crime; (c) To guide professionals and, where appropriate, volunteers working with child victims and witnesses of crime in their day-to-day practice in the adult and juvenile justice process at the national, regional and international levels, consistent with the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power; (d) To assist and support those caring for children in dealing sensitively with child victims and witnesses of crime. In implementing the Guidelines, each jurisdiction should ensure that adequate training, selection and procedures are put in place to protect and meet the special needs of child victims and witnesses of crime, where the nature of the victimization affects categories of children differently, such as sexual assault of children, especially girls. The Guidelines cover a field in which knowledge and practice are growing and improving. They are neither intended to be exhaustive nor to preclude further development, provided it is in harmony with their underlying objectives and principles. The Guidelines could also be applied to processes in informal and customary systems of justice such as restorative justice and in non-criminal fields of law including, but not limited to, custody, divorce, adoption, child protection, mental health, citizenship, immigration and refugee law. Special considerations The Guidelines were developed: (a) Cognizant that millions of children throughout the world suffer harm as a result of crime and abuse of power and that the rights of those children have not been adequately recognized and that they may suffer additional hardship when assisting in the justice process; (b) Recognizing that children are vulnerable and require special protection appropriate to their age, level of maturity and individual special needs; (c) Recognizing that girls are particularly vulnerable and may face discrimination at all stages of the justice system; (d) Reaffirming that every effort must be made to prevent victimization of children, including through implementation of the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime; (e) Cognizant that children who are victims and witnesses may suffer additional hardship if mistakenly viewed as offenders when they are in fact victims and witnesses; (f) Recalling that the Convention on the Rights of the Child sets forth requirements and principles to secure effective recognition of the rights of children and that the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power sets forth principles to provide victims with the right to information, participation, protection, reparation and assistance; (g) Recalling international and regional initiatives that implement the principles of the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, including the Handbook on Justice for Victims and the Guide for Policy Makers on the Declaration of Basic Principles, both issued by the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention in 1999; (h) Recognizing the efforts of the International Bureau for Children's Rights in laying the groundwork for the development of guidelines on justice for child victims and witnesses of crime; (i) Considering that improved responses to child victims and witnesses of crime can make children and their families more willing to disclose instances of victimization and more supportive of the justice process; (j) Recalling that justice for child victims and witnesses of crime must be assured while safeguarding the rights of accused and convicted offenders; (k) Bearing in mind the variety of legal systems and traditions, and noting that crime is increasingly transnational in nature and that there is a need to ensure that child victims and witnesses of crime receive equivalent protection in all countries. Principles As stated in international instruments and in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child as reflected in the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and in order to ensure justice for child victims and witnesses of crime, professionals and others responsible for the well-being of those children must respect the following cross-cutting principles: (a) Dignity. Every child is a unique and valuable human being and as such his or her individual dignity, special needs, interests and privacy should be respected and protected; (b) Non-discrimination. Every child has the right to be treated fairly and equally, regardless of his or her or the parent's or legal guardian's race, ethnicity, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability and birth or other status; (c) Best interests of the child. While the rights of accused and convicted offenders should be safeguarded, every child has the right to have his or her best interests given primary consideration. This includes the right to protection and to a chance for harmonious development: (i) Protection. Every child has the right to life and survival and to be shielded from any form of hardship, abuse or neglect, including physical, psychological, mental and emotional abuse and neglect; (ii) Harmonious development. Every child has the right to a chance for harmonious development and to a standard of living adequate for physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social growth. In the case of a child who has been traumatized, every step should be taken to enable the child to enjoy healthy development; (d) Right to participation. Every child has, subject to national procedural law, the right to express his or her views, opinions and beliefs freely, in his or her own words, and to contribute especially to the decisions affecting his or her life, including those taken in any judicial processes, and to have those views taken into consideration according to his or her abilities, age, intellectual maturity and evolving capacity. Definitions Throughout these Guidelines, the following definitions apply: (a) “Child victims and witnesses” denotes children and adolescents, under the age of 18, who are victims of crime or witnesses to crime regardless of their role in the offence or in the prosecution of the alleged offender or groups of offenders; (b) “Professionals” refers to persons who, within the context of their work, are in contact with child victims and witnesses of crime or are responsible for addressing the needs of children in the justice system and for whom these Guidelines are applicable. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: child and victim advocates and support persons; child protection service practitioners; child welfare agency staff; prosecutors and, where appropriate, defence lawyers; diplomatic and consular staff; domestic violence programme staff; judges; court staff; law enforcement officials; medical and mental health professionals; and social workers; (c) “Justice process” encompasses detection of the crime, making of the complaint, investigation, prosecution and trial and post-trial procedures, regardless of whether the case is handled in a national, international or regional criminal justice system for adults or juveniles, or in a customary or informal system of justice; (d) “Child-sensitive” denotes an approach that balances the child's right to protection and that takes into account the child's individual needs and views. The right to be treated with dignity and compassion Child victims and witnesses should be treated in a caring and sensitive manner throughout the justice process, taking into account their personal situation and immediate needs, age, gender, disability and level of maturity and fully respecting their physical, mental and moral integrity. Every child should be treated as an individual with his or her individual needs, wishes and feelings. Interference in the child's private life should be limited to the minimum needed at the same time as high standards of evidence collection are maintained in order to ensure fair and equitable outcomes of the justice process. In order to avoid further hardship to the child, interviews, examinations and other forms of investigation should be conducted by trained professionals who proceed in a sensitive, respectful and thorough manner. All interactions described in these Guidelines should be conducted in a child-sensitive manner in a suitable environment that accommodates the special needs of the child, according to his or her abilities, age, intellectual maturity and evolving capacity. They should also take place in a language that the child uses and understands. The right to be protected from discrimination Child victims and witnesses should have access to a justice process that protects them from discrimination based on the child's, parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability and birth or other status. The justice process and support services available to child victims and witnesses and their families should be sensitive to the child's age, wishes, understanding, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, cultural, religious, linguistic and social background, caste, socio-economic condition and immigration or refugee status, as well as to the special needs of the child, including health, abilities and capacities. Professionals should be trained and educated about such differences. In certain cases, special services and protection will need to be instituted to take account of gender and the different nature of specific offences against children, such as sexual assault involving children. Age should not be a barrier to a child's right to participate fully in the justice process. Every child should be treated as a capable witness, subject to examination, and his or her testimony should not be presumed invalid or untrustworthy by reason of the child's age alone as long as his or her age and maturity allow the giving of intelligible and credible testimony, with or without communication aids and other assistance. The right to be informed Child victims and witnesses, their parents or guardians and legal representatives, from their first contact with the justice process and throughout that process, should be promptly and adequately informed, to the extent feasible and appropriate, of, inter alia: (a) The availability of health, psychological, social and other relevant services as well as the means of accessing such services along with legal or other advice or representation, compensation and emergency financial support, where applicable; (b) The procedures for the adult and juvenile criminal justice process, including the role of child victims and witnesses, the importance, timing and manner of testimony, and ways in which “questioning” will be conducted during the investigation and trial; (c) The existing support mechanisms for the child when making a complaint and participating in the investigation and court proceedings; (d) The specific places and times of hearings and other relevant events; (e) The availability of protective measures; (f) The existing mechanisms for review of decisions affecting child victims and witnesses; (g) The relevant rights for child victims and witnesses pursuant to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power. In addition, child victims, their parents or guardians and legal representatives should be promptly and adequately informed, to the extent feasible and appropriate, of: (a) The progress and disposition of the specific case, including the apprehension, arrest and custodial status of the accused and any pending changes to that status, the prosecutorial decision and relevant post-trial developments and the outcome of the case; (b) The existing opportunities to obtain reparation from the offender or from the State through the justice process, through alternative civil proceedings or through other processes. The right to be heard and to express views and concerns Professionals should make every effort to enable child victims and witnesses to express their views and concerns related to their involvement in the justice process, including by: (a) Ensuring that child victims and where appropriate witnesses are consulted on the matters set forth in paragraph 19 above; (b) Ensuring that child victims and witnesses are enabled to express freely and in their own manner their views and concerns regarding their involvement in the justice process, their concerns regarding safety in relation to the accused, the manner in which they prefer to provide testimony and their feelings about the conclusions of the process; (c) Giving due regard to the child's views and concerns and, if they are unable to accommodate them, explain the reasons to the child. The right to effective assistance Child victims and witnesses and, where appropriate, family members should have access to assistance provided by professionals who have received relevant training as set out in paragraphs 40 to 42 below. This may include assistance and support services such as financial, legal, counselling, health, social and educational services, physical and psychological recovery services and other services necessary for the child's reintegration. All such assistance should address the child's needs and enable him or her to participate effectively at all stages of the justice process. In assisting child victims and witnesses, professionals should make every effort to coordinate support so that the child is not subjected to excessive interventions. Child victims and witnesses should receive assistance from support persons, such as child victim/witness specialists, commencing at the initial report and continuing until such services are no longer required. Professionals should develop and implement measures to make it easier for children to testify or give evidence to improve communication and understanding at the pre-trial and trial stages. These measures may include: (a) Child victim and witness specialists to address the child's special needs; (b) Support persons, including specialists and appropriate family members to accompany the child during testimony; (c) Where appropriate, to appoint guardians to protect the child's legal interests. The right to privacy Child victims and witnesses should have their privacy protected as a matter of primary importance. Information relating to a child's involvement in the justice process should be protected. This can be achieved through maintaining confidentiality and restricting disclosure of information that may lead to identification of a child who is a victim or witness in the justice process. Measures should be taken to protect children from undue exposure to the public by, for example, excluding the public and the media from the courtroom during the child's testimony, where permitted by national law. The right to be protected from hardship during the justice process Professionals should take measures to prevent hardship during the detection, investigation and prosecution process in order to ensure that the best interests and dignity of child victims and witnesses are respected. Professionals should approach child victims and witnesses with sensitivity, so that they: (a) Provide support for child victims and witnesses, including accompanying the child throughout his or her involvement in the justice process, when it is in his or her best interests; (b) Provide certainty about the process, including providing child victims and witnesses with clear expectations as to what to expect in the process, with as much certainty as possible. The child's participation in hearings and trials should be planned ahead of time and every effort should be made to ensure continuity in the relationships between children and the professionals in contact with them throughout the process; (c) Ensure that trials take place as soon as practical, unless delays are in the child's best interest. Investigation of crimes involving child victims and witnesses should also be expedited and there should be procedures, laws or court rules that provide for cases involving child victims and witnesses to be expedited; (d) Use child-sensitive procedures, including interview rooms designed for children, interdisciplinary services for child victims integrated in the same location, modified court environments that take child witnesses into consideration, recesses during a child's testimony, hearings scheduled at times of day appropriate to the age and maturity of the child, an appropriate notification system to ensure the child goes to court only when necessary and other appropriate measures to facilitate the child's testimony. Professionals should also implement measures: (a) To limit the number of interviews: special procedures for collection of evidence from child victims and witnesses should be implemented in order to reduce the number of interviews, statements, hearings and, specifically, unnecessary contact with the justice process, such as through use of video recording; (b) To ensure that child victims and witnesses are protected, if compatible with the legal system and with due respect for the rights of the defence, from being cross-examined by the alleged perpetrator: as necessary, child victims and witnesses should be interviewed, and examined in court, out of sight of the alleged perpetrator, and separate courthouse waiting rooms and private interview areas should be provided; (c) To ensure that child victims and witnesses are questioned in a child-sensitive manner and allow for the exercise of supervision by judges, facilitate testimony and reduce potential intimidation, for example by using testimonial aids or appointing psychological experts. The right to safety Where the safety of a child victim or witness may be at risk, appropriate measures should be taken to require the reporting of those safety risks to appropriate authorities and to protect the child from such risk before, during and after the justice process. Professionals who come into contact with children should be required to notify appropriate authorities if they suspect that a child victim or witness has been harmed, is being harmed or is likely to be harmed. Professionals should be trained in recognizing and preventing intimidation, threats and harm to child victims and witnesses. Where child victims and witnesses may be the subject of intimidation, threats or harm, appropriate conditions should be put in place to ensure the safety of the child. Such safeguards could include: (a) Avoiding direct contact between child victims and witnesses and the alleged perpetrators at any point in the justice process; (b) Using court-ordered restraining orders supported by a registry system; (c) Ordering pre-trial detention of the accused and setting special “no contact” bail conditions; (d) Placing the accused under house arrest; (e) Wherever possible and appropriate, giving child victims and witnesses protection by the police or other relevant agencies and safeguarding their whereabouts from disclosure. The right to reparation Child victims should, wherever possible, receive reparation in order to achieve full redress, reintegration and recovery. Procedures for obtaining and enforcing reparation should be readily accessible and child-sensitive. Provided the proceedings are child-sensitive and respect these Guidelines, combined criminal and reparations proceedings should be encouraged, together with informal and community justice procedures such as restorative justice. Reparation may include restitution from the offender ordered in the criminal court, aid from victim compensation programmes administered by the State and damages ordered to be paid in civil proceedings. Where possible, costs of social and educational reintegration, medical treatment, mental health care and legal services should be addressed. Procedures should be instituted to ensure enforcement of reparation orders and payment of reparation before fines. The right to special preventive measures In addition to preventive measures that should be in place for all children, special strategies are required for child victims and witnesses who are particularly vulnerable to recurring victimization or offending. Professionals should develop and implement comprehensive and specially tailored strategies and interventions in cases where there are risks that child victims may be victimized further. These strategies and interventions should take into account the nature of the victimization, including victimization related to abuse in the home, sexual exploitation, abuse in institutional settings and trafficking. The strategies may include those based on government, neighbourhood and citizen initiatives. Implementation Adequate training, education and information should be made available to professionals, working with child victims and witnesses with a view to improving and sustaining specialized methods, approaches and attitudes in order to protect and deal effectively and sensitively with child victims and witnesses. Professionals should be trained to effectively protect and meet the needs of child victims and witnesses, including in specialized units and services. This training should include: (a) Relevant human rights norms, standards and principles, including the rights of the child; (b) Principles and ethical duties of their office; (c) Signs and symptoms that indicate crimes against children; (d) Crisis assessment skills and techniques, especially for making referrals, with an emphasis placed on the need for confidentiality; (e) Impact, consequences, including negative physical and psychological effects, and trauma of crimes against children; (f) Special measures and techniques to assist child victims and witnesses in the justice process; (g) Cross-cultural and age-related linguistic, religious, social and gender issues; (h) Appropriate adult-child communication skills; (i) Interviewing and assessment techniques that minimize any trauma to the child while maximizing the quality of information received from the child; (j) Skills to deal with child victims and witnesses in a sensitive, understanding, constructive and reassuring manner; (k) Methods to protect and present evidence and to question child witnesses; (l) Roles of, and methods used by, professionals working with child victims and witnesses. Professionals should make every effort to adopt an interdisciplinary and cooperative approach in aiding children by familiarizing themselves with the wide array of available services, such as victim support, advocacy, economic assistance, counselling, education, health, legal and social services. This approach may include protocols for the different stages of the justice process to encourage cooperation among entities that provide services to child victims and witnesses, as well as other forms of multidisciplinary work that includes police, prosecutor, medical, social services and psychological personnel working in the same location. International cooperation should be enhanced between States and all sectors of society, both at the national and international levels, including mutual assistance for the purpose of facilitating collection and exchange of information and the detection, investigation and prosecution of transnational crimes involving child victims and witnesses. Professionals should consider utilizing the present Guidelines as a basis for developing laws and written policies, standards and protocols aimed at assisting child victims and witnesses involved in the justice process. Professionals should be enabled to periodically review and evaluate their role, together with other agencies in the justice process, in ensuring the protection of the rights of the child and the effective implementation of the present Guidelines. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/21 Strengthening the technical cooperation capacity of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme in the area of the rule of law and criminal justice reform The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 46/152 of 18 December 1991 on the creation of an effective United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme and 59/159 of 20 December 2004 on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, Recalling also its resolution 2004/25 of 21 July 2004, in which it requested the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to consider specific practical strategies to assist in promoting the rule of law, and encouraged the Office to continue to provide technical assistance and advisory services to Member States upon request in support of criminal justice reform and to incorporate elements concerning the rule of law into such assistance, Recalling further the Vienna Declaration on Crime and Justice: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century, adopted by the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, held in Vienna from 10 to 17 April 2000, and the plans of action for the implementation of the Vienna Declaration, and welcoming the progress made by Member States in implementing the Vienna Declaration and its plans of action, Recalling the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, Conscious of the support expressed in the Bangkok Declaration for a more integrated approach within the United Nations in relation to the provision of assistance for building capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, and in cooperation in criminal matters of a transnational character, as a contribution to the establishment and strengthening of the rule of law, Conscious also of the commitment expressed in the Bangkok Declaration to the development and maintenance of fair and efficient criminal justice institutions, including the humane treatment of all those in pre-trial and correctional facilities, in accordance with applicable international standards, Welcoming the commitment expressed in the Bangkok Declaration to strengthening the legal and financial framework for providing support to victims of crime and terrorism, to promoting access to justice, to considering the provision of legal aid, to facilitating training for prison officials, prosecutors, the judiciary and other relevant professional groups, taking into account the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, to reviewing the adequacy of standards and norms in relation to prison management and prisoners, to ensuring that the problems of HIV/AIDS are addressed in pre-trial and correctional facilities, to further developing restorative justice policies, procedures and programmes that include alternatives to prosecution and to ensuring the provision of services to child victims and children in conflict with the law, in particular those deprived of their liberty, Taking note of the report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change entitled “A more secure world: our shared responsibility”, Taking note also of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “In larger freedom: towards development, security and human rights for all”, Recognizing that effective criminal justice systems can only be developed based on the rule of law and that the rule of law itself requires the protection of effective criminal justice measures, Recognizing also that effective criminal justice systems based on the rule of law are a prerequisite for combating transnational organized crime, trafficking in human beings, terrorism, corruption and other forms of transnational and domestic criminal activity, Emphasizes the role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in developing and maintaining expertise on the rule of law in criminal justice systems and in providing advice and assistance on issues relating to criminal justice and the rule of law, where appropriate, to Member States, other United Nations entities and intergovernmental organizations at their request; Reaffirms the importance of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme in promoting effective action to strengthen international cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice and in assisting Member States in developing and maintaining fair and efficient criminal justice institutions, including through comprehensive and integrated approaches to criminal justice reform; Invites relevant entities of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Programme, as well as the World Bank and other international funding agencies, to increase their cooperation and coordination with United Nations entities concerned with supporting the rule of law, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in order to promote a more integrated approach to the provision of assistance for building capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, and in cooperation in criminal matters of a transnational character, as a contribution to the establishment and strengthening of the rule of law; Reaffirms the role of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in responding to requests from Member States for technical cooperation, advisory services and other forms of assistance in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, including in the area of criminal justice reform and reconstruction of national criminal justice systems, and recognizes the need to continue to enhance the provision of assistance in that field to Member States, upon request, in particular to least developed countries, developing countries, countries with economies in transition and countries emerging from conflict; Invites all States to support the operational activities of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, through voluntary contributions to the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund or through voluntary contributions in direct support of such activities, including, where appropriate, for the provision of technical assistance for the implementation of the commitments entered into at the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005; Expresses its appreciation to non-governmental organizations and other relevant sectors of civil society for their support for the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, and stresses the necessity to strengthen the role of civil society in criminal justice reform efforts; Encourages the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to continue providing assistance to Member States, upon request, in particular to least developed countries, developing countries and countries with economies in transition, as well as to countries emerging from conflict, taking into account the leading role of other United Nations entities, such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme in that area, in reinforcing the rule of law through technical cooperation, advisory services and other forms of assistance in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice reform and reconstruction of national criminal justice systems; Also encourages the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to continue developing tools and training manuals on criminal justice reform, based on international standards and best practices; Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its sixteenth session. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/22 Action to promote effective crime prevention The Economic and Social Council, Recalling the guidelines for cooperation and technical assistance in the field of urban crime, annexed to its resolution 1995/9 of 24 July 1995, and the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, annexed to its resolution 2002/13 of 24 July 2002, Recalling also its resolutions 2003/26 of 22 July 2003 and 2004/31 of 21 July 2004, on the prevention of urban crime, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Action to promote effective crime prevention” and the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime entitled “Development, security and justice for all”, Mindful of the importance given to prevention in the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto and the recognition in the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime that crime prevention strategies should, where appropriate, take account of the links between local crime problems and transnational organized crime, Recalling the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, Bearing in mind that the Bangkok Declaration recognizes that comprehensive and effective crime prevention strategies can significantly reduce crime and victimization and urges that such strategies be further developed and implemented at the local, national and international levels, taking into account, inter alia, the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, Bearing in mind also that the Bangkok Declaration stresses the need to strengthen international cooperation in order to create an environment conducive to the fight against crime, including by promoting growth and sustainable development and eradicating poverty and unemployment through effective and balanced development strategies and crime prevention policies, and to consider measures to prevent the expansion of urban crime, including by improving international cooperation and capacity-building for law enforcement and the judiciary in that area and by promoting the involvement of local authorities and civil society, all of which would contribute to strengthening the rule of law, Recalling the recommendations set out in the report of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which, inter alia, stress the need for well-integrated, knowledge-based approaches, focusing on the most vulnerable areas and groups, and recognize the links between drugs and crime, including local, and transnational organized crime, Acknowledging the range of approaches to crime prevention, and stressing the importance of exchanging knowledge and sharing successful practices within and between developing countries, developed countries and countries with economies in transition, Mindful of the eighth World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, to be held in Durban, South Africa, from 2 to 5 April 2006, which is being organized jointly by the University of South Africa, the Medical Research Council of South Africa and the Foundation for Professional Development and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, and the World Urban Forum III, to be convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Vancouver, Canada, from 19 to 23 June 2006, both of which will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge on crime prevention involving the health, urban development and justice sectors, Noting that the forthcoming regional crime prevention forum for non-governmental organizations from Central and Eastern Europe which is being organized in Vienna on 27 and 28 October 2005 by the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, in conjunction with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will address current problems and activities concerning the prevention of urban crime, human trafficking and corruption, Calls upon Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, local authorities and civil society to further develop and implement effective crime prevention strategies at national, regional and local levels that take into account, where appropriate, inter alia, the Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime; Invites Member States, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, institutes and other entities of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to support a more integrated approach to building capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice and to promote crime prevention cooperation as a contribution to the establishment and strengthening of the rule of law; Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to continue to undertake action pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2004/28 of 21 July 2004 in relation to gathering information on standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, given the importance of this as a platform for the exchange of information and successful practices in crime prevention, and calls upon Member States to make voluntary contributions to that end; Also requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to pay due attention to crime prevention, with a view to achieving a balanced approach between crime prevention and criminal justice responses, to further developing initiatives on crime prevention, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,77 and to promoting such work, where appropriate, with relevant international development organizations involved with sustainable livelihood; Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its sixteenth session on progress made in relation to its actions on gathering information in respect of Member States and their crime prevention practices in order to promote effective crime prevention strategies. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/23 Strengthening reporting on crime The Economic and Social Council, Aware that regular collection and analysis of relevant information on crime may prove an invaluable tool for policymaking, technical cooperation and law enforcement, Noting with appreciation the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in the regular collection of information on crime trends and the operations of criminal justice systems in pursuance of General Assembly resolution 3021 (XXVII) of 18 December 1972 on crime prevention and control and Economic and Social Council resolution 1984/48 of 25 May 1984 on crime prevention and criminal justice in the context of development, which resulted in the conducting of eight United Nations surveys on crime trends and operations of criminal justice systems, as well as the important contribution of the United Nations congresses on crime prevention and criminal justice as a forum for discussion and presentation of their findings, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/159 of 20 December 2004 on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity, in which the Assembly called upon the Secretary-General to strengthen the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime by providing it with the resources necessary for the full implementation of its mandate in crime prevention and criminal justice, including the preparation of an updated publication on world crime trends, Recalling also its resolution 1997/27 of 21 July 1997 on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme with regard to the development of crime statistics and the operations of criminal justice systems, in which it urged Member States to take action for the improvement of crime and criminal justice statistics and to provide support to the participation in the international surveys on victims of crime through extrabudgetary resources, Considering the need to improve responses to crime, as emphasized in the Bangkok Declaration on Synergies and Responses: Strategic Alliances in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, adopted at the high-level segment of the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Bangkok from 18 to 25 April 2005, Noting with appreciation the work done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network in the area of trends in crime and justice, Recommends that the Secretary-General convene an open-ended expert group, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to consider ways and means of improving crime data collection, research and analyses with a view to enhancing the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant international entities, in particular the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, as appropriate, to enhance international cooperation and law enforcement; Invites Member States to make voluntary contributions to support the work of the open-ended expert group; Requests the Secretary-General to submit the results of the meeting of the open-ended expert group to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at its fifteenth session. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/24 Providing support to Afghanistan with a view to ensuring effective implementation of its Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan The Economic and Social Council, Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft resolution: “The General Assembly, “Noting with concern the report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime entitled `Afghanistan: Opium Survey 2004', emphasizing that the cultivation of opium poppy in Afghanistan has increased to an unprecedented level and stressing the threats to the security and stability of that country, neighbouring regions and the entire world that have emanated from the increased illicit cultivation of opium poppy and production of and trafficking in illicit drugs, “Recognizing the political will and continued commitment of Afghanistan to eliminate opium poppy cultivation by 2013, and welcoming in this context the Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan of Afghanistan, launched in February 2005, which formalized the establishment of the new counter-narcotic ministry, “Taking note of the Constitution of Afghanistan, in article 7 of which the Government of Afghanistan expresses its strong resolve to fight against the illicit cultivation of opium poppy and the production of and trafficking in opium and other illicit narcotic drugs, “Encouraging the Government of Afghanistan to intensify its efforts to achieve an effective legislative counter-narcotic framework, “Welcoming the establishment by the Government of Afghanistan of a counter-narcotic police force in support of its counter-narcotic campaign, in the context of strengthening the law enforcement regime, “Noting with appreciation the achievements of the Government of Afghanistan during 2004 in implementing law enforcement measures leading to the elimination of thousands of acres of opium poppy cultivation, the interdiction of drug traffickers, the seizure of substantial amounts of illicit drugs, precursors and small ammunitions and weapons and the dismantling of hundreds of clandestine laboratories used for illicit drug production, and noting the commitment of the Government to increasing its efforts substantially in those areas, “Noting the priority given by the Government of Afghanistan to ensuring a credible, targeted and reinforced illicit crop eradication campaign and to working with international partners through the national development budget and the newly established counter-narcotic trust fund in order to facilitate the provision of sustainable alternative livelihoods in targeted areas, “Bearing in mind that the fight against the illicit cultivation of opium poppy and the production of and trafficking in illicit narcotic drugs is a common and shared responsibility to be addressed through international efforts, as recognized by Member States in the Political Declaration adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session, “Recalling its resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, entitled `United Nations Millennium Declaration', and the goals contained therein, which focused on economic development, peace and security and the establishment of the required framework for international cooperation to achieve those goals, “Recalling also various other United Nations resolutions and recommendations, including General Assembly resolution 59/161 of 20 December 2004 and the recommendations of the International Narcotics Control Board in its report for 2004, requesting the international community to support the Government of Afghanistan in its fight against the illicit cultivation of opium poppy and trafficking in illicit narcotic drugs, “1. Notes with appreciation the bilateral and multilateral support being provided to Afghanistan by the international community through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other international entities; “2. Commends the Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan of Afghanistan, which comprises an eight-point strategy that includes: “(a) Building counter-narcotic institutions and provincial structures; “(b) Increasing the awareness of the Afghan population about the problems and threats emanating from the illicit cultivation of opium poppy and the production of and trafficking in illicit narcotic drugs; “(c) Provision of alternative livelihoods and creation of the national development budget and the counter-narcotic trust fund to provide financial support; “(d) Interdiction and elimination of heroin-manufacturing laboratories through the national anti-narcotic police force; “(e) Strengthening legal and judicial institutions; “(f) A credible, targeted and verified eradication campaign; “(g) Demand reduction and treatment of addicts; “(h) Regional cooperation with neighbouring countries aimed at strengthening security belts in the region and countering the threat posed by the illicit cultivation of opium poppy and the production of and trafficking in illicit narcotic drugs; “3. Calls upon the international community to provide the necessary support to the counter-narcotic objectives of the Government of Afghanistan, by continued technical assistance and financial commitment, in particular, to all eight pillars of the Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan; “4. Encourages all stakeholders to strengthen measures for global demand reduction, thereby enhancing efforts to combat illicit drug production and trafficking; “5. Urges Afghanistan to maintain illicit drug control among its highest priorities, as stipulated in its Constitution and the Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan, with a view to enhancing its efforts to combat the illicit cultivation of opium poppy, the production of illicit drugs and trafficking in illicit drugs and precursors; “6. Requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen its efforts to ensure that multilateral support is provided to Afghanistan in line and in coordination with the Counter-Narcotic Implementation Plan.” 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/25 Treatment of pain using opioid analgesics The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 1995/19 of 24 July 1995, 1996/19 of 23 July 1996, 1997/38 of 21 July 1997, 1998/25 of 28 July 1998, 1999/33 of 28 July 1999, 2000/18 of 27 July 2000, 2001/17 of 24 July 2001, 2002/20 of 24 July 2002, 2003/40 of 22 July 2003 and 2004/43 of 21 July 2004, in which it reiterated the importance of medically appropriate use of opiates in pain relief therapy as advocated by the World Health Organization, Bearing in mind the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1999, especially its chapter I, “Freedom from pain and suffering”, in which the Board reminded all Governments that the medical use of narcotic drugs continued to be indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering and that adequate provision must be made to ensure the availability of narcotic drugs for such purposes, Recalling the document entitled “Achieving balance in national opioids control policy: guidelines for assessment”, prepared in 2000 by the World Health Organization in consultation with the International Narcotics Control Board to help Governments to achieve better pain management by identifying and overcoming the barriers to opioid availability, in which it was emphasized that opioids such as morphine were the drugs of choice in the treatment of severe pain and that they should be available at all times in adequate amounts and in the appropriate dosage forms to satisfy the health-care needs of the majority of the population, Recalling also that, in May 2004, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization recommended for adoption by the Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly, to be held in May 2005, a draft resolution on cancer prevention and control, in which the Assembly would urge member States to ensure the medical availability of opioid analgesics according to international treaties and recommendations of the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board and subject to an efficient monitoring and control system, Welcoming the fact that the World Health Organization is developing a strategy to integrate the availability of opioid pain medication into palliative care for HIV/AIDS, cancer and other chronic diseases, Calling attention to the assessment of the International Narcotics Control Board in its report for 2004 according to which low consumption of opioid analgesics for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, especially in developing countries, continued to be a matter of great concern to the Board, Noting, on the basis of that report, the disparities in the consumption of such medicines existing between developing and developed countries, and recalling that, in 2003, six countries together accounted for 79 per cent of global consumption of morphine, while developing countries, representing about 80 per cent of the world's population, accounted for only about 6 per cent of global consumption of morphine, Bearing in mind that, in its report for 2004, the International Narcotics Control Board encouraged Member States that had not yet done so to examine the extent to which their health-care systems and laws and regulations permitted the use of opioids for medical purposes, to identify possible impediments to such use and develop plans of action for the development of long-term pain management strategies, with a view to facilitating the supply and availability of narcotic drugs for all appropriate indications, Recalling that, in its report for 1999, the International Narcotics Control Board stated that the development of a new, non-profit mechanism for the use of otherwise unused narcotic products should be considered and observed that the impediments to opioid availability that were frequently reported by government authorities were impediments originating in the regulatory and drug control system, medical/therapeutic impediments, economic impediments and social and cultural impediments, Recognizes the importance of improving the treatment of pain, including by the use of opioid analgesics, as advocated by the World Health Organization, especially in developing countries, and calls upon Member States to remove barriers to the medical use of such analgesics, taking fully into account the need to prevent their diversion for illicit use; Invites the International Narcotics Control Board and the World Health Organization to examine the feasibility of a possible assistance mechanism that would facilitate the adequate treatment of pain using opioid analgesics and to inform the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its forty-ninth session of the results of that examination; Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the present resolution to all Member States for their consideration and implementation and to report on the implementation of the resolution to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its forty-ninth session. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/26 Demand for and supply of opiates used to meet medical and scientific needs The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 2004/43 of 21 July 2004 and previous relevant resolutions, Recognizing that the medical use of narcotic drugs, including opiates, is indispensable for the relief of pain and suffering, Emphasizing that the need to balance the global licit supply of opiates against the legitimate demand for opiates used to meet medical and scientific needs is central to the international strategy and policy of drug control, Noting the fundamental need for international cooperation with the traditional supplier countries in drug control to ensure universal application of the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, Reiterating that a balance between consumption and production of opiate raw materials was achieved in the past as a result of efforts made by the two traditional supplier countries, India and Turkey, together with established supplier countries, Expressing deep concern at the level of licit global production of opiate raw materials and the significant accumulation of stocks over the past few years as a consequence of the operation of market forces, which has the potential to upset the delicate balance between the licit supply of and demand for opiates for medical and scientific purposes, Emphasizing the importance of adhering to the estimates, based on actual consumption and utilization of narcotic drugs, furnished to and confirmed by the International Narcotics Control Board on the extent of cultivation and production of opiate raw materials, especially in view of the current oversupply, Recalling the Joint Ministerial Statement adopted during the ministerial segment of the forty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in which ministers and other government representatives called upon States to continue to contribute to the maintenance of a balance between the licit supply of and demand for opiate raw materials used for medical and scientific purposes and to cooperate in preventing the proliferation of sources of production of opiate raw materials, Considering that opiate raw materials and opiates derived therefrom are not just ordinary commodities that can be subjected to the operation of market forces, and that, therefore, market economy considerations alone should not determine the cultivation of opium poppy, Reiterating the importance of medically appropriate use of opiates in pain relief therapy, as advocated by the World Health Organization, Noting that countries differ significantly in their level of consumption of narcotic drugs and that in most developing countries the use of narcotic drugs for medical purposes has remained at an extremely low level, Urges all Governments to continue to contribute to maintaining a balance between the licit supply of and demand for opiate raw materials used for medical and scientific purposes, the achievement of which would be facilitated by maintaining, insofar as their constitutional and legal systems permit, support to the traditional and established supplier countries, and to cooperate in preventing the proliferation of sources of production of opiate raw materials; Urges Governments of all producer countries to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and to take effective measures to prevent the illicit production or diversion of opiate raw materials to illicit channels, and welcomes the study carried out by the International Narcotics Control Board on the relative merits of different methods of producing opiate raw materials and encourages improvements in practices in the cultivation and production of opiate raw materials; Urges Governments of consumer countries to assess their licit needs for opiate raw materials realistically on the basis of actual consumption and utilization of opiate raw materials and opiates derived therefrom and to communicate those needs to the International Narcotics Control Board in order to ensure easy supply, calls on Governments of countries producing opium to limit the cultivation of opium poppy, taking into account the current level of global stocks, to the estimates furnished to and confirmed by the Board, in accordance with the requirements of the 1961 Convention, and urges that, in providing estimates of such cultivation, producer countries consider the actual demand requirements of importing countries; Urges all the Governments of countries where opium poppy has not been cultivated for the licit production of opiate raw materials, in the spirit of collective responsibility, to refrain from engaging in the commercial cultivation of opium poppy, in order to avoid the proliferation of supply sites; Commends the International Narcotics Control Board for its efforts in monitoring the implementation of the relevant Economic and Social Council resolutions and, in particular: (a) In urging the Governments concerned to adjust global production of opiate raw materials to a level corresponding to actual licit requirements and to avoid unforeseen imbalances between the licit supply of and demand for opiates caused by the exportation of products manufactured from seized and confiscated drugs; (b) In inviting the Governments concerned to ensure that opiates imported into their countries for medical and scientific use do not originate in countries that transform seized and confiscated drugs into licit opiates; (c) In arranging informal meetings, during the sessions of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, with the main States that import and produce opiate raw materials; Requests the International Narcotics Control Board to continue its efforts in monitoring the implementation of the relevant Economic and Social Council resolutions in full compliance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 and with that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol; Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the present resolution to all Member States for consideration and implementation and to report to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its forty-ninth session on progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/27 International assistance to States affected by the transit of illicit drugs The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 2001/16 of 24 July 2001, 2002/21 of 24 July 2002 and 2003/34 of 22 July 2003, Recalling also the Political Declaration adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session, the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction and the measures to enhance international cooperation to counter the world drug problem, Taking note of the third biennial report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the implementation of the outcome of the twentieth special session of the General Assembly and other relevant reports submitted to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its forty-eighth session, including the report on the world situation with regard to drug trafficking and the report on the world situation with regard to drug abuse, Bearing in mind that all States are affected by the devastating consequences of drug abuse and trafficking in illicit drugs, Taking into account the multifaceted challenges faced by States situated along international trafficking routes and the effects of trafficking in illicit drugs, including related crime and drug abuse, resulting from the transit of drugs through the territory of transit States, Considering that a large number of transit States are developing countries or countries with economies in transition, which need international assistance to support their efforts to prevent and suppress illicit drug trafficking and reduce illicit drug demand, Reiterating the principle of shared responsibility and the need for all States to promote and implement the actions necessary to counter the world drug problem in all its aspects, Reaffirms its commitment to promoting coordinated drug control strategies and unified responses to drug trafficking, and, in that context, encourages the development, effective implementation and further strengthening of measures for the prevention and suppression of illicit drug trafficking and the reduction of illicit drug demand in transit States, as well as cooperation in areas such as border control, mutual legal assistance, law enforcement and exchange of information between transit States, countries of destination and countries of origin; Welcomes the fact that the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has led the follow-up to the Paris Pact initiative that emerged from the Paris Statement, which was issued at the end of the Conference on Drug Routes from Central Asia to Europe, held in Paris on 21 and 22 May 2003, and encourages the Office to develop similar strategies in other regions for countries affected by the transit of illicit drugs through their territory; Calls upon Member States and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, subject to the availability of voluntary funds, which might be either from general-purpose funds, in accordance with the Commission on Narcotic Drugs guidelines for the use of general-purpose funds, or from earmarked funds, to further strengthen such initiatives by providing assistance and technical support to States affected by the transit of illicit drugs, in particular developing countries, as well as countries with economies in transition, that are in need of such assistance and support; Stresses the need to integrate projects, where appropriate, for illicit drug demand reduction and to strengthen treatment and rehabilitation services for drug abusers in the programmes for international assistance to those transit States which are affected by drug abuse as a result of the transit of illicit drugs through their territory, to enable them to deal effectively with the problem; Urges international financial institutions and other potential donors to provide financial assistance to States affected by the transit of illicit drugs through their territory, including for empowering and building the capacity of locally available human resources, so that those States may intensify their efforts to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse and deal with their consequences; Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to report to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its forty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/28 Frequency of meetings of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Europe The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 53/115 of 9 December 1998, 54/132 of 17 December 1999, 55/65 of 4 December 2000, 56/124 of 19 December 2001, 57/174 of 18 December 2002, 58/141 of 22 December 2003 and 59/163 of 20 December 2004, in which the Assembly stressed the importance of the meetings of heads of national drug law enforcement agencies in all regions of the world, and of the Subcommission on Illicit Drug Traffic and Related Matters in the Near and Middle East of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and encouraged them to continue to contribute to the strengthening of regional and international cooperation, taking into account the outcome of the twentieth special session of the Assembly, Recalling also that, in its resolution 1990/30 of 24 May 1990, it decided to establish a Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, European Region, with the status of a subsidiary organ of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Recalling further its resolution 1992/28 of 30 July 1992, entitled “Improvement of the functioning of the subsidiary bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs”, in which it requested the Commission to examine further, on a regular basis, the functioning of its subsidiary bodies, Recalling its resolution 1993/36 of 27 July 1993, entitled “Frequency of and arrangements for meetings of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Europe”, in which it invited the Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme to convene the Third Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Europe, in 1995, and thereafter to convene such meetings every three years, Alarmed at the serious and growing threat posed by organized criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, money-laundering and various other forms of organized crime and their potential and, in some cases, actual links with terrorist groups, Convinced that further action is required to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the members of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Europe, in order to effectively tackle drug trafficking within the region, Also convinced that it is essential for the heads of all national drug law enforcement agencies in Europe to meet regularly to discuss trends in the illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and the action taken to combat it, Invites the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to convene the Seventh Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies, Europe, in 2007 and thereafter to convene such meetings every two years under the auspices of the Office. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/29 Report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its fifth session and provisional agenda for its sixth session The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 2000/35 of 18 October 2000, Takes note of the report of the United Nations Forum on Forests on its fifth session; Acknowledges in particular the need to consider forest issues for the preparation of the input of the Economic and Social Council to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly; Notes that the Forum will continue its examination of its methods of work, as per General Assembly resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, through the implementation of decision 5/2 of the fifth session of the Forum; Decides to hold the sixth session of the Forum from 13 to 24 February 2006 in New York; Also decides that the Forum, at its sixth session, should consider on the venue and dates of its seventh session; Further decides that the Forum, at its sixth session, should ensure the opportunity to receive and consider inputs from representatives of major groups as identified in Agenda 21, and in this regard that the Bureau should provide the opportunity for the major groups as a priority to hold side events during the sixth session of the Forum to permit them to present their points of view on the issues to be addressed during the session; Approves the provisional agenda for the sixth session of the Forum as set out below: Provisional agenda for the sixth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Implementation of decision 5/2 of the fifth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests. Date and venue for the seventh session of the Forum. Provisional agenda for the seventh session of the Forum. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its sixth session. Calls upon interested donors to make voluntary financial contributions to the trust fund of the United Nations Forum on Forests in order to facilitate, in particular, travel of representatives from developing countries, with priority to the least developed countries, as well as from countries with economies in transition, taking into account General Assembly decision 58/554 of 23 December 2003. 36th plenary meeting 22 July 2005 2005/30 Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law The Economic and Social Council, Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/35 of 19 April 2005, in which the Commission adopted the text of the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, Expresses its appreciation to the Commission for the adoption of the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law; Adopts the Basic Principles and Guidelines as contained in the annex to the present resolution; Recommends to the General Assembly that it adopt the Basic Principles and Guidelines. 38th plenary meeting 25 July 2005 Annex Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Preamble The Commission on Human Rights, Recalling the provisions providing a right to a remedy for victims of violations of international human rights law found in numerous international instruments, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at article 8, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at article 2, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination at article 6, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment at article 14, the Convention on the Rights of the Child at article 39, and of international humanitarian law as found in article 3 of the Hague Convention of 18 October 1907 concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land (Convention IV), article 91 of Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I) of 8 June 1977, and articles 68 and 75 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Recalling the provisions providing a right to a remedy for victims of violations of international human rights found in regional conventions, in particular the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights at article 7, the American Convention on Human Rights at article 25, and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms at article 13, Recalling the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power emanating from the deliberations of the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders and General Assembly resolution 40/34 of 29 November 1985 by which the Assembly adopted the text recommended by the Congress, Reaffirming the principles enunciated in the Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, including that victims should be treated with compassion and respect for their dignity, have their right to access to justice and redress mechanisms fully respected, and that the establishment, strengthening and expansion of national funds for compensation to victims should be encouraged, together with the expeditious development of appropriate rights and remedies for victims, Noting that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court109 requires the establishment of “principles relating to reparation to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation”, requires the Assembly of States Parties to establish a trust fund for the benefit of victims of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court, and of the families of such victims, and mandates the Court “to protect the safety, physical and psychological well-being, dignity and privacy of victims” and to permit the participation of victims at all “stages of the proceedings determined to be appropriate by the Court”, Affirming that the Basic Principles and Guidelines contained herein are directed at gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law which, by their very grave nature, constitute an affront to human dignity, Emphasizing that the Basic Principles and Guidelines contained herein do not entail new international or domestic legal obligations but identify mechanisms, modalities, procedures and methods for the implementation of existing legal obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law which are complementary though different as to their norms, Recalling that international law contains the obligation to prosecute perpetrators of certain international crimes in accordance with international obligations of States and the requirements of national law or as provided for in the applicable statutes of international judicial organs, and that the duty to prosecute reinforces the international legal obligations to be carried out in accordance with national legal requirements and procedures and supports the concept of complementarity, Noting that contemporary forms of victimization, while essentially directed against persons, may nevertheless also be directed against groups of persons who are targeted collectively, Recognizing that, in honouring the victims' right to benefit from remedies and reparation, the international community keeps faith with the plight of victims, survivors and future human generations and reaffirms the international legal principles of accountability, justice and the rule of law, Convinced that, in adopting a victim-oriented perspective, the international community affirms its human solidarity with victims of violations of international law, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as well as with humanity at large, in accordance with the following Basic Principles and Guidelines, Adopts the following Basic Principles: Obligation to respect, ensure respect for and implement international human rights law and international humanitarian law The obligation to respect, ensure respect for and implement international human rights law and international humanitarian law as provided for under the respective bodies of law emanates from: (a) Treaties to which a State is a party; (b) Customary international law; (c) The domestic law of each State. If they have not already done so, States shall, as required under international law, ensure that their domestic law is consistent with their international legal obligations by: (a) Incorporating norms of international human rights law and international humanitarian law into their domestic law, or otherwise implementing them in their domestic legal system; (b) Adopting appropriate and effective legislative and administrative procedures and other appropriate measures that provide fair, effective and prompt access to justice; (c) Making available adequate, effective, prompt and appropriate remedies, including reparation, as defined below; (d) Ensuring that their domestic law provides at least the same level of protection for victims as required by their international obligations. Scope of the obligation The obligation to respect, ensure respect for and implement international human rights law and international humanitarian law as provided for under the respective bodies of law, includes, inter alia, the duty to: (a) Take appropriate legislative and administrative and other appropriate measures to prevent violations; (b) Investigate violations effectively, promptly, thoroughly and impartially and, where appropriate, take action against those allegedly responsible in accordance with domestic and international law; (c) Provide those who claim to be victims of a human rights or humanitarian law violation with equal and effective access to justice, as described below, irrespective of who may ultimately be the bearer of responsibility for the violation; and (d) Provide effective remedies to victims, including reparation, as described below. Gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law that constitute crimes under international law In cases of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law constituting crimes under international law, States have the duty to investigate and, if there is sufficient evidence, the duty to submit to prosecution the person allegedly responsible for the violations and, if found guilty, the duty to punish her or him. Moreover, in these cases, States should, in accordance with international law, cooperate with one another and assist international judicial organs competent in the investigation and prosecution of these violations. To that end, where so provided in an applicable treaty or under other international law obligations, States shall incorporate or otherwise implement within their domestic law appropriate provisions for universal jurisdiction. Moreover, where it is so provided for in an applicable treaty or other international legal obligations, States should facilitate extradition or surrender offenders to other States and to appropriate international judicial bodies and provide judicial assistance and other forms of cooperation in the pursuit of international justice, including assistance to, and protection of, victims and witnesses, consistent with international human rights legal standards and subject to international legal requirements such as those relating to the prohibition of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Statutes of limitations Where so provided for in an applicable treaty or contained in other international legal obligations, statutes of limitations shall not apply to gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law which constitute crimes under international law. Domestic statutes of limitations for other types of violations that do not constitute crimes under international law, including those time limitations applicable to civil claims and other procedures, should not be unduly restrictive. Victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law For purposes of the present document, victims are persons who individually or collectively suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their fundamental rights, through acts or omissions that constitute gross violations of international human rights law, or serious violations of international humanitarian law. Where appropriate, and in accordance with domestic law, the term “victim” also includes the immediate family or dependants of the direct victim and persons who have suffered harm in intervening to assist victims in distress or to prevent victimization. A person shall be considered a victim regardless of whether the perpetrator of the violation is identified, apprehended, prosecuted, or convicted and regardless of the familial relationship between the perpetrator and the victim. Treatment of victims Victims should be treated with humanity and respect for their dignity and human rights, and appropriate measures should be taken to ensure their safety, physical and psychological well-being and privacy, as well as those of their families. The State should ensure that its domestic laws, to the extent possible, provide that a victim who has suffered violence or trauma should benefit from special consideration and care to avoid his or her re-traumatization in the course of legal and administrative procedures designed to provide justice and reparation. Victims' right to remedies Remedies for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law include the victim's right to the following as provided for under international law: (a) Equal and effective access to justice; (b) Adequate, effective and prompt reparation for harm suffered; (c) Access to relevant information concerning violations and reparation mechanisms. Access to justice A victim of a gross violation of international human rights law or of a serious violation of international humanitarian law shall have equal access to an effective judicial remedy as provided for under international law. Other remedies available to the victim include access to administrative and other bodies, as well as mechanisms, modalities and proceedings conducted in accordance with domestic law. Obligations arising under international law to secure the right to access justice and fair and impartial proceedings shall be reflected in domestic laws. To that end, States should: (a) Disseminate, through public and private mechanisms, information about all available remedies for gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law; (b) Take measures to minimize the inconvenience to victims and their representatives, protect against unlawful interference with their privacy as appropriate and ensure their safety from intimidation and retaliation, as well as that of their families and witnesses, before, during and after judicial, administrative, or other proceedings that affect the interests of victims; (c) Provide proper assistance to victims seeking access to justice; (d) Make available all appropriate legal, diplomatic and consular means to ensure that victims can exercise their rights to remedy for gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law. In addition to individual access to justice, States should endeavour to develop procedures to allow groups of victims to present claims for reparation and to receive reparation, as appropriate. An adequate, effective and prompt remedy for gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law should include all available and appropriate international processes in which a person may have legal standing and should be without prejudice to any other domestic remedies. Reparation for harm suffered Adequate, effective and prompt reparation is intended to promote justice by redressing gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law. Reparation should be proportional to the gravity of the violations and the harm suffered. In accordance with its domestic laws and international legal obligations, a State shall provide reparation to victims for acts or omissions which can be attributed to the State and constitute gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law. In cases where a person, a legal person, or other entity is found liable for reparation to a victim, such party should provide reparation to the victim or compensate the State if the State has already provided reparation to the victim. States should endeavour to establish national programmes for reparation and other assistance to victims in the event that the party liable for the harm suffered is unable or unwilling to meet their obligations. States shall, with respect to claims by victims, enforce domestic judgements for reparation against individuals or entities liable for the harm suffered and endeavour to enforce valid foreign legal judgements for reparation in accordance with domestic law and international legal obligations. To that end, States should provide under their domestic laws effective mechanisms for the enforcement of reparation judgements. In accordance with domestic law and international law, and taking account of individual circumstances, victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law should, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and the circumstances of each case, be provided with full and effective reparation, as laid out in principles 19 to 23, which include the following forms: restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. Restitution should, whenever possible, restore the victim to the original situation before the gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law occurred. Restitution includes, as appropriate: restoration of liberty, enjoyment of human rights, identity, family life and citizenship, return to one's place of residence, restoration of employment and return of property. Compensation should be provided for any economically assessable damage, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and the circumstances of each case, resulting from gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law, such as: (a) Physical or mental harm; (b) Lost opportunities, including employment, education and social benefits; (c) Material damages and loss of earnings, including loss of earning potential; (d) Moral damage; (e) Costs required for legal or expert assistance, medicine and medical services, and psychological and social services. Rehabilitation should include medical and psychological care as well as legal and social services. Satisfaction should include, where applicable, any or all of the following: (a) Effective measures aimed at the cessation of continuing violations; (b) Verification of the facts and full and public disclosure of the truth to the extent that such disclosure does not cause further harm or threaten the safety and interests of the victim, the victim's relatives, witnesses, or persons who have intervened to assist the victim or prevent the occurrence of further violations; (c) The search for the whereabouts of the disappeared, for the identities of the children abducted, and for the bodies of those killed, and assistance in the recovery, identification and reburial of the bodies in accordance with the expressed or presumed wish of the victims, or the cultural practices of the families and communities; (d) An official declaration or a judicial decision restoring the dignity, the reputation and the rights of the victim and of persons closely connected with the victim; (e) Public apology, including acknowledgement of the facts and acceptance of responsibility; (f) Judicial and administrative sanctions against persons liable for the violations; (g) Commemorations and tributes to the victims; (h) Inclusion of an accurate account of the violations that occurred in international human rights law and international humanitarian law training and in educational material at all levels. Guarantees of non-repetition should include, where applicable, any or all of the following measures, which will also contribute to prevention: (a) Ensuring effective civilian control of military and security forces; (b) Ensuring that all civilian and military proceedings abide by international standards of due process, fairness and impartiality; (c) Strengthening the independence of the judiciary; (d) Protecting persons in the legal, medical and health-care professions, the media and other related professions, and human rights defenders; (e) Providing, on a priority and continued basis, human rights and international humanitarian law education to all sectors of society and training for law enforcement officials as well as military and security forces; (f) Promoting the observance of codes of conduct and ethical norms, in particular international standards, by public servants, including law enforcement, correctional, media, medical, psychological, social service and military personnel, as well as by economic enterprises; (g) Promoting mechanisms for preventing and monitoring social conflicts and their resolution; (h) Reviewing and reforming laws contributing to or allowing gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Access to relevant information concerning violations and reparation mechanisms States should develop means of informing the general public and, in particular, victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law of the rights and remedies addressed by these Basic Principles and Guidelines and of all available legal, medical, psychological, social, administrative and all other services to which victims may have a right of access. Moreover, victims and their representatives should be entitled to seek and obtain information on the causes leading to their victimization and on the causes and conditions pertaining to the gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law and to learn the truth in regard to these violations. Non-discrimination The application and interpretation of these Basic Principles and Guidelines must be consistent with international human rights law and international humanitarian law and be without any discrimination of any kind or ground, without exception. Non-derogation Nothing in these Basic Principles and Guidelines shall be construed as restricting or derogating from any rights or obligations arising under domestic and international law. In particular, it is understood that the present Basic Principles and Guidelines are without prejudice to the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. It is further understood that these Basic Principles and Guidelines are without prejudice to special rules of international law. Rights of others Nothing in this document is to be construed as derogating from internationally or nationally protected rights of others, in particular the right of an accused person to benefit from applicable standards of due process. 2005/31 Mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system The Economic and Social Council, Reaffirming its agreed conclusions 1997/2 on mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations system, and recalling its resolutions 2001/41 of 7 July 2001, 2002/23 of 24 July 2002, 2003/49 of 24 July 2003 and 2004/4 of 7 July 2004, Reaffirming also that gender mainstreaming is a globally accepted strategy for promoting gender equality and constitutes a critical strategy in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, Underlining the catalytic role played by the Commission on the Status of Women, as well as the important role played by the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, in promoting and monitoring gender mainstreaming within the United Nations system, Welcoming the declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women at its forty-ninth session, Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on follow-up to and progress in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, especially in mainstreaming a gender perspective in entities of the United Nations system; Notes with appreciation the progress and continued efforts by United Nations entities to address gaps between policy and practice in mainstreaming a gender perspective in their respective fields of work; Expresses concern at the remaining gaps between policy and practice, with particular challenges relating to inadequate institutional mechanisms, including in the area of data collection, accountability, monitoring, reporting and training, as well as inadequate resource allocation; Calls upon all entities of the United Nations system, including United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, to intensify efforts to address the challenges to the integration of gender perspectives in policies and programmes, including by: (a) Developing action plans, where these do not yet exist, with clear guidelines on the practical implementation of gender mainstreaming in policies and programmes; (b) Ensuring that action plans include timelines and specific provisions on institutional mechanisms at both headquarters and field offices and that they are fully coordinated with overall organizational goals and strategies; (c) Fully incorporating a gender perspective in programme budgets and multi-year funding frameworks and into all results-based budgeting processes; (d) Ensuring continuous awareness raising and training on gender issues for all staff, including by integrating a gender perspective into all training programmes, as well as assessing the impact of the gender component of the existing training programmes to improve their effectiveness; (e) Building the capacity of staff to undertake gender analysis and requiring staff to apply gender analysis to both policy formulation and programmatic work; (f) Ensuring full and strong commitment by senior management officials to gender mainstreaming and its implementation in policies, programmes and projects; (g) Strengthening accountability systems for all staff for gender mainstreaming, including through performance appraisals; (h) Incorporating a gender perspective into operational mechanisms, in accordance with the national development strategies, including common country assessments and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework, poverty reduction strategy papers and reporting and implementation frameworks, such as those relating to the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration; (i) Continuing to support Governments and to work with civil society in their efforts to implement the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly; (j) Further developing and institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation tools and gender impact analysis methodologies, promoting the collection, compilation and analysis of sex-disaggregated data and ensuring the use by them of such data; (k) Promoting the mainstreaming of gender perspectives into key macroeconomic and social development policies and national development programmes; Takes note of the work already undertaken to implement General Assembly resolution 59/164 of 20 December 2004 on the improvement of the status of women in the United Nations system, and urges continued efforts towards its full implementation; Encourages the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and the Division for the Advancement of Women as well as other relevant United Nations entities to maintain their efforts to raise awareness of gender issues across the United Nations system; Recommends that all entities of the United Nations system continue to promote cooperation, coordination and the sharing of methodologies and good practices, including through the development of tools and effective processes for monitoring and evaluation within the United Nations, in the implementation of its agreed conclusions 1997/2, in particular through the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality, and recommends further that all inter-agency mechanisms pay attention to gender perspectives in their work; Also recommends that the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality continues to provide practical support to its members in gender mainstreaming and to report regularly to the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination through its High-Level Committee on Programme and its High-Level Committee on Management in order to facilitate the incorporation of gender mainstreaming perspectives into their work; Calls upon the United Nations system to strengthen inter-agency and country team collaboration on gender mainstreaming, including through the creation or expansion of electronic knowledge networks on gender mainstreaming; Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2006 on progress in mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes in the United Nations, with a focus on training activities. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/32 Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 2002/1 of 15 July 2002, 2003/1 of 31 January 2003, 2003/53 of 24 July 2003, 2004/1 of 3 May 2004, 2004/59 and 2004/61 of 23 July 2004 and 2005/2 of 1 March 2005 and its decision 2002/304 of 25 October 2002, Welcoming the efforts of Guinea-Bissau, in particular the successful holding of the first round of Presidential elections on 19 June 2005, looking forward to the continuing peaceful electoral process leading up to and including the second round of elections scheduled for 24 July 2005 and encouraging its efforts to consolidate democracy and further deepen transparency and good governance, Recognizing the link between political stability and economic and social development in Guinea-Bissau, Welcoming the positive and constructive role of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau in supporting the country in pursuing its pressing short and long-term development objectives, Also welcoming the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy for Guinea-Bissau to assist all relevant actors in Guinea-Bissau to reach a peaceful conclusion of the transitional process in the country, Recognizing the role played by partners of Guinea-Bissau in helping the country to return to constitutional order, Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau; Expresses appreciation to those countries that have provided technical and financial support for the holding of the Presidential elections; Also expresses appreciation to those countries and organizations that have shown flexibility in providing budget support to Guinea-Bissau in meeting its emergency needs, including through the Emergency Economic Management Fund, requests donors to continue to provide budgetary support to assist Guinea-Bissau in meeting the effective functioning of the State, and welcomes in this regard, the decision of the United Nations Development Programme to extend the duration of the Emergency Economic Management Fund until the end of 2005; Welcomes the recommendation of the Security Council, in its resolution 1580 (2004) of 22 December 2004, to establish a voluntary emergency fund, to be administered by the United Nations Development Programme, to support efforts related to the planning and implementation of military reform, and expresses appreciation to those countries and organizations that have provided technical and financial support, including through the United Nations Development Programme, for the definition and implementation of military sector reform; Also welcomes the plan by the United Nations country team to design a transitional strategy for the country, and calls on the United Nations system, and requests all other partners, to contribute to the implementation of the quick-impact microprojects envisaged therein; Calls on all participants at the meeting of partners of Guinea-Bissau, held in Lisbon on 11 February 2005, to ensure the implementation of its conclusions, including the fulfilment of their commitments, and to strongly support the donor round-table conference scheduled to be held in the last quarter of 2005, and encourages in this regard all traditional and non-traditional partners, in preparation for the conference, to identify lead donors for various sectors in an effort to coordinate assistance; Calls on the United Nations system, in collaboration with the Bretton Woods institutions and other multilateral and bilateral donors, to assist Guinea-Bissau in designing and implementing a comprehensive technical assistance plan that focuses on national priority areas, in particular on the public administration, health and education sectors; Encourages the international community to find ways to support Guinea-Bissau in strengthening civil society organizations; Urges the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the Common Fund for Commodities, where appropriate, and other relevant agencies to assist Guinea-Bissau in formulating and implementing a comprehensive economic diversification strategy; Notes that post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation, including the experience of the ad hoc advisory groups, are among the subjects being discussed in ongoing talks on United Nations reform; Recognizes the importance of avoiding overlap and duplication with respect to existing mechanisms; Decides, in the light of the current situation in Guinea-Bissau, to extend the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group until the substantive session of 2006, with the understanding that the decision on whether to renew its mandate will be based on the Council's consideration of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Guinea-Bissau, which should be submitted no later than six weeks before the start of the 2006 substantive session, and the situation prevailing in Guinea-Bissau at that time. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/33 Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 2002/1 of 15 July 2002, 2003/16 of 21 July 2003, 2003/50 of 24 July 2003, 2004/2 of 3 May 2004, 2004/59 and 2004/60 of 23 July 2004 and 2005/1 of 1 March 2005 and its decision 2003/311 of 22 August 2003, Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi; Expresses appreciation to the Government and people of Burundi for the successful holding of the communal and legislative elections, and stresses the importance of concluding the transition period and further consolidating peace; Commends those donors that have provided support to Burundi, calls for increased disbursement of funds committed at the Forum of Development Partners, held in Brussels on 13 and 14 January 2004, and encourages Member States to provide funds for the United Nations Consolidated Appeal for 2005; Encourages the authorities of Burundi to finalize its poverty reduction strategy paper; Notes the willingness of the authorities of Burundi to convene a further donor round table, and encourages the country's development partners to support the new Government with commensurate means and resources in the post-transition phase and through participation in the round table; Requests the Ad Hoc Advisory Group to continue to follow closely the humanitarian situation and economic and social conditions, to examine the transition from relief to development in Burundi and the way in which the international community supports the process and to report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session in 2006; Notes that the post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation, including the experience of the ad hoc advisory groups, are among the subjects being discussed in ongoing talks on United Nations reform; Recognizes the importance of avoiding overlap and duplication with respect to existing mechanisms; Decides that the work of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Burundi will be reviewed at the substantive session of 2006, with a view to considering whether to continue the mandate of the Advisory Group based on the Council's consideration of its report, which should be submitted no later than six weeks before the start of the substantive session of 2006, and of the situation prevailing in Burundi at that time. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/34 Europe-Africa fixed link through the Strait of Gibraltar The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 1982/57 of 30 July 1982, 1983/62 of 29 July 1983, 1984/75 of 27 July 1984, 1985/70 of 26 July 1985, 1987/69 of 8 July 1987, 1989/119 of 28 July 1989, 1991/74 of 26 July 1991, 1993/60 of 30 July 1993, 1995/48 of 27 July 1995, 1997/48 of 22 July 1997, 1999/37 of 28 July 1999, 2001/29 of 26 July 2001 and 2003/52 of 24 July 2003, Referring to resolution 912 (1989) adopted on 1 February 1989 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe regarding measures to encourage the construction of a major traffic artery in south-western Europe and to study thoroughly the possibility of a fixed link through the Strait of Gibraltar, Referring also to the Barcelona Declaration adopted at the Euro-Mediterranean Conference, held in Barcelona, Spain, in November 1995, and to the work programme annexed thereto, aimed at connecting the Mediterranean transport networks to the trans-European transport network so as to ensure their interoperability, Referring further to the Lisbon Declaration adopted at the Conference on Transport in the Mediterranean, held in Lisbon in January 1997, and to the conclusions of the Pan-European Transport Conference, held in Helsinki in June 1997, on corridors in the Mediterranean incorporating the fixed link, Taking note of the follow-up report prepared jointly by the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Africa pursuant to resolution 2003/52 of 24 July 2003, Taking note also of the conclusions of the second and third meetings of the Western Mediterranean Transport Group, held, respectively, in Rabat in September 1995 and in Madrid in January 1997, and of the conclusions of the meeting held in Brussels in 2000 by the Euro-Mediterranean Forum on Transport, which constitutes a framework for coordination among the countries of the Mediterranean basin for the development of integrated transport networks, Taking note further of the conclusions of the studies launched by the European Commission (INFRAMED, MED TEN-T and DESTIN) for the development of an integrated transport network in the Mediterranean basin, Taking note of the progress of the high-level committee on extension of the main trans-European transport arteries to neighbouring countries and regions, set up by the European Commission, which considers the France-Iberian peninsula-Morocco artery to be a corridor constituting a continuation of the trans-European network, Welcomes the cooperation on the project for the link through the Strait of Gibraltar between the Economic Commission for Africa, the Economic Commission for Europe, the Governments of Morocco and Spain and specialized international organizations; Also welcomes the progress made in deep-sea drilling project studies, and especially the work carried out, which have given a decisive impetus to geological and geotechnical explorations of undersea formations; Commends the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Africa for the work done in preparing the project follow-up report requested by the Council in its resolution 2003/52 of 24 July 2003; Notes with appreciation the holding, in Madrid in January 2005, by the International Tunnelling Association, under the aegis of the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Africa, of a seminar on soundings and treatments; Renews its invitation to the competent organizations of the United Nations system and to specialized governmental and non-governmental organizations to participate in the studies and work on the fixed link through the Strait of Gibraltar; Requests the Executive Secretaries of the Economic Commission for Africa and the Economic Commission for Europe to continue to take an active part in the follow-up to the project and to report to the Council at its substantive session of 2007; Requests the Secretary-General to provide formal support and, to the extent that priorities permit, the resources necessary, within the regular budget, to the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic Commission for Africa, to enable them to carry out the activities mentioned above. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/35 Midterm review concerning the functioning of the conference structure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolutions 143 (XXX) of 5 April 1974, 210 (XXXVI) of 29 March 1980, 262 (XLIII) of 30 April 1987, 47/3 of 10 April 1991, 48/2 of 23 April 1992, 51/3 of 1 May 1995 and 53/1 of 30 April 1997 on the conference structure of the Commission, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 50/227 of 24 May 1996 on further measures for the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields, Recalling further General Assembly resolution 40/243 of 18 December 1985 on the pattern of conferences, in which the Assembly decided that United Nations bodies may hold sessions away from their established headquarters when a Government issuing an invitation for a session to be held within its territory has agreed to defray, after consultation with the Secretary-General as to their nature and possible extent, the actual additional costs directly or indirectly involved, Recalling Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 58/1 of 22 May 2002 on restructuring the conference structure of the Commission, in particular paragraph 6 thereof on a midterm review to be conducted during the sixty-first session, Recalling also Commission resolution 60/6 of 28 April 2004 on the revitalization of the United Nations ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre, in particular paragraphs 1 and 2 thereof regarding the terms of reference of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries and the establishment of an Advisory Council for the Centre, Recalling further Commission resolution 60/5 of 28 April 2004 on the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific, by which it revised the statute of the Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific and changed the name of the Centre, Taking into account Commission resolutions 61/2 of 18 May 2005 on the statute of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, 61/3 of 18 May 2005 on the statute of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, 61/4 of 18 May 2005 on the statute of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology, in which it revised the statutes of the respective regional institutions, and resolution 61/6 of 18 May 2005 on the establishment of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development as a follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society (all of the above-mentioned institutions being collectively referred to hereunder as “the regional institutions”), Recognizing that a complete meeting cycle of the thirteen subsidiary bodies of the Commission was concluded at the end of 2004, which makes it possible at the current session of the Commission to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the new conference structure established in accordance with Commission resolution 58/1, while bearing in mind that the new conference structure came into effect only in 2003, Recognizing also the need for the reporting process under the conference structure to be more streamlined so that the Commission can take timely action on the reports of its subsidiary bodies, Taking note of the evaluations and recommendations of members and associate members concerning the outcomes of sessions of the Commission and its subsidiary bodies held under the new conference structure, which provide a useful basis for the midterm review, Reiterating its support for keeping the work of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific focused on three key thematic areas, poverty reduction, managing globalization and addressing emerging social issues, Aware of the need for the conference structure to be kept in line with the process of overall reform of the United Nations, Notes with appreciation that, since the adoption of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 58/1 on 22 May 2002, a new conference structure has been established in accordance with the pattern set out in paragraph 1 of that resolution; Commends the Executive Secretary of the Commission for his efforts to prepare and organize the conferences and meetings under the new structure in an effective and efficient way and to make them correspond more fully to the three key thematic areas, poverty reduction, managing globalization and addressing emerging social issues; Also commends the Executive Secretary for having completed the reorganization of the secretariat as requested in paragraph 2 of Commission resolution 58/1; Decides that, as a result of the midterm review of the functioning of the conference structure, the following points should override or be integrated into the present pattern of its conference structure, as prescribed in paragraph 1 of Commission resolution 58/1 and, where relevant, the respective terms of reference annexed to the resolution: (a) Subsidiary structure The thematic committees shall be retained to keep the work of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific focused on three key thematic areas: poverty reduction; managing globalization; and addressing emerging social issues. The work of the subcommittees shall be subsumed under the respective thematic committees beginning in 2006, as a means of strengthening their integration within their respective thematic contexts; To ensure that the key sectoral issues formerly dealt with by the subcommittees can be addressed more effectively within a thematic framework, the format of the sessions of the thematic committees shall include segments as follows: (i) Committee on Poverty Reduction: Poverty reduction practices and statistics; (ii) Committee on Managing Globalization: Part I: International trade and investment, and transport infrastructure and facilitation and tourism; Part II: Information, communication and space technology, and environment and sustainable development; (iii) Committee on Emerging Social Issues: socially vulnerable groups, and health and development; To ensure timely review of emerging issues as well as reporting to the Commission, the thematic committees, including parts I and II of the Committee on Managing Globalization, shall meet separately and annually after the session of the Commission for a maximum duration of five days for each session, with the duration depending on the agenda of the committee in question; The segments under three of the above committees shall be convened either consecutively or simultaneously. The segments under one of the above committees shall be convened consecutively. The secretariat will provide interpretation services in the working languages of the Commission; (b) Special bodies The Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries shall hold its sessions prior to the sessions of the Commission, in alternate years with the Special Body on Least Developed and Landlocked Developing Countries. The maximum duration of the sessions of each of the special bodies will be two days; The Advisory Council of the United Nations ESCAP Pacific Operations Centre, comprising representatives of the Governments of Pacific island developing countries and territories, and also of Australia and New Zealand, shall meet biennially for a maximum duration of one day at the venue of the relevant session of the Special Body on Pacific Island Developing Countries to provide advice on the Centre's work programme priorities; (c) Regional institutions of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific The regional institutions of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall continue to function under the terms of reference stipulated in the relevant resolutions, namely, resolutions 60/5, 61/2, 61/3, 61/4 and 61/6; The programmes of work of the regional institutions shall be aligned with the thematic priorities of the Commission under the strategic framework; Requests the Executive Secretary to ensure that the thematic sessions of the committees are conducted in a results-oriented manner that yields concrete outcomes aimed at strengthening the focus and impact of the work of the Commission; Also requests the Executive Secretary, in accordance with paragraph 6 of Commission resolution 58/1, to report to the Commission at subsequent sessions on the implementation of the present resolution, focusing in particular on whether the conference structure has served the purpose of improving efficiency and attracting higher and wider representation from members and associate members, which would serve in particular as the basis for the comprehensive review to be conducted during the sixty-third session concerning the functioning of the conference structure; Decides to review the conference structure of the Commission, including its thematic and sectoral priorities and subsidiary structure, and to consider the possibility of further revising its structure at its sixty-third session. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/36 Statute of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolutions 50/5 of 13 April 1994 and 51/1 of 1 May 1995 on the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, Recalling also the host country agreement signed between the Government of Japan and the United Nations on 14 April 1995, Noting with appreciation the significant financial and in kind resources that have been provided to the Institute, since its establishment, by the Government of Japan, Taking into account the recommendations in the evaluation of the Institute carried out in 2003 and the need to integrate the work of the Institute into the programme of work of the Commission, Taking note of the report on the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific to the Commission at the current session, Approves the revised statute as adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 Annex Statute of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific Establishment The Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “the Institute”), established in May 1970 as the Asian Statistical Institute, and accorded the legal status of a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “ESCAP” or “the Commission”) pursuant to Commission resolutions 50/5 of 13 April 1994 and 51/1 of 1 May 1995, shall continue in existence under the terms of the present statute. Participation in the training and other activities of the Institute is open to all members and associate members of the Commission. The Institute has the status of a subsidiary body of ESCAP. Objectives The objectives of the Institute are to strengthen, through practically oriented training of official statisticians, the capability of the developing members and associate members and economies in transition of the region to collect, analyse and disseminate statistics as well as to produce timely and high-quality statistics that can be utilized for economic and social development planning, and to assist those developing members and associate members and economies in transition in establishing or strengthening their statistical training capability and other related activities. Functions The Institute shall achieve the above objectives by undertaking such functions as: (a) Training of official statisticians, utilizing existing centres and institutions for training available in member States; (b) Networking and partnership with other international organizations and key stakeholders; (c) Dissemination of information. Status and organization The Institute shall have a Governing Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), a Director and staff. The Commission shall keep separate accounts for the Institute. The Institute is located in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. The activities of the Institute shall be in line with relevant policy decisions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission. The Institute shall be subject to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the applicable administrative instructions. Governing Council The Governing Council shall consist of a representative designated by the Government of Japan and eight representatives nominated by other members and associate members of ESCAP elected by the Commission. The members and associate members elected by the Commission shall be elected for a period of five years but shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP or his/her representative shall attend the meetings of the Council. The Director of the Institute shall serve as Secretary of the Council. Representatives of (a) States that are not members of the Council, (b) United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies and (c) such other organizations as the Council may deem appropriate, as well as experts in fields of interest to the Council, may be invited by the Executive Secretary to attend meetings of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once a year and shall adopt its own rules of procedure. Sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, who may propose special sessions of the Council at his/her own initiative and shall convene special sessions at the request of a majority of the Council members. A quorum for meetings of the Council shall be a majority of its members. The nine representatives constituting the Council under paragraph 9 of the present statute shall have one vote each. Decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be made by consensus or, when that is not possible, by a majority of the members present and voting. The Council shall, at each regular session, elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, who shall hold office until the next regular session of the Council. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If the Chairperson is unable to serve for the full term for which he/she has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson for the remainder of that term. The Council shall review the administrative and financial status of the Institute and the implementation of its programme of work. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP shall submit an annual report, as adopted by the Council, to the Commission at its annual sessions. The Council shall review and endorse annual and long-term workplans consistent with the programme of work. Director and staff The Institute shall have a Director and staff, who shall be ESCAP staff members appointed under the appropriate United Nations regulations, rules and administrative instructions. The Council will be invited to nominate candidates for the position of Director, once the vacancy is announced, and provide advice, as appropriate. Other members and associate members of the Commission may also submit nominations for the post. The Director and Professional staff shall be appointed for a total term, in principle, not exceeding five years. All appointments shall be for a fixed duration and shall be limited to service with the Institute. The Director shall be responsible to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP for the administration of the Institute, the preparation of annual and long-term workplans and the implementation of the programme of work. Resources of the Institute All members and associate members of ESCAP should be encouraged to make a regular annual contribution to the operations of the Institute. The United Nations shall administer a joint contribution trust fund for the Institute, as referred to in paragraph 6, in which these contributions shall be deposited and utilized solely for the activities of the Institute, subject to paragraph 21 of the present statute. United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and other entities should also be encouraged to make voluntary contributions to the operations of the Institute. The United Nations shall maintain separate trust funds for voluntary contributions for technical cooperation projects or other extraordinary voluntary contributions for activities of the Institute. The financial resources of the Institute shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Amendments Amendments to the present statute shall be adopted by means of a resolution of the Commission. Matters not covered by the present statute In the event of any procedural matter arising that is not covered by the present statute or rules of procedure adopted by the Governing Council under paragraph 12 of the present statute, the pertinent part of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall apply. Entry into force The present statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Commission. 2005/37 Statute of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 58/5 of 22 May 2002 on the establishment of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, Recalling also the agreement between the Government of China and the United Nations regarding the headquarters of the Centre, signed on 19 November 2003, Noting with appreciation the significant financial resources and facilities that have been provided to the Centre, since its establishment, by the Government of China, Approves the revised statute of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, as adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution; Requests the Executive Secretary to seek regular budget resources for the Centre, including posts, within the proposed programme budget of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for the biennium 2006-2007, to strengthen the research and analytical capacity of the Centre, while recognizing the primary role of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee in this regard, and also recognizing the principle that the technical assistance activities of the Centre should be funded by voluntary contributions; Also requests the Executive Secretary to seek additional voluntary resources to strengthen the financial stability of the Centre. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 Annex Statute of the United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery Establishment The Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery, established on 22 May 2002 pursuant to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 58/5 of the same date, shall continue in existence under the title “United Nations Asian and Pacific Centre for Agricultural Engineering and Machinery” (hereinafter referred to as “UNAPCAEM” or “the Centre”) and under the terms of the present statute. The membership of the Centre shall be identical to the membership of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “ESCAP” or “the Commission”). The Centre has the status of a subsidiary body of ESCAP. Objectives The objectives of the Centre are to enhance technical cooperation among the members and associate members of ESCAP as well as other interested States Members of the United Nations, through extensive exchange of information and sharing of commercially successful machinery and technology, and to promote research and development and extension of agricultural engineering including machinery and rural industry for poverty reduction in the region. Functions The Centre shall achieve the above objectives by undertaking such functions as: (a) Assistance in the improvement of agricultural engineering, mechanization, automation, biotechnology and genetic engineering; (b) Enhancement of farm mechanization technologies in addressing issues related to subsistence farming for increased food security and poverty reduction and promoting agro-based small and medium-sized enterprise development and commercial farming to seize opportunities for increased market access and agro-food trade; (c) A focus on an agro-based enterprise cluster concept and enterprise development activities to enhance the capabilities of members in identifying potential agricultural commodities in their respective countries on a clustering basis; (d) Regional cooperation in technology transfer through networking of focal point national institutes in the Centre member countries and other relevant institutions; (e) Setting up an interactive Internet website to allow members full access to information and technology databases, including the sharing of expert systems and decision support systems in financial management of small and medium-sized enterprises; (f) Promotion of the technology transfer process from research and development institutes to the agricultural and farm machinery extension systems in member countries for poverty reduction; (g) Dissemination and exchange of commercially successful machinery and drawings of appropriate tools, machines and equipment; (h) Training workshops and advisory services on food safety standards and sanitary and phytosanitary issues under the World Trade Organization agricultural trade mandate; (i) Tapping the resources of developed countries in building the capacity of member countries. Status and organization The Centre shall have a Governing Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), a Director, a Deputy Director, subject to the availability of funds, other staff and a Technical Committee. The Centre is located in Beijing. The activities of the Centre shall be in line with relevant policy decisions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission. The Centre shall be subject to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the applicable administrative instructions. Governing Council The Governing Council shall consist of a representative designated by the Government of China and eight representatives nominated by other members and associate members of ESCAP elected by the Commission. The members and associate members elected by the Commission shall be elected for a period of three years but shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative shall attend the meetings of the Council. The Director of the Centre shall serve as Secretary of the Council. Representatives of (a) States that are not members of the Council, (b) United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies and (c) such other organizations as the Council may deem appropriate, as well as experts in fields of interest to the Council, may be invited by the Executive Secretary to attend meetings of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once a year and may adopt its own rules of procedure. Sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, who may propose special sessions of the Council at his/her own initiative and shall convene such special sessions at the request of a majority of Council members. A quorum for meetings of the Council shall be a majority of its members. Each member of the Council shall have one vote. Decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be made by consensus or, when that is not possible, by a majority of the members present and voting. The Council shall, at each regular session, elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. They shall hold office until the next regular session of the Council. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If the Chairperson is unable to serve for the full term for which he/she has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson for the remainder of that term. The Council shall review the administrative and financial status of the Centre and the implementation of its programme of work. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP shall submit an annual report, as adopted by the Council, to the Commission at its annual sessions. Director and staff The Centre shall have a Director, a Deputy Director subject to availability of funds, and staff, who shall be ESCAP staff members appointed under the appropriate United Nations regulations, rules and administrative instructions. The Director shall be appointed in a manner consistent with United Nations regulations and rules. The Council will be invited to nominate candidates for the position of Director, once the vacancy is announced, and provide advice, as appropriate. Other members and associate members of the Commission may also submit nominations for the post. The Director shall be responsible to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP for the administration of the Centre and the implementation of its programme of work. Technical Committee The Centre shall have a Technical Committee consisting of experts from members and associate members of ESCAP and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Members and associate members of ESCAP will be invited to propose candidates for the Technical Committee. Members of the Technical Committee shall be appointed by the Director in consultation with the Executive Secretary. The Director may also invite governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental institutions to propose experts who would best contribute to Technical Committee discussions on a specific topic. The Technical Committee shall be responsible for advising the Director on the formulation of the programme of work and on other technical matters concerning the operations of the Centre. Reports of meetings of the Technical Committee, with the Director's observations thereon, shall be submitted to the Council at its next session. The Chairperson of the Technical Committee shall be elected by the Committee itself at each meeting. Resources of the Centre All members and associate members of ESCAP should be encouraged to make a regular annual contribution to the operations of the Centre. The United Nations shall administer a joint contribution trust fund in which those contributions shall be deposited. The Centre will endeavour to mobilize sufficient resources to support its activities. The United Nations shall maintain separate trust funds for voluntary contributions for technical cooperation projects or other extraordinary voluntary contributions for activities of the Centre. The financial resources of the Centre shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Amendments Amendments to the present statute shall be adopted by the Commission. Matters not covered by the present statute In the event of any procedural matter arising that is not covered by the present statute or rules of procedure adopted by the Governing Council under paragraph 12 of the present statute, the pertinent part of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall apply. Entry into force The present statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Commission. Members and associate members elected to the Governing Board of the Centre at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission will serve as members of the Governing Council of the Centre until the sixty-second session of the Commission, in 2006. 2005/38 Statute of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 243 (XLI) of 29 March 1985 on the statute of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology, Recalling also the agreement regarding the headquarters of the Centre signed between the Government of India and the United Nations on 11 April 1994, Noting with appreciation the significant financial resources and facilities that have been provided to the Centre since its establishment by the Government of India, Approves the revised statute of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology, as adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution; Requests the Executive Secretary to seek regular budget resources for the Centre, including posts, within the proposed programme budget of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific for the biennium 2006-2007, to strengthen the research and analytical capacity of the Centre, while recognizing the primary role of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee in this regard, and recognizing also the principle that the technical assistance activities of the Centre should be funded by voluntary contributions; Also requests the Executive Secretary to seek additional voluntary resources to strengthen the financial stability of the Centre. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 Annex Statute of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology Establishment The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (hereinafter referred to as “the Centre” or “APCTT”), established on 16 July 1977 pursuant to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolutions 159 (XXXI) of 6 March 1975 and 164 (XXXII) of 31 March 1976, shall continue in existence under the terms of the present statute. The membership of the Centre is identical to the membership of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “ESCAP” or “the Commission”). The Centre has the status of a subsidiary body of ESCAP. Objectives The objectives of the Centre are to assist the members and associate members of ESCAP through strengthening their capabilities to develop and manage national innovation systems; develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology; improve the terms of transfer of technology; and identify and promote the development and transfer of technologies relevant to the region. Functions The Centre shall achieve the above objective by undertaking such functions as: (a) Research and analysis of trends, conditions and opportunities; (b) Advisory services; (c) Dissemination of information and good practices; (d) Networking and partnership with international organizations and key stakeholders; (e) Training of national personnel, particularly national scientists and policy analysts. Status and organization The Centre shall have a Governing Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), a Director and staff, and a Technical Committee. The Centre is located in New Delhi. The activities of the Centre shall be in line with relevant policy decisions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission. The Centre shall be subject to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the applicable administrative instructions. Governing Council The Governing Council shall consist of a representative designated by the Government of India and no fewer than eight representatives nominated by other members and associate members of ESCAP elected by the Commission. The members and associate members elected by the Commission shall be elected for a period of three years but shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP or his/her representative shall attend the meetings of the Council. The Director of the Centre shall serve as Secretary of the Council. Representatives of (a) States that are not members of the Council, (b) United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies and (c) such other organizations as the Council may deem appropriate, as well as experts in fields of interest to the Council, may be invited by the Executive Secretary to attend meetings of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once a year and adopt its own rules of procedure. Sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, who may propose special sessions of the Council at his/her own initiative and shall convene such special sessions at the request of a majority of Council members. A quorum for meetings of the Council shall be a majority of its members. Each member of the Council shall have one vote. Decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be made by consensus or, when that is not possible, by a majority of the members present and voting. The Council shall, at each regular session, elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. They shall hold office until the next regular session of the Council. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If the Chairperson is unable to serve for the full term for which he/she has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson for the remainder of that term. The Council shall review the administrative and financial status of the Centre and the implementation of its programme of work. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP shall submit an annual report, as adopted by the Council, to the Commission at its annual sessions. Director and staff The Centre shall have a Director and staff, who shall be ESCAP staff members appointed under the appropriate United Nations regulations, rules and administrative instructions. The Director shall be appointed in a manner consistent with United Nations regulations and rules. The Council will be invited to nominate candidates for the position of Director, once the vacancy is announced, and provide advice, as appropriate. Other members and associate members of the Commission may also submit nominations for the post. The Director shall be responsible to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP for the administration of the Centre and the implementation of its programme of work. Technical Committee The Centre shall have a Technical Committee consisting of experts from members and associate members of ESCAP and from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Members of the Technical Committee shall be appointed by the Director in consultation with the Executive Secretary. The Technical Committee shall be responsible for advising the Director on the formulation of the programme of work and on other technical matters concerning the Centre's operations. Reports of meetings of the Technical Committee, and the Director's observations thereon, shall be submitted to the Council at its next session. The Chairperson of the Technical Committee shall be elected by the Committee itself at each meeting. Resources of the Centre All members and associate members of ESCAP should be encouraged to make a regular annual contribution to the operations of the Centre. The United Nations shall administer a joint contribution trust fund in which those contributions shall be deposited. The Centre will endeavour to mobilize sufficient resources to support its activities. The United Nations shall maintain separate trust funds for voluntary contributions for technical cooperation projects or other extraordinary voluntary contributions for activities of the Centre. The financial resources of the Centre shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Amendments Amendments to the present statute shall be adopted by the Commission. Matters not covered by the present statute In the event of any procedural matter arising that is not covered by the present statute or rules of procedure adopted by the Governing Council under paragraph 12 of the present statute, the pertinent part of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall apply. Entry into force The present statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Commission. 2005/39 Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific resolutions 174 (XXXIII) of 29 April 1977, 220 (XXXVIII) of 1 April 1982 and 60/5 of 28 April 2004 on the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific, Noting with appreciation the significant financial resources that have been provided to the Centre since its establishment by the Government of Japan and the facilities that have been provided by the Government of Indonesia, Approves the revised statute of the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty as adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, annexed to the present resolution, which includes revised functions that strengthen the role of the Centre in coordinating research and analysis on secondary crops; Requests the Executive Secretary to seek regular budget resources for the Centre, including posts, within the proposed programme budget of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific for the biennium 2006-2007, to strengthen the research and analytical capacity of the Centre, while recognizing the primary role of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee in this regard, and also recognizing the principle that the technical assistance activities of the Centre should be funded by voluntary contributions; Also requests the Executive Secretary to seek additional voluntary resources to strengthen the financial stability of the Centre. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 Annex Statute of the Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific Establishment The Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “CGPRT Centre”), established in April 1981 pursuant to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific resolution 174 (XXXIII) of 29 April 1977 and its statute adopted by Commission resolution 220 (XXXVIII) of 1 April 1982, shall continue in existence under the title Centre for Alleviation of Poverty through Secondary Crops Development in Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “CAPSA” or “the Centre”) and under the terms of the present statute. The membership of CAPSA is identical to the membership of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “ESCAP” or “the Commission”). The Centre has the status of a subsidiary body of ESCAP. Objective The objective of CAPSA is to promote a more supportive policy environment in member countries to enhance the living conditions of rural poor populations in disadvantaged areas, particularly those who rely on secondary crops agriculture for their livelihood, and to promote research and development related to agriculture to alleviate poverty in the Asian and Pacific region. Functions The Centre shall achieve the above objective by undertaking such functions as: (a) Coordination of socio-economic and policy research on secondary crops; (b) Networking and partnership with other international organizations and key stakeholders; (c) Research and analysis of trends and opportunities with regard to improving the economic status of rural populations; (d) Production, packaging and dissemination of information and successful practices on poverty reduction; (e) Dissemination of information and good practices on poverty reduction measures; (f) Training of national personnel, particularly national scientists and policy analysts; (g) Advisory services. Status and organization CAPSA shall have a Governing Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), a Director and staff and a Technical Committee. CAPSA is located in Bogor, Indonesia. The activities of CAPSA shall be in line with relevant policy decisions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission. CAPSA shall be subject to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the applicable administrative instructions. Governing Council The Governing Council shall consist of a representative nominated by the Government of Indonesia and eight representatives of members and associate members of ESCAP elected by the Commission. The members and associate members elected by the Commission shall be elected for a period of three years but shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative shall attend the meetings of the Council. The Director of the Centre shall serve as Secretary of the Council. Representatives of (a) States that are not members of the Council, (b) United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies and (c) such other organizations as the Council may deem appropriate, as well as experts in fields of interest to the Council, may be invited by the Executive Secretary to attend meetings of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once a year and may adopt its own rules of procedure. Sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, who may propose special sessions of the Council at his/her own initiative and shall convene such special sessions at the request of a majority of Council members. A quorum for meetings of the Council shall be a majority of its members. Each member of the Council shall have one vote. Decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be made by consensus or, when that is not possible, by a majority of the members present and voting. The Council shall, at each regular session, elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. They shall hold office until the next regular session of the Council. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If the Chairperson is unable to serve for the full term for which he/she has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson for the remainder of that term. The Council shall review the administrative and financial status of CAPSA and the implementation of its programme of work. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP shall submit an annual report, as adopted by the Council, to the Commission at its annual sessions. Director and staff CAPSA shall have a Director and staff, who shall be ESCAP staff members appointed under the appropriate United Nations regulations, rules and administrative instructions. The Director shall be appointed in a manner consistent with United Nations regulations and rules. The Council will be invited to nominate candidates for the position of Director, once the vacancy is announced, and provide advice, as appropriate. Other members and associate members of the Commission may also submit nominations for the post. The Director shall be responsible to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP for the administration of CAPSA and the implementation of its programme of work. Technical Committee CAPSA shall have a Technical Committee consisting of experts from members and associate members of ESCAP and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Members of the Technical Committee shall be appointed by the Director in consultation with the Executive Secretary. The Technical Committee shall be responsible for advising the Director on the formulation of the programme of work and on other technical matters concerning the operations of CAPSA. Reports of meetings of the Technical Committee, and the Director's observations with respect thereto, shall be submitted to the Council at its next session. The Chairperson of the Technical Committee shall be elected by the Committee itself at each meeting. Resources of the Centre All members and associate members of ESCAP should be urged to make a regular annual contribution to the operations of the Centre. The United Nations shall administer a joint contribution trust fund in which those contributions shall be deposited. The Centre will endeavour to mobilize sufficient resources to support its activities. The United Nations shall maintain separate trust funds for voluntary contributions for technical cooperation projects or other extraordinary voluntary contributions for the activities of CAPSA. The financial resources of CAPSA shall be administered in accordance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules. Amendments Amendments to the present statute shall be adopted by the Commission. Matters not covered by the present Statute In the event of any procedural matter arising that is not covered by the present statute or rules of procedure adopted by the Governing Council under paragraph 16 of the present statute, the pertinent part of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall apply. Entry into force The present statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Commission. Members and associate members elected to the Governing Board of the former CGPRT Centre at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission will serve as members of the Governing Council of CAPSA until the sixty-second session of the Commission, in 2006. 2005/40 Establishment of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development The Economic and Social Council, Recognizing the particularly rapid development in information and communications technology and its applications, and their implications for economic and social development, which have posed unprecedented challenges for developing countries in need of efficient, informed and timely access to information, information services, tools, best practices and other information and communications technology-related resources, Expressing grave concern about the prevailing digital divide between countries and within countries and communities and its implications for development and the persistence of poverty, Acknowledging the importance of information and communications technology for development and for building inclusive knowledge societies, as well as the role of the United Nations in promoting regional cooperation through partnerships with all relevant stakeholders, Recalling the Declaration of Principles and the Plan of Action, adopted by the World Summit on the Information Society on 12 December 2003 during its first phase, which called for capacity-building with an emphasis on creating a critical mass of qualified and skilled information and communications technology professionals and experts, the promotion of regional cooperation in the field of capacity-building by the United Nations and its specialized agencies and fostering effective international and regional cooperation among Governments, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, including international financial institutions, Recalling also the Tokyo Declaration adopted on 15 January 2003 by Governments of the Asian and Pacific region as the region's input to the World Summit, which identified information and communications technology development, capacity-building and fostering of partnerships as priority areas for action in advancing the region's information society, Recalling further Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific resolution 57/4 of 25 April 2001 on regional cooperation in information and communications technology for development as well as General Assembly resolution 55/279 of 12 July 2001 on the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, Reaffirming General Assembly resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, by which the Assembly adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration and resolved, inter alia, to ensure that the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications technology, were available to all, and resolution 57/144 of 16 December 2002 on the follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit, Recalling General Assembly resolution 57/295 of 20 December 2002 on information and communications technology for development and resolution 56/189 of 21 December 2001 on human resources development, in which the Assembly made several references to information technologies, Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 57/270 of 20 December 2002 on integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields, Recalling its resolution 2002/2 of 19 July 2002 on restructuring the conference structure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, including the establishment of a subcommittee on information, communications and space technology, Noting with satisfaction the outstanding success achieved by a number of countries in the region in the long-term development of their information and communications technology sectors and in harnessing new technologies for their national development, Noting also with satisfaction the work of such international organizations as the International Telecommunication Union and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity, Acknowledging, in particular, the important work of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity in facilitating capacity-building in the field of information and communications technology based on demand by its member States, Recognizing the advantages of regional resource centres on information and communications technology development issues in Asia and the Pacific that may optimize the sharing of expertise on information and communications technology in the region and further improve the effectiveness of regional capacity-building activities and the sharing of tools and processes, Expressing appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea for its offer to host the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development and to bear its institutional and operational costs, Cognizant of the need to avoid any possible duplication between the work of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre and the human resources development work of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity and other concerned international organizations, Decides to establish the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development, which will contribute to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific programme of work in the area of training in information and communications technology as decided by the Commission in its resolution 61/6; Approves the statute of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology, the text of which is annexed to the present resolution, as the basis for its operation; Requests the Executive Secretary to take all necessary steps for the prompt establishment of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre, including the conclusion of a headquarters agreement between the host country and the United Nations; Encourages the United Nations and other international organizations and agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations in the field concerned, to provide support to the Training Centre and cooperate in the implementation of its work programme; Calls upon the Executive Secretary to establish mechanisms for close coordination between the Training Centre and the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity in its human resources development work programme, and to avoid possible duplication with the Telecommunity in the formulation of the Centre's workplans; Invites all members and associate members to participate actively in monitoring and evaluating the work of the Training Centre in order to ensure that its activities do not duplicate those of other institutions and agencies in the region; Requests the Executive Secretary to report annually to the Commission on the progress made by the Training Centre in: (a) capacity-building to bridge the digital divide; (b) creating a sustainable institutional framework for the training of trainers in the field of information and communications technology; and (c) enhancing regional cooperation in human resources development in that field; Also requests the Executive Secretary to submit a report in 2008 on the performance of the Training Centre, in particular regarding the complementary and value-added contribution of its work to that of other relevant international organizations, which would serve as the basis for a midterm review by the Commission at its sixty-fourth session, in 2008; Further requests the Executive Secretary to submit a comprehensive report on the work of the Training Centre based on the findings of the midterm review, including an assessment of its financial sustainability and the complementary and value-added contribution of its work to that of other concerned international organizations, which would serve as the basis for a comprehensive review by the Commission at its sixty-sixth session, in 2010; Decides to assess the performance of the Training Centre, on the basis of the findings of the comprehensive review by the Commission at its sixty-sixth session, and to determine whether to proceed with its operation thereafter. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 Annex Statute of the Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development Establishment An Asian and Pacific Training Centre for Information and Communication Technology for Development (hereinafter referred to as “APCICT”) is established, with a membership identical to the membership of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (hereinafter referred to as “ESCAP” or “the Commission”). APCICT shall have the status of a subsidiary body of ESCAP. Objective The objective of APCICT is to build the capacity of members and associate members of ESCAP through training programmes in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for the purposes of socio-economic development. Functions In pursuance of the objective stated in paragraph 3, APCICT shall have such functions as: (a) Enhancing knowledge and skills in ICT for policymakers and ICT professionals; (b) Enhancing the capacity of ICT trainers and ICT training institutions by providing for training-of-trainers programmes and exchanges of trainers and experts; (c) Providing advisory services on human resources development programmes to members and associate members; (d) Undertaking analytical studies related to human resources development in ICT, including identifying training needs and sharing best practices on human resources development programmes and training methods. Status and organization APCICT shall have a Governing Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”), a Director and staff. APCICT shall be located in the Republic of Korea. The activities of APCICT shall be in line with relevant policy decisions adopted by the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the Commission. APCICT shall be subject to the Financial and Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the applicable administrative instructions. Governing Council APCICT shall have a Governing Council consisting of a representative nominated by the Government of the Republic of Korea and eight representatives of members and associate members of ESCAP elected by the Commission. The Council shall be elected for a period of three years but shall be eligible for re-election. The Executive Secretary of the Commission or his/her representative shall attend the meetings of the Council. An interim Council shall be elected by ESCAP and constituted upon the adoption of the present statute. The Council shall be reconfirmed at the sixty-second session of the Commission. The Director of APCICT shall serve as Secretary of the Council. Representatives of (a) States that are not members of the Council, (b) United Nations bodies and specialized and related agencies and (c) such other organizations as the Council may deem appropriate, as well as experts in fields of interest to the Council, may be invited by the Executive Secretary to attend meetings of the Council. The Council shall meet at least once a year and may adopt its own rules of procedure. Sessions of the Council shall be convened by the Executive Secretary of ESCAP, who may propose special sessions of the Council at his/her own initiative and shall convene such special sessions at the request of a majority of Council members. A quorum for meetings of the Council shall be a majority of its members. Each member of the Council shall have one vote. Decisions and recommendations of the Council shall be made by consensus or, when that is not possible, by a majority of the members present and voting. The Council shall, at each regular session, elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. They shall hold office until the next regular session of the Council. The Chairperson or, in his/her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Council. If the Chairperson is unable to serve for the full term for which he/she has been elected, the Vice-Chairperson shall act as Chairperson for the remainder of that term. The Council shall be responsible for advising the Director on the formulation of the work programme. The Council shall review the administration and financial status of APCICT and the implementation of its programme of work. The Executive Secretary of ESCAP shall submit an annual report, as adopted by the Council, to the Commission at its annual sessions. Director and staff APCICT shall have a Director and staff, who shall be ESCAP staff members appointed under the appropriate United Nations regulations, rules and administrative instructions. The Director shall be appointed in a manner consistent with United Nations regulations and rules. The Council will be invited to nominate candidates for the position of Director, once the vacancy is announced, and provide advice, as appropriate. Other members and associate members of the Commission may also submit nominations for the post. The Director shall be appointed for one year and be eligible for reappointment. The Director shall be responsible to the Executive Secretary of ESCAP for the administration of APCICT and the implementation of its programme of work. Resources of the Centre The operation of APCICT shall not involve additional regular budget resources of ESCAP. All members and associate members of ESCAP should be encouraged to make a regular annual contribution, on a voluntary basis, to the operations of APCICT. The United Nations shall administer a joint contribution trust fund in which those contributions shall be deposited. APCICT will endeavour to mobilize sufficient resources to support its activities. The United Nations shall maintain separate trust funds for voluntary contributions for technical cooperation projects or other extraordinary voluntary contributions for activities of APCICT. The financial resources of APCICT shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Amendments Amendments to the present statute shall be adopted by the Commission. Matters not covered by the present statute In the event of any procedural matter arising that is not covered by the present statute or rules of procedure adopted by the Governing Council under paragraph 11 of the present statute, the pertinent part of the rules of procedure of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shall apply. Entry into force The present statute shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Commission. 2005/41 Admission of Germany as a member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean The Economic and Social Council, Bearing in mind that the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean was set up by Economic and Social Council resolution 106 (VI) of 25 February 1948, which states that membership of the Commission shall be open to Members of the United Nations in North, Central and South America and in the Caribbean area, and to France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Bearing in mind also that the Commission was set up on the basis of the participation of all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and those which have had special relations of a historical, cultural, geographical or economic nature with the region, Recalling that, in this spirit, the Commission subsequently admitted Spain in 1979, Portugal in 1984 and Italy in 1990, Considering that the Government of Germany has communicated to the Commission, through the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, its desire to be admitted to membership of the Commission, Taking into account the continuous historical, cultural and economic links that have existed between Germany and the Latin American and Caribbean countries throughout the history of the region and the important and growing contributions that German cooperation agencies have been making through the Commission to the development of Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years, Welcomes with satisfaction the request of the Government of Germany for admission as a member of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean; Approves the admission of Germany as a member of the Commission and to this effect authorizes the amendment of paragraph 3 (a) of the terms of reference of the Commission by the insertion of the word “Germany”, between the words “and to” and the word “France”. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/42 United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its 2003 ministerial declaration, which underlined the importance of alliances and partnerships among actors in different sectors for the promotion of integrated rural development, Recalling also its resolution 2004/49 of 23 July 2004 on the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development, Underlining the importance of the contribution of the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society in general to the implementation of the outcomes of United Nations conferences in the economic, social and related fields, Recalling the central role and responsibility of Governments in national and international policymaking, Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 58/129 of 19 December 2003, entitled “Towards global partnerships”, in which the Assembly, inter alia, identified the principles and objectives of such partnerships and welcomed the establishment of a multitude of partnerships at the field level, entered into by various United Nations organizations, Member States and other stakeholders, such as the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development (the United Nations Alliance), Encourages the initiative of the Government of the Dominican Republic to serve as the second pilot country for the United Nations Public-Private Alliance for Rural Development (the United Nations Alliance); Invites all Member States, the funds, programmes and agencies of the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods institutions, civil society, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders to support the programmes and activities of the United Nations Alliance in its mission to promote sustainable rural development, consistent with General Assembly resolution 58/129 and other relevant resolutions and decisions of the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council; Stresses that activities of the funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system at the country level in support of the United Nations Alliance should take into account the implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework; Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2007 on the work of the United Nations Alliance. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/43 Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women The Economic and Social Council, Having considered with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women, Recalling the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, in particular paragraph 260 concerning Palestinian women and children, the Beijing Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”, Recalling also its resolution 2004/56 of 23 July 2004 and other relevant United Nations resolutions, Recalling further the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women as it concerns the protection of civilian populations, Expressing the urgent need for the full resumption of negotiations within the Middle East peace process on its agreed basis and towards the speedy achievement of a final settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, Concerned about the grave situation of Palestinian women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, resulting from severe impact of ongoing illegal Israeli settlement activities and the unlawful construction of the wall, as well as the severe consequences arising from Israeli military operations on and sieges of civilian areas, which have detrimentally impacted their social and economic conditions and deepened the humanitarian crisis faced by them and their families, Recalling the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice on the “Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”, and recalling also General Assembly resolution ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004, Recalling also the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights127 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and affirming that these human rights instruments must be respected in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Expressing its condemnation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction, especially the excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians, many of them women and children, resulting in injury and loss of human life, Calls upon the concerned parties, as well as the international community, to exert all the necessary efforts to ensure the full resumption of the peace process on its agreed basis, taking into account the common ground already gained, and calls for measures for tangible improvement of the difficult situation on the ground and the living conditions faced by Palestinian women and their families; Reaffirms that the Israeli occupation remains a major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to their advancement, self-reliance and integration in the development planning of their society; Demands that Israel, the occupying power, comply fully with the provisions and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Regulations annexed to the Hague Convention IV of 18 October 1907 and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, in order to protect the rights of Palestinian women and their families; Calls upon Israel to facilitate the return of all refugees and displaced Palestinian women and children to their homes and properties, in compliance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; Calls upon the international community to continue to provide urgently needed assistance and services in an effort to alleviate the dire humanitarian crisis being faced by Palestinian women and their families and to help in the reconstruction of relevant Palestinian institutions; Requests the Commission on the Status of Women to continue to monitor and take action with regard to the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women,122 in particular paragraph 260 concerning Palestinian women and children, the Beijing Platform for Action123 and the outcome documents of the special session of the General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”;124 Requests the Secretary-General to continue to review the situation, to assist Palestinian women by all available means, including those laid out in the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” and to submit to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fiftieth session a report, including information provided by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. 39th plenary meeting 26 July 2005 2005/44 Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 The Economic and Social Council, Recalling the Brussels Declaration and the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, Recalling also its decision 2001/320 of 24 October 2001, in which it decided to establish, under the regular agenda item entitled “Integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the major United Nations conferences and summits”, a regular sub-item entitled “Review and coordination of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010”, Recalling further its resolution 2003/17 of 22 July 2003 and its decision 2003/287 of 24 July 2003, as well as the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of its substantive session of 2004 on the theme “Resources mobilization and enabling environment for poverty eradication in the context of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010”, Recalling paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 59/244 of 22 December 2004, in which the Assembly decided to hold the comprehensive review of the Programme of Action in 2006 during its sixty-first session, in accordance with paragraph 114 of the Programme of Action, and paragraph 6 of the same resolution, in which the Assembly decided to consider at its sixtieth session the modalities for conducting such a comprehensive review, Takes note of the annual progress report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010; Expresses its deep concern over the insufficient progress achieved in the implementation of the Programme of Action, and stresses the need to address areas of weakness in its implementation; Urges the least developed countries and their bilateral and multilateral development partners to undertake increased efforts and to adopt speedy measures with a view to meeting the goals and targets of the Programme of Action in a timely manner; Urges the least developed countries that have not yet done so to develop, adopt and implement national development strategies to achieve the goals and targets of the Programme of Action; Calls upon development partners to assist the least developed countries in the development and implementation of their national development strategies based on the goals and targets of the Programme of Action; Calls upon development partners, including organizations of the United Nations system, to provide assistance to national statistical bodies of the least developed countries in order to strengthen monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Programme of Action; Calls upon the least developed countries, in preparation for the comprehensive review in 2006 by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session, to undertake their national reviews on the implementation of the Programme of Action, with a particular focus on progress, obstacles, constraints, actions and measures necessary to further the implementation of the Programme of Action; Requests United Nations resident coordinators to assist the least developed countries in undertaking their national reviews in preparation for the comprehensive review of the implementation of the Programme of Action by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session; Requests the regional commissions to assist the least developed countries in undertaking regional reviews of the implementation of the Programme of Action in their respective regions in preparation for the comprehensive review in 2006 by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session; Encourages the organizations of the United Nations system and other international organizations to undertake, in preparation for the comprehensive review in 2006 by the General Assembly at its sixty-first session, sectoral reviews of the implementation of the Programme of Action by their governing bodies; Requests the Secretary-General to include least developed country issues in all relevant reports in the economic, social and related fields, in particular those that analyse global development trends, such as World Economic Situation and Prospects, to ensure the follow-up of their development in a broader context; Reiterates the critical importance of the participation of Government representatives from the least developed countries in the annual review of the Programme of Action by the Economic and Social Council, and welcomes in this regard the establishment by the Secretary-General of a specific trust fund for the travel and daily subsistence allowance of two representatives from each least developed country to attend the annual review of the Programme of Action, calls upon Member States to contribute generously to that trust fund, and requests the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts to mobilize the necessary resources in order to ensure that the trust fund is adequately resourced; Calls upon the Secretary-General, while stressing the central role of the Economic and Social Council in the coordination of actions in the United Nations system for the implementation of the Programme of Action, to undertake appropriate measures to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States so that it can carry out its functions, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 56/227 of 24 December 2001; Requests the Secretary-General to submit an annual progress report on the implementation of the Programme of Action in a more analytical and results-oriented way, by placing emphasis on the progress achieved by the least developed countries and their development partners in its implementation. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/45 Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development The Economic and Social Council, Reaffirming the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of its substantive session of 2003, Recalling its decision 2004/48 of 22 July 2004, Noting the offer of Brazil to host the International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development in 2006, Reiterating that the eradication of rural poverty and hunger is crucial for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, and that rural development should be pursued through an integrated approach that encompasses economic, social and environmental dimensions, takes into account a gender perspective and consists of mutually reinforcing policies and programmes, which should be balanced, targeted, situation-specific, locally owned, should include local synergies and initiatives and should be responsive to the needs of rural populations, Having considered progress or the lack thereof in the implementation of the ministerial declaration of the high-level segment of its substantive session of 2003 at its substantive session of 2005, Decides to consider, at its regular organizational session in February 2006, the proposal to include a discussion on promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development at a future substantive session of the Council. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/46 Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 2004/52 of 23 July 2004 and its decision 2004/322 of 11 November 2004 on the long-term programme of support for Haiti, in which the Council decided to reactivate the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, Recalling also its resolution 2004/46 of 22 July 2004 on the support for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, Stressing the continued need for Member States, United Nations organs, bodies and agencies and other international organizations to contribute to the promotion of socio-economic recovery and stability in Haiti, Taking into account the interaction and cooperation between the Economic and Social Council and the Security Council, within their respective mandates, on the situation in Haiti, Takes note of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti; Encourages the recent efforts by the transitional Government of Haiti to focus on long-term development through the creation of a strategic planning unit in support of the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation, and recognizes in this context the work of the United Nations country team and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare the groundwork for a poverty reduction strategy; Decides to extend the mandate of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group until the substantive session of the Economic and Social Council in July 2006, with the purpose of following closely and providing advice on Haiti's long-term development strategy to promote socio-economic recovery and stability, with particular attention to the need to ensure coherence and sustainability in international support for Haiti, based on the long-term national development priorities, building upon the Interim Cooperation Framework and stressing the need to avoid overlap and duplication with respect to existing mechanisms; Expresses its satisfaction to the Secretary-General for the support provided to the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, and requests him to continue to support the Group's activities adequately; Requests the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, in accomplishing its mandate, to continue to cooperate with the Secretary-General, the United Nations Development Group, relevant United Nations funds and programmes and specialized agencies, the Bretton Woods institutions, regional organizations and institutions, including the Organization of American States and the Caribbean Community, the Inter-American Development Bank and other major stakeholders; Notes that post-conflict recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation, including the experience of the ad hoc advisory groups, are among the subjects being discussed in ongoing talks on United Nations reform; Requests the Ad Hoc Advisory Group to submit a report on its work, with recommendations, as appropriate, to the Economic and Social Council no later than six weeks before the start of the substantive session of 2006; Decides that the work of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group will be reviewed at the substantive session of 2006, with a view to considering whether to continue its mandate, based on the Council's consideration of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group and of the situation then prevailing in Haiti. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/47 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolution 2003/18 of 22 July 2003, Having considered the report of the Executive Director of the Joint Programme, Recalling the goals and targets set forth in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, adopted by the General Assembly at its twenty-sixth special session in 2001, and the HIV/AIDS-related goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration of 2000, Reaffirming the importance of the follow-up process prescribed by the Declaration, which included the setting of specific time-bound targets, which fall due in 2005 and 2010, and noting in this regard the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to review progress achieved in realizing the commitments set out in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, held on 2 June 2005, Noting with profound concern that 39.4 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, that the pandemic claimed 3.1 million lives in 2004, with 4.9 million new HIV infections, and that it has orphaned 15 million children to date, Deeply concerned that the global HIV/AIDS pandemic has a disproportionate impact on women and girls and that the majority of new infections occur among young people, Expressing serious concern about the continued global spread of HIV/AIDS, which exacerbates poverty and poses a major threat to economic and social development and to food security in heavily affected regions, Noting the need for greater coherence and accountability in the responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Recognizing the importance of partnerships at the national, regional and international levels as part of the responses to HIV/AIDS, including for prevention, care, support and treatment, as well as the importance of enhanced support for human and institutional capacity development and of considerably increased financial resources, Welcoming the World Food Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as the ninth and tenth co-sponsors of the Joint Programme, Urges the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates, to intensify their support to Governments, with a view to achieving the goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,139 as well as the goals and targets contained in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS;138 Encourages Governments to report fully in preparation for the report of the Secretary-General to the sixtieth session of the General Assembly on the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS; Welcomes the support given by the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS at its fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth meetings to the commitment of the Joint Programme to expanding technical support, building capacity and promoting coordinated and comprehensive responses at country level, in particular through the implementation of the “three ones” principle for country-level coordination, and in taking into consideration the recommendations of the Global Task Team on Improving AIDS Coordination among Multilateral Institutions and International Donors; Also welcomes the intensification of joint regional United Nations action on HIV/AIDS, through improved communications between agencies at the regional level and through initiatives such as the regional support teams established by the Programme to mobilize and leverage technical, financial and political support for the joint country-level efforts by the United Nations, largely through the country offices of the Programme in their respective regions, to assist national HIV/AIDS responses; Encourages the Programme and the World Health Organization to intensify their work with the international community in achieving the “3 by 5” target; Also encourages the Programme to continue to promote and support countries in the development of evidence-informed HIV/AIDS strategies, including efforts towards universal access to prevention, treatment and care services, recognizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to HIV/AIDS; Takes note with interest of the endorsement by the Programme Coordinating Board at its seventeenth meeting, of the policy position paper of the Joint Programme entitled “Intensifying HIV Prevention”, and urges the Programme to strengthen its leadership of global and regional efforts, as appropriate, and support national efforts to intensify HIV prevention as part of a comprehensive, coordinated and coherent response to HIV/AIDS; Encourages the activities of the Programme to strengthen, streamline and harmonize monitoring and evaluation efforts at the global, regional and country levels, in particular its efforts to rapidly improve monitoring and evaluation systems in priority countries through the provision of technical support and the posting of specialist staff in these and other countries; Commends the Programme and its partners for launching the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, and calls for strengthened and improved action related to women and HIV/AIDS through intensified efforts by Governments, United Nations agencies, civil society and the private sector; Takes note with appreciation of the endorsement of the Programme Coordinating Board, at its seventeenth meeting, of the recommendations of the Global Task Team on Improving AIDS Coordination among Multilateral Institutions and International Donors, and calls upon the Programme and the wider United Nations system and invites other multilateral institutions to implement the recommendations, as appropriate; Supports the efforts of the Programme to advocate that increased resources be devoted to the response to HIV/AIDS and to explore innovative options for expanding the funding base, both nationally and internationally; Commends the Programme for strengthening the results-based management framework and simplifying the 2006-2007 unified budget and work plan, as requested by the Programme Coordinating Board at its sixteenth meeting; Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Economic and Social Council, at its substantive session of 2007, a report prepared by the Executive Director of the Joint Programme, in collaboration with other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, which should include information on progress made in implementing the coordinated response of the United Nations system to the HIV/AIDS pandemic as well as the decisions, recommendations and conclusions of the Programme Coordinating Board taken subsequent to the substantive session of the Council in 2005. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/48 Role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of the outcomes of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its agreed conclusions 1995/1 and 2002/1 and its relevant resolutions on the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits, Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 50/227 of 24 May 1996, 52/12 B of 19 December 1997 and 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, Recalling further the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits and the reviews of their implementation in the economic, social and related fields, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits, Underlines the unique opportunity provided by the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly in September 2005 to advance the implementation of all the commitments made in the Millennium Declaration and in the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits; Takes note with appreciation of the contributions of the functional commissions, the regional commissions and other relevant subsidiary bodies to the preparation of the input of the Economic and Social Council to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly; Recalls its decision 2005/220, in which it decided to continue consultations on a multi-year work programme for the coordination segment, with a view to finalizing the programme of the work before the beginning of its substantive session of 2006; Welcomes the progress made in the review of the working methods of several functional commissions, and invites those functional commissions and other relevant subsidiary bodies that have not yet done so to continue to examine their methods of work, as mandated by the General Assembly in its resolution 57/270 B, in order better to pursue the implementation of the outcomes of major United Nations conferences and summits, and to submit their reports to the Council in 2006; Recognizes that progress has been made in several areas to enhance cooperation among the functional commissions and between the functional commissions and the funds and programmes, and invites the functional commissions to continue to work towards further strengthening this cooperation, including through the exchange of experiences with the aim of contributing to the quality and impact of intergovernmental decisions; Requests its commissions, in their reports, to clearly identify the operational implications of their work for consideration and appropriate action by the governing bodies of the United Nations funds and programmes; Decides to further strengthen its linkages with the United Nations regional commissions, including through the contribution of the commissions to the preparation of reports on implementation reviews; Invites the United Nations regional commissions, within their mandates, to continue to develop closer links among themselves through knowledge-sharing and to enhance cooperation, as appropriate, with the United Nations funds and programmes in order to ensure coherence in their work at the regional level while respecting the governance structures of the relevant bodies; Recognizes the importance of an efficient reporting system in order to make better use of the information provided to the Economic and Social Council and to allow the Council to exercise its coordinating and policy guidance role, and encourages subsidiary bodies to adhere to the guidelines for documentation adopted by the General Assembly and the Council; Decides to continue to promote integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits; Stresses the important contribution of civil society in the implementation of conference outcomes, and emphasizes that the contribution of non-governmental organizations and the private sector to the work of the Economic and Social Council should be further encouraged and improved, in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Council; Decides to continue to take necessary steps for the effective implementation of the provisions of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B, which are relevant to the work of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary machinery; Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on the role of the Economic and Social Council in the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 50/227, 52/12 B and 57/270 B for consideration by the Council at its substantive session in 2006. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/49 Support to Non-Self-Governing Territories by the specialized agencies and international institutions associated with the United Nations The Economic and Social Council, Having examined the report of the Secretary-General and the report of the President of the Economic and Social Council containing the information submitted by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations on their activities with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Having heard the statement by the representative of the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 and 1541 (XV) of 15 December 1960, the resolutions of the Special Committee and other relevant resolutions and decisions, including, in particular, Economic and Social Council resolution 2004/53 of 23 July 2004, Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the final documents of the successive Conferences of Heads of State or Government of Non-Aligned Countries and of the resolutions adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, the Pacific Islands Forum and the Caribbean Community, Conscious of the need to facilitate the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Welcoming the participation, in the capacity of observer, of those Non-Self-Governing Territories that are associate members of the regional commissions in world conferences in the economic and social sphere, subject to the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, including resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on specific Territories, Noting that only some specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system have been involved in providing assistance to Non-Self-Governing Territories, Welcoming the assistance extended to Non-Self-Governing Territories by certain specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, Stressing that, because the development options of the small island Non-Self-Governing Territories are limited, there are special challenges to planning for and implementing sustainable development and that those Territories will be constrained in meeting the challenges without the continued cooperation and assistance of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, Stressing also the importance of securing the necessary resources to fund expanded programmes of assistance for the peoples concerned and the need to enlist the support of all the major funding institutions within the United Nations system in that regard, Reaffirming the mandate of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to take all appropriate measures, within their respective spheres of competence, to ensure the full implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions, Expressing its appreciation to the African Union, the Pacific Islands Forum, the Caribbean Community and other regional organizations for the continued cooperation and assistance they have extended to the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system in this regard, Expressing its conviction that closer contacts and consultations between and among the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system and regional organizations help to facilitate the effective formulation of programmes of assistance for the peoples concerned, Mindful of the imperative need to keep under continuous review the activities of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system in the implementation of the various United Nations decisions relating to decolonization, Bearing in mind the extremely fragile economies of the small island Non-Self-Governing Territories and their vulnerability to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, cyclones and sea-level rise, and recalling the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/129 of 10 December 2004, entitled “Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations”, Takes note of the report of the President of the Economic and Social Council containing the information submitted by the specialized agencies and the international institutions associated with the United Nations on their activities with regard to the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples,143 and endorses the observations and suggestions arising therefrom; Also takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;142 Recommends that all States intensify their efforts in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration contained in General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations; Reaffirms that the specialized agencies and other organizations and institutions of the United Nations system should continue to be guided by the relevant resolutions of the United Nations in their efforts to contribute to the implementation of the Declaration and all other relevant General Assembly resolutions; Also reaffirms that the recognition by the General Assembly, the Security Council and other United Nations organs of the legitimacy of the aspirations of the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories to exercise their right to self-determination entails, as a corollary, the extension of all appropriate assistance to those peoples; Expresses its appreciation to those specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system that have continued to cooperate with the United Nations and the regional and subregional organizations in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations, and requests all the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system to implement the relevant provisions of those resolutions; Requests the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system and international and regional organizations to examine and review conditions in each Territory so as to take appropriate measures to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of the Territories; Requests the specialized agencies and other organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and regional organizations to strengthen existing measures of support and formulate appropriate programmes of assistance to the remaining Non-Self-Governing Territories, within the framework of their respective mandates, in order to accelerate progress in the economic and social sectors of those Territories; Recommends that the executive heads of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system formulate, with the active cooperation of the regional organizations concerned, concrete proposals for the full implementation of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations and submit the proposals to their governing and legislative organs; Also recommends that the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system continue to review, at the regular meetings of their governing bodies, the implementation of General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) and other relevant resolutions of the United Nations; Welcomes the continuing initiative exercised by the United Nations Development Programme in maintaining close liaison among the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, including the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and in providing assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories; Requests the Department of Public Information, in consultation with the United Nations Development Programme, the specialized agencies and the Special Committee, to prepare an information leaflet on assistance programmes available to the Non-Self-Governing Territories and to disseminate it widely among them; Encourages Non-Self-Governing Territories to take steps to establish and/or strengthen disaster preparedness and management institutions and policies; Requests the administering Powers concerned to facilitate, when appropriate, the participation of appointed and elected representatives of Non-Self-Governing Territories in the meetings and conferences of the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system, in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, including resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly and the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples relating to specific Territories, so that the Territories may benefit from the related activities of those agencies and organizations; Recommends that all Governments intensify their efforts in the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system of which they are members to accord priority to the question of providing assistance to the peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories; Draws the attention of the Special Committee to the present resolution and to the discussion held on the subject at the substantive session of 2005 of the Economic and Social Council; Welcomes the adoption by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean of its resolution 574 (XXVII) of 16 May 1998 calling for the necessary mechanisms for its associate members, including small island Non-Self-Governing Territories, to participate in the special sessions of the General Assembly, subject to the rules of procedure of the Assembly, to review and assess the implementation of the plans of action of those United Nations world conferences in which the Territories originally participated in the capacity of observer, and in the work of the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies; Requests the President of the Council to continue to maintain close contact on these matters with the Chairman of the Special Committee and to report thereon to the Council; Requests the Secretary-General to follow the implementation of the present resolution, paying particular attention to cooperation and integration arrangements for maximizing the efficiency of the assistance activities undertaken by various organizations of the United Nations system, and to report thereon to the Council at its substantive session of 2006; Decides to keep these questions under continuous review. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/50 The Damascus Declaration and the role of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration The Economic and Social Council, Reaffirming the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which was adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, Also reaffirming the commitments made in partnership between developed and developing countries for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, Affirming the importance of intensifying cooperation between the countries of the region in order to realize the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, by 2015, Commending the efforts of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia in that field and the report on progress made towards realizing the Millennium Development Goals in that region, submitted to the Commission at its twenty-third session, Takes note of the Damascus Declaration, adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia at its twenty-third session; Affirms the importance of increasing economic growth and linking that growth to the formulation of strategies for the eradication of poverty and unemployment and the achievement of social integration, with a view to realizing the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, including by adopting the general policies necessary in respect of employment generation, social security, the improvement of living conditions, particularly for vulnerable persons, combating corruption and the strengthening of accountability; Stresses the need for member countries of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia to coordinate at the regional level in support of the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration; Urges the United Nations organizations that are working in the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia region to coordinate their activities in order to meet regional needs and to focus, in the meetings of the regional coordination group organized by the Commission, on the progress of the region towards the realization of those goals; Requests the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia to provide support to member countries in realizing the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, including by building capacities to formulate policies, monitor the progress made, measure its impact and prepare regional reports; Requests the Executive Secretary to submit a report on the progress made in this regard to the Commission at its twenty-fourth session. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 2005/51 Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan The Economic and Social Council, Recalling General Assembly resolution 59/251 of 22 December 2004, Also recalling its resolution 2004/54 of 23 July 2004, Guided by the principles of the Charter of the United Nations affirming the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force and recalling relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 446 (1979) of 22 March 1979, 452 (1979) of 20 July 1979, 465 (1980) of 30 June 1980, 476 (1980) of 20 August 1980, 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980, 497 (1981) of 17 December 1981, 904 (1994) of 18 March 1994, 1073 (1996) of 28 September 1996, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003 and 1544 (2004) of 19 May 2004, Recalling the resolutions of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly, including ES-10/13 of 21 October 2003, ES-10/14 of 8 December 2003 and ES-10/15 of 20 July 2004, Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949 to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, Stressing the importance of the revival of the Middle East peace process on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 425 (1978), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1544 (2004) and the principle of land for peace as well as compliance with the agreements reached between the Government of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, Reaffirming the principle of the permanent sovereignty of peoples under foreign occupation over their natural resources, Convinced that the Israeli occupation has gravely impeded the efforts to achieve sustainable development and a sound economic environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, Gravely concerned about the deterioration of the economic and living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan and the exploitation by Israel, the occupying Power, of their natural resources, Gravely concerned also by the grave impact on the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people caused by Israel's construction of the wall and its associated regime inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, and the resulting violation of their economic and social rights, including the right to work, to health, to education and to an adequate standard of living, Recalling in this regard the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights148 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and affirming that these human rights instruments must be respected in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as in the Occupied Syrian Golan, Gravely concerned at the extensive destruction by Israel, the occupying Power, of agricultural land and orchards in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, during the recent period, including, and in particular, as a result of its unlawful construction of the wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, Recalling the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004 by the International Court of Justice on the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, recalling also General Assembly resolution ES-10/15, and stressing the need to comply with the obligations mentioned therein, Expressing concern at the recent escalation of violence that has been characteristic of recent years following a period of relative calm, and, in this context, expressing its concern about the tragic and violent events that have taken place since September 2000, which have led to many deaths and injuries, Aware of the important work being done by the United Nations and the specialized agencies in support of the economic and social development of the Palestinian people, as well as the assistance being provided in the humanitarian field, Conscious of the urgent need for the reconstruction and development of the economic and social infrastructure of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, as well as the urgent need to address the dire humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people, Calling on both parties to fulfil their obligations under the road map in cooperation with the Quartet, Stresses the need to preserve the national unity and the territorial integrity of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and to guarantee the freedom of movement of persons and goods in the Territory, including the removal of restrictions on going into and from East Jerusalem, and the freedom of movement to and from the outside world; Also stresses the vital importance of the construction and operation of the airport and the seaport in Gaza and the establishment of the safe passage between the West Bank and Gaza for the economic and social development of the Palestinian people; Demands the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction; Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to end its occupation of Palestinian cities, towns and other populated centres, to cease its destruction of homes and properties, economic institutions and agricultural fields and to end the imposition of all forms of closure and curfew, which impede efforts aimed at the amelioration of the economic and social conditions and the development of the Palestinian people; Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and the Arab population of the occupied Syrian Golan to all their natural and economic resources, and calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, not to exploit, endanger or cause loss or depletion of these resources; Also reaffirms that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the occupied Syrian Golan, are illegal and an obstacle to economic and social development, and calls for the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions; Stresses that the wall being constructed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, is contrary to international law and is seriously debilitating to the economic and social development of the Palestinian people, and calls in this regard for full compliance with the legal obligations mentioned in the 9 July 2004 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice150 and in General Assembly resolution ES-10/15; Emphasizes the importance of the work of the organizations and agencies of the United Nations and of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority; Urges Member States to encourage private foreign investment in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, in infrastructure, job-creation projects and social development in order to alleviate the hardships being faced by the Palestinian people and improve their living conditions; Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session, through the Economic and Social Council, a report on the implementation of the present resolution and to continue to include in the report of the United Nations Special Coordinator an update on the living conditions of the Palestinian people, in collaboration with relevant United Nations agencies; Decides to include the item entitled “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan” in the agenda of its substantive session of 2006. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 Science and technology for development The Economic and Social Council, Welcoming the work of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its theme “Science and technology promotion, advice and application for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration”, Taking note of initiatives that call for substantial support for institutes of higher education and centres of excellence in developing countries, particularly in Africa, such as that of the Commission for Africa, Expressing its appreciation for the support provided to the Commission by donors including the generous financial contributions of the Governments of Italy and Pakistan to the network of centres of excellence to be established, as well as the financial support provided by Austria to expand the Internet connectivity benchmarking tool and the financial and technical support provided by the Centre for Information Technology of the state of Geneva to assist the least developed countries for building capacity in information and communication technologies, Taking note of General Assembly resolution 58/200 of 23 December 2003, in which the relevant bodies of the United Nations system engaged in biotechnology were urged to work cooperatively so as to ensure that countries received sound scientific information and practical advice to enable them to take advantage of those technologies, as appropriate, to promote economic growth and development, Takes note of the findings contained in the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its eighth session and of the following recommendations of the Commission at its eighth session, and invites Governments to review these recommendations and to consider implementing them as they deem appropriate: (a) Ensure that science, technology and innovation strategies are incorporated in international and national development strategies, especially those addressing the Millennium Development Goals and that science and technology education and research and technology are a major part of these strategies and are funded adequately; (b) Support venture capital and encourage the establishment of business incubators and science and technology parks and, at the same time, strengthen linkages between public research and private industry and tap into regional and international research and development networks; (c) Create innovative compensation and reward structures to promote research and innovation directed towards solving development problems aligned with national objectives in such areas as agriculture, health, the environment, the mitigation of natural disasters and the protection of traditional knowledge; (d) Strengthen science and technology educational systems, including through strong gender policies ensuring equal access to technological and scientific studies, appropriate funding, the introduction of entrepreneurial skills and attention to relevant intellectual property rights issues, and provide science and technology graduates with incentives and resources for starting innovative enterprises, with a view to improving gainful employment; (e) Ensure that adequate funding is allocated for the infrastructure for science and technology development, taking into account national needs for technological upgrading and development and providing a favourable working environment for scientists and researchers to attract and keep them in their home countries; (f) Involve representatives from industry, academia and public sectors in carrying out a comprehensive technology foresight exercise with the purpose of identifying technologies that are likely to help address pressing socio-economic issues, and establish priorities accordingly in science and technology policy and governmental programmes on research and education; (g) Encourage the design and implementation of science and technology systems targeted at the poor and at adapting conventional science and technologies, such as those of the green revolution, as well as emerging technologies, such as information and communication technologies and biotechnology; (h) Promote international cooperation and establish linkages aimed at sharing experiences and forging partnerships for the provision of financial assistance and expertise with a view to maximizing coverage of the socio-economic benefits of the progress achieved by modern science and technology; Decides to make the following recommendations to the Commission, by which the Commission, within its existing mandate and within existing resources or through extrabudgetary resources, is: (a) Encouraged to facilitate the establishment of a network of centres of excellence in developing countries with a view to allowing scientists and engineers to interact with each other and make use of state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities offered by these centres; (b) Requested to collect and compile case studies of successful experiences and best practices in science, technology and innovation that showcase their positive impact on the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, with a view to evaluating and benchmarking national science and technology policies; (c) Requested to further develop its Internet connectivity benchmarking tool, using extrabudgetary sources; (d) Encouraged to continue providing its expertise and analytical skills for science, technology and innovation policy reviews aimed at providing information-based policy recommendations to assist developing countries with their specific needs and circumstances; New substantive theme and other activities Recognizing that science and technology are essential in the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration and that many developing countries will need to enhance their capacity to harness the benefits of technology, Welcoming the proposal to establish an informal working group for Africa as part of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development to address science and technology issues for Africa, Endorses the decision of the Commission to select as its substantive theme for the intersessional period 2005-2006 “Bridging the technology gap between and within nations” and that specific emphasis should be placed on multi-stakeholder partnerships not only for bridging the technology gap but also to prevent it from growing wider; in this regard, the Commission will identify and address concrete aspects of this theme in cooperation with experts at its forthcoming panel meeting. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 Work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals The Economic and Social Council, Recalling its resolutions 1999/65 of 26 October 1999, 2001/34 of 26 July 2001, 2001/44 of 20 December 2001 and 2003/64 of 25 July 2003, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals during the biennium 2003-2004, Work of the Committee regarding the transport of dangerous goods Recognizing the importance of the work of the Committee for the harmonization of codes and regulations relating to the transport of dangerous goods, Bearing in mind the need to maintain safety standards at all times and to facilitate trade, as well as the importance of this to the various organizations responsible for modal regulations, while meeting the growing concern for the protection of life, property and the environment through the safe transport of dangerous goods, including their security in transport, Noting the increasing volume of dangerous goods being introduced into worldwide commerce, and the rapid expansion of technology and innovation, Recalling its resolution 1973 (LIX) of 30 July 1975 whereby it requested the Committee to study, in consultation with other bodies concerned, in particular the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the then Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the regional commissions, the possibility of a joint approach to the drafting of an international convention on the transport of dangerous goods by all modes of transport which would take into account the general scope of a future convention on international intermodal transport, Noting that the major international instruments governing the transport of dangerous goods by the various modes of transport and many national regulations are now harmonized with the Model Regulations annexed to the Committee recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods, but that the uneven progress in the updating process of national inland transport legislation in some countries of the world remains, inter alia, a reason for regulatory disharmony at the worldwide level and represents a serious legislative obstacle to international multimodal transport, Expresses its appreciation for the work of the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals with respect to matters relating to the transport of dangerous goods, including their security in transport; Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To circulate the new and amended recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods to the Governments of Member States, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international organizations concerned; (b) To publish the fourteenth revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Model Regulations and the amendments to the fourth revised edition of the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods: Manual of Tests and Criteria in all the official languages of the United Nations, in the most cost-effective manner, no later than the end of 2005; (c) To make those publications available on the website of the Secretariat of the Economic Commission for Europe, which also provides secretariat services to the Committee, and to make them available also on CD-ROM; Invites all Governments, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the other concerned international organizations to transmit to the secretariat of the Committee their views on the Committee's work, together with any comments that they may wish to make on the amended recommendations; Invites all interested Governments, the regional commissions, the specialized agencies and the international organizations concerned to take into account, when developing or updating appropriate codes and regulations, the recommendations of the Committee; Requests the Committee to continue to study, in consultation with the International Maritime Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the regional commissions and the intergovernmental organizations concerned, the possibilities of improving the implementation of the Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods in all countries for the purposes of ensuring a high level of safety and eliminating technical barriers to international trade, including through the further harmonization of international agreements or conventions governing the international transport of dangerous goods, or a possible joint approach to the development of an effective international instrument on multimodal international transport of dangerous goods, as appropriate; Work of the Committee regarding the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Bearing in mind that in paragraph 23 (c) of the Plan of Implementation adopted at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002 in Johannesburg, countries were encouraged to implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals as soon as possible with a view to having the system fully operational by 2008, Also bearing in mind that the General Assembly, by its resolution 57/253 of 20 December 2002, endorsed the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and requested the Economic and Social Council to implement the provisions of the Plan relevant to its mandate and, in particular, to promote the implementation of Agenda 21 by strengthening system-wide coordination, Noting with satisfaction: (a) That all United Nations programmes and specialized agencies concerned with chemical safety in the field of transport or of the environment, in particular the Economic Commission for Europe, the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Maritime Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization, have taken appropriate steps to amend or consider amending their legal instruments in order to give effect to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; (b) That the International Labour Office and the World Health Organization are also taking appropriate steps to adapt their existing chemical safety recommendations, codes and guidelines to the Globally Harmonized System, in particular in the areas of occupational health and safety and of the prevention and treatment of poisoning; (c) That Member States participating in the activities of the Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, as well as the European Commission, are actively preparing revisions of national or regional legislation applicable to chemicals for implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; (d) That several United Nations programmes, specialized agencies and regional organizations, in particular the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization, the Economic Commission for Europe, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety, Governments, the European Commission and non-governmental organizations representing the chemical industry, have organized or contributed to multiple workshops, seminars and other capacity-building activities at the international, regional, subregional and national levels in order to raise administration, health sector and industry awareness and to prepare for implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Aware that effective implementation by 2008 will require further cooperation between the Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and the international bodies concerned, continued efforts by the Governments of the Member States, cooperation with the industry and other affected parties, and significant support for capacity-building activities in countries with economies in transition and developing countries, Recalling the particular significance of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research/International Labour Organization/Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Global Partnership for Capacity-Building to implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals for building capacities at all levels, Commends the Secretary-General for the publication of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) in the six official languages of the United Nations, in book form and on CD-ROM, and the availability of that and related material on the website of the secretariat of the Economic Commission for Europe;158 Expresses its deep appreciation to the Committee, United Nations programmes, specialized agencies and other organizations concerned for their fruitful cooperation and their commitment to the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; Requests the Secretary-General: (a) To circulate the amendments to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals to the Governments of Member States, the specialized agencies and other international organizations concerned; (b) To publish the first revised edition of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals in all the official languages of the United Nations in the most cost-effective manner no later than the end of 2005, and to make it available on CD-ROM and on the website of the secretariat of the Economic Commission for Europe,158 which provides secretariat services to the Committee; Invites Governments who have not yet done so to take the necessary steps, through appropriate national procedures and/or legislation, to implement the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, as recommended in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development;160 Reiterates its invitation to the regional commissions, United Nations programmes, the specialized agencies and other organizations concerned to promote the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals and, where relevant, to amend their respective legal international instruments addressing transport safety, workplace safety, consumer protection or the protection of the environment so as to give effect to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals through such instruments; Invites Governments, the regional commissions, United Nations programmes, the specialized agencies and other organizations concerned to provide feedback on implementation to the Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; Encourages Governments, regional commissions, United Nations programmes, specialized agencies and other relevant international organizations and non-governmental organizations, in particular industry, to strengthen their support of the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals by providing financial contributions and/or technical assistance to capacity-building activities in developing countries and to countries in transition; Programme of work of the Committee Taking note of the programme of work of the Committee for the biennium 2005-2006 as contained in paragraphs 41 to 42 of the report of the Secretary-General in the work of the Committee of Experts,154 Noting the relatively poor representation of experts from developing countries and countries with economies in transition in the work of the Committee and the need to promote their wider participation in its work, Noting with concern that the General Service staff resources requested for the activities of the Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals when it was established and which had been provided through general temporary assistance until end 2004 were suppressed in 2004, irrespective of the recommendations made by the Committee at its first session, Decides to approve the programme of work of the Committee; Stresses the importance of the participation of experts from developing countries as well as from countries with economies in transition in the work of the Committee, calls in that regard for voluntary contributions to facilitate their participation, including through support for travel and daily subsistence allowance, and invites Member States and international organizations in a position to do so to contribute; Requests the Secretary-General to reallocate appropriate General Service staff resources for the activities of the Committee; Also requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Economic and Social Council in 2007 on the implementation of the present resolution, the recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 United Nations Development Fund for Women The Economic and Social Council, Recognizing that mainstreaming a gender perspective into all aspects of the work of the United Nations is an ongoing process and that further concrete steps are required, as a matter of urgency, to ensure full implementation of its agreed conclusions 1997/2 and its resolution 2004/4 of 7 July 2004, Recalling General Assembly resolution 39/125 of 14 December 1984, in which the Assembly set forth the arrangements for association between the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the United Nations Development Programme, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 59/250 of 22 December 2004, in which the Assembly called upon the United Nations development system to avail itself of the technical experience of the United Nations Development Fund for Women on gender issues, Invites the Executive Board of the United Nations Development Programme to consider the report on the organizational assessment of the United Nations Development Fund for Women, as appropriate, in 2006. 40th plenary meeting 27 July 2005 Decisions 2005/201 E Elections, nominations, confirmations and appointments to subsidiary and related bodies of the Economic and Social Council At its 34th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took the following action with regard to vacancies in its subsidiary and related bodies: Election Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting The Council elected Sweden for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2006. The Council further postponed the election of one member from Asian States, two members from Latin American and Caribbean States and three members from Western European and other States for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2006. Nomination Committee for Programme and Coordination The Council nominated Switzerland for election by the General Assembly for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2006. The Council was informed that the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland had withdrawn as a nominee for election by the General Assembly (see Council decision 2005/201 C). The Council therefore postponed the nomination of two members from Western European and other States for election by the General Assembly for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 2006. Appointments Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters The Council took note of the appointment by the Secretary-General of the following 25 experts for a four-year term expiring on 30 June 2009: Moftah Jassim Al-Moftah (Qatar), Bernell L. Arrindell (Barbados), Noureddine Bensouda (Morocco), Rowena G. Bethel (Bahamas), Patricia A. Brown (United States of America), José Antonio Bustos Buiza (Spain), Nahil L. Hirsh Carrillo (Peru), Danies Kawama Chisenda (Zambia), Paolo Ciocca (Italy), Andrew Dawson (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Talmon de Paula Freitas (Brazil), Harry Msamire Kitillya (United Republic of Tanzania), Frank Mullen (Ireland), Kyung Geun Lee (Republic of Korea), Habiba Louati (Tunisia), Ronald Peter van der Merwe (South Africa), Dmitry Vladimirovich Nikolaev (Russian Federation), Pascal Saint-Amans (France), Serafin U. Salvador, Jr. (Philippines), Erwin Silitonga (Indonesia), Stig B. Sollund (Norway), Yoshiki Takeuchi (Japan), Robert Waldburger (Switzerland), Armando Lara Yaffar (Mexico), Zhiyong Zhang (China). Committee of Experts on Public Administration The Council approved the nomination by the Secretary-General of the following 24 experts for a four-year term beginning on 1 January 2006: Peter Anyang' Nyong'o (Kenya), Ousmane Batoko (Benin), Marie-Françoise Bechtel (France), Rachid Benmokhtar Benabdellah (Morocco), Emilia Boncodin (Philippines), Jocelyne Bourgon (Canada), Luiz Carlos Bresser-Pereira (Brazil), Mario P. Chiti (Italy), Mikhail Dmitriev (Russian Federation), Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi (South Africa), Edgar Alfonso González Salas (Colombia), Werner Jann (Germany), Taher Kannan (Jordan), Pan Suk Kim (Republic of Korea), Barbara Kudrycka (Poland), Florin Lupescu (Romania), Anthony Makrydemetres (Greece), Jose Oscar Monteiro (Mozambique), Siripurapu Kesava Rao (India), Dennis Rondinelli (United States of America), Prijono Tjiptoherijanto (Indonesia), Luis Aguilar Villanueva (Mexico), Gwendoline Williams (Trinidad and Tobago), Wang Xiaochu (China). 2005/220 Adoption of the agenda of the substantive session of 2005 At its 10th plenary meeting, on 29 June 2005, the Economic and Social Council adopted the agenda of its substantive session of 2005 and approved the proposed programme of work of the session. At the same meeting, on the recommendation of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, the Council approved the requests made by non-governmental organizations to be heard by the Council at its substantive session of 2005 under agenda item 2. 2005/221 Theme for the coordination segment of the substantive session of 2006 of the Economic and Social Council and multi-year work programme for the coordination segment and documents considered under the item At its 17th plenary meeting, on 6 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Decided to adopt the following theme for the coordination segment of its substantive session of 2006: “Sustained economic growth for social development, including the eradication of poverty and hunger”; (b) Also decided that the establishment and implementation of a multi-year work programme for the coordination segment of its substantive session would be guided by the following considerations: (i) The role and functions of the coordination segment as identified in General Assembly resolution 45/264 of 13 May 1991, namely, the coordination of the activities of the specialized agencies, organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system in the economic, social and related fields, in accordance with Articles 63 and 64 of the Charter of the United Nations; (ii) That the multi-year work programme for the coordination segment should contribute to the integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences in the economic, social and related fields, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 50/227 of 24 May 1996 and 57/270 B of 23 June 2003; (c) Further decided to continue consultations on a multi-year work programme for the coordination segment, with a view to finalizing the work programme before the beginning of the substantive session of 2006 of the Economic and Social Council. 2005/222 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with the coordination segment of the Economic and Social Council At its 17th plenary meeting, on 6 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the Secretary-General on achieving internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration. 2005/223 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with the special economic, humanitarian and disaster relief assistance At its 28th plenary meeting, on 15 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the note of the Secretary-General on post-tsunami actions undertaken by the World Tourism Organization. 2005/224 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with the implementation of and follow-up to major United Nations conferences and summits At its 31st plenary meeting, on 19 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the following documents: (a) Note by the Secretary-General on coherence, coordination and cooperation in the context of the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus: achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration; (b) Summary by the President of the Economic and Social Council of the special high-level meeting of the Council with the Bretton Woods institutions, the World Trade Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (New York, 18 April 2005). 2005/225 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with reports of coordination bodies At its 31st and 40th plenary meetings, on 19 and 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the following documents: (a) Report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on its forty-fifth session; (b) Annual overview report of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination for 2004/2005. 2005/226 Calendar of conferences and meetings for 2006 and 2007 in the economic, social and related fields At its 31st plenary meeting, on 19 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, approved the calendar of conferences and meetings for 2006 and 2007 in the economic, social and related fields. 2005/227 Term of the Bureau of the Commission on Sustainable Development At its 32nd plenary meeting, on 20 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council recalling its decision 2004/214 of 13 February 2004, in which it decided to give further consideration to the term of the Bureau of the Commission on Sustainable Development for future sessions after the completion of the first two-year cycle, decided that the current term of the Bureau of the Commission on Sustainable Development, should continue on the basis of a one-year term for its next cycle, comprising the fourteenth and fifteenth sessions of the Commission. 2005/228 Dates of the meetings of the Commission on Sustainable Development during its 2006/2007 cycle At its 32nd plenary meeting, on 20 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling General Assembly resolution 59/265 of 23 December 2004, in which the Assembly decided, inter alia, that there should be an intervening period of at least two weeks between the closing of the sessions of relevant intergovernmental bodies and the beginning of the session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, decided that the fourteenth session of the Commission (review session) should take place from 1 to 12 May 2006, the intergovernmental preparatory meeting for the fifteenth session of the Commission should take place from 26 February to 2 March 2007 and the fifteenth session of the Commission (policy session) should take place from 30 April to 11 May 2007. 2005/229 Report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its thirteenth session and provisional agenda for the fourteenth session of the Commission At its 32nd plenary meeting, on 20 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its thirteenth session and approved the provisional agenda for the fourteenth session of the Commission set out below. Provisional agenda Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work. Thematic cluster for the implementation cycle 2006/2007 (review session): (a) Energy for sustainable development; (b) Industrial development; (c) Air pollution/atmosphere; (d) Climate change. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on energy for development Report of the Secretary-General on industrial development Report of the Secretary-General on air pollution/atmosphere Report of the Secretary-General on climate change Report of the Secretary-General on the overall progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Other matters. Provisional agenda for the fifteenth session of the Commission. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its fourteenth session. 2005/230 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with reports of the follow-up to policy recommendations of the General Assembly and the Council At its 32nd plenary meeting, on 20 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the following documents: (a) Report of the Secretary-General on comprehensive statistical data on operational activities for development for 2003; (b) Report of the Secretary-General on funding options and modalities for financing operational activities for development of the United Nations system; (c) Report of the Secretary-General on the management process for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 59/250 on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. 2005/231 Recommendations contained in the excerpt from the report of the Eighth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas At its 33rd plenary meeting, on 20 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council endorsed the recommendations contained in the excerpt from the report of the Eighth United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for the Americas. 2005/232 Declaration of the Commission on the Status of Women on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women At its 34th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to transmit the following declaration to the General Assembly and to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the review of the Millennium Declaration. Declaration of the Commission on the Status of Women on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women We, the representatives of Governments gathering at the forty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995, in the context of the review of the outcomes of the Conference and of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”, and its contribution to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the review of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, to be held from 14 to 16 September 2005, Reaffirm the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women and the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly; Welcome the progress made thus far towards achieving gender equality, stress that challenges and obstacles remain in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, and, in this regard, pledge to undertake further action to ensure their full and accelerated implementation; Emphasize that the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is essential to achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, and stress the need to ensure the integration of a gender perspective in the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the review of the Millennium Declaration; Recognize that the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the fulfilment of the obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women are mutually reinforcing in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women; Call upon the United Nations system, international and regional organizations, all sectors of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, as well as all women and men, to fully commit themselves and to intensify their contributions to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly. 2005/233 Participation of intergovernmental organizations in the work of the Economic and Social Council At its 34th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to grant observer status with the Council to the following intergovernmental organizations: Global Water Partnership and the Union Économique et Monetarie Ouest Africaine. 2005/234 Declaration of the Commission for Social Development on the tenth anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to transmit the following declaration to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session, including the High-level Plenary Meeting of the Assembly: Declaration on the tenth anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development We, the representatives of Governments gathering at the forty-third session of the Commission for Social Development in New York on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development, held at Copenhagen in 1995, in the context of the review of the outcome of the Summit and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly and its contribution to the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly on the review of the Millennium Declaration, to be held from 14 to 16 September 2005, Reaffirm that the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action adopted by the Summit and the further initiatives for social development adopted by the General Assembly at its twenty-fourth special session constitute the basic framework for the promotion of social development for all at the national and international levels; Recognize that the implementation of the Copenhagen commitments and the attainment of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, are mutually reinforcing and that the Copenhagen commitments are crucial to a coherent, people-centred approach to development; Stress that policies and programmes designed to achieve poverty eradication should include specific measures to foster social integration, including by providing marginalized socio-economic sectors and groups with equal access to opportunities; Reaffirm that an employment strategy that aims to promote full, freely chosen and productive employment with full respect for fundamental principles and rights at work under conditions of equity, equality, security and dignity should constitute a fundamental component of any development strategy. We further reaffirm that macroeconomic policies should, inter alia, support employment creation. The social impact and dimension of globalization deserve further attention; Recommit ourselves to promoting social integration by fostering societies that are stable, safe and just and that are based on the promotion and protection of all human rights, as well as on non-discrimination, tolerance, respect for diversity, equality of opportunity, solidarity, security and participation of all people, including disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and persons; Reaffirm the importance of promoting and attaining the goals of universal and equitable access to quality education, the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the access of all to primary health care as part of the effort to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment and foster social integration. We also recognize the continued need to address the impact of HIV/AIDS and other major infectious diseases on social and economic development; Recognize that gender equality and the full participation of women in society are integral to building a society for all and must be at the centre of all economic and social development. We recommit ourselves to the urgent goal of achieving gender equality, to eliminating discrimination against women and to ensuring their full participation in all areas of life and at all levels; Reaffirm that enhanced international cooperation and action at the national level are essential to the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. We underline the importance of adopting effective measures, including new financial mechanisms, as appropriate, to support the efforts of developing countries to achieve sustained economic growth, sustainable development, poverty eradication and strengthening of their democratic systems. We reaffirm that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development and that national policies have the leading role in the development process. We also reaffirm that good governance is essential to sustainable development; Recognize that ten years after Copenhagen, despite the efforts made and progress achieved in economic and social development, the situation of many developing countries, particularly in Africa and the least developed countries as well as countries with economies in transition, requires further attention and action. We renew our commitment to support national efforts to promote a favourable environment for social and economic development, including the provision of technical and financial assistance, as appropriate, including through regional and other initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development; Dedicate ourselves, a decade after Copenhagen, on the basis of our common pursuit of social development, to building solidarity, and renew our invitation to all people in all countries and in all walks of life, as well as the international community, to join in realizing our shared vision for a more just and equitable world. Therefore, we reaffirm our will and commitment to continue implementing the Declaration and Programme of Action, in particular to eradicate poverty, promote full and productive employment and foster social integration to achieve stable, safe and just societies for all. Report of the Commission for Social Development on its forty-third session and provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fourth session of the Commission At its 34th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the report of the Commission for Social Development on its forty-third session; (b) Approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fourth session of the Commission as set out below: Provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-fourth session of the Commission Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty- fourth special session of the General Assembly: (a) Priority theme: review of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006); Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on the review of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006) (b) Review of relevant United Nations plans and programmes of action pertaining to the situation of social groups: (i) World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons; (ii) World Programme of Action for Youth; (iii) Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002; (iv) Family issues, policies and programmes. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General: proposals for conducting the review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 Programme questions and other matters. Provisional agenda for the forty-fifth session of the Commission. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its forty-fourth session. Confirmation of members of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council confirmed the following six candidates for membership in the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development: (a) Tony Atkinson (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Anna Hedbord (Sweden), Amina Mama (Nigeria) and Adele Smith Simmons (United States of America) for a two-year term beginning on 1 July 2005 and expiring on 30 June 2007; (b) Christian Comeliau (Belgium/France) and Asma Jahangir (Pakistan) for a four-year term beginning on 1 July 2005 and expiring on 30 June 2009. Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification received from non-governmental organizations At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided: (a) To grant the following 105 non-governmental organizations consultative status: Special consultative status 50 & Più Fenacom Academy for Mobilizing Rural-Urban Action through Education Action internationale pour la paix et le développement dans la région des Grands Lacs Adalah — The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel Adelphi Research African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies African Women Empowerment Guild African Women's Association All India Movement for Seva Asociación Nacional Cívica Femenina Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka Association Points-Coeur Association pour la recherche sur la sclérose latérale amyothrophique et autres maladies du motoneurone Association pour le bien être des habitants de Beau Vallon Center for Cognitive Liberty and Ethics Centre d'Études Diplomatiques et Stratégiques Centre for Inquiry International Centre for Organization Research and Education Centro de Salud Familiar la Fe Cercle des dames mourides Child Foundation China Environmental Protection Foundation Citizens for Decent Housing Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants Committee for Hispanic Children and Families Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative Crime Stoppers International, Inc. Cultural Survival Ecologic Institute for International and European Environmental Policy Ecological Youth of Angola Environmental Protection and Conservation Organizations Environmental Protection Society European Solidarity Towards Equal Participation of People Fazaldad Human Rights Institute Federation of American Scientists Federation of Arab Journalists Federation of Islamic Medical Associations Feminist Club Firooznia Charity Foundation Foresight Institute Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan Foundation for the American Indian Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations Fridtjof Nansen Institute Friends of the Disabled Association Frontier Reconstruction Welfare Agency Fundación de la Solidaridad y el Voluntariado de la Comunidad Valenciana Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad Generations United Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS Global Resource Action Center for the Environment Agrenska Foundation (Grosshandlare Axel H. Ågrens Donationsfond) Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society Indian Federation of United Nations Associations Institution nationale de solidarité avec les femmes en détresse International Association of Applied Psychology International Bridges to Justice International Holistic Tourism Education Centre Internews International Kerala Rural Development Agency Landsradet for Sveriges Ungdomsorganisationer Lawyers Rights Watch Canada LIBERA — Associazioni, nomi e numeri contro le mafie Maharashtra Foundation Mata Amritandamayi Math Mauritius Council of Social Service Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials National Community Reinvestment Coalition National Council on Family Relations Netherlands Humanist Committee on Human Rights New Ways: Women for Women's Human Rights Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development Organisation du renouveau de la prise de conscience féminine Organizatia pentru Apararea Drepturilor Omului Osservatorio per la Communicazione Culturale e l'Audiovisivo nel Mediterraneo e nel Mondo Pasumai Thaayagam Foundation Peace Worldwide Project Kesher S. M. Sehgal Foundation (India) Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights Swiss Peace Foundation Tamana Association United States Federation for Middle East Peace UNANIMA International Unión de asociaciones familiares WaterAid Women Environmental Programme Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling World Russian People's Council World Water Council Yemeni Women Union Youth Association for Habitat and Agenda 21 Roster American Foundation of Savoy Orders Engine Manufacturers Association General Union Literacy Tech Foundation Nurses Across the Borders Providence Center for Humanity International Social Aid of Hellas Space Generation Advisory Council Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute Young Women's Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Enhancement Organization (b) To reclassify the following non-governmental organization from Roster to general consultative status: International Research Centre for Environmental Structures “Pio Manzu” (c) To reclassify the following non-governmental organization from Roster to special consultative status: International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (d) To note that the Committee took note of the quadrennial reports of the following 44 organizations (years of reporting indicated in parentheses): Arab Network for Environment and Development (2000-2003) Armenian Assembly of America (1999-2002) Asia Crime Prevention Foundation (2000-2003) Asian Centre for Organization, Research and Development (1999-2002) Associated Country Women of the World (1999-2002) Association for the Prevention of Torture (2000-2003) Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (1999-2002) Caritas Internationalis — International Confederation of Catholic Charities (1999-2002) Centre for Social Research (2000-2003) Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations (1999-2002) Coordination francaise du lobby européen des femmes (2000-2003) Federation of Associations of Former International Civil Servants (2000-2003) Franciscans International (1999-2002) Global Policy Forum (2000-2003) Good Neighbours International (2000-2003) Institute of Social Studies Trust (2000-2003) International Association for Religious Freedom (1999-2002) International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates (2000-2003) International Buddhist Relief Organisation (2000-2003) International Cooperation for Development and Solidarity (2000-2003) International Council on Alcohol and Addictions (2000-2003) International Federation of ACAT (Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture) (1999-2002) International Jurists Organization (Asia) (1999-2002) International Movement of Apostolate in the Independent Social Milieus (2000-2003) International Trustee Fund of the Tsyolkovsky Moscow State Aviation Technological University (1999-2002) Medical Women's International Association (1999-2002) Mukono Multi-Purpose Youth Organization (2000-2003) Network of Women's Non-Governmental Organizations in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2000-2003) Nippon International Cooperation for Community Development (2000-2003) Peace Education Foundation (2000-2003) Peaceways — Young General Assembly (2000-2003) Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (1999-2002) Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries (2000-2003) Soroptimist International (2000-2003) Stree Aadhar Kendra (Women's Development Center) (1999-2002) Sulabh International (2000-2003) Teresian Association (1999-2002) Union internationale des avocats (1999-2002) Women's Union of Russia (1999-2002) Word of Life Christian Fellowship (2000-2003) World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (2000-2003) World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (2000-2003) Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (2000-2003) (e) To note that the Committee closed the case of two complaints submitted by Member States against the following organizations: Federación de Asociaciones de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos Transnational Radical Party Suspension of consultative status At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to suspend the special consultative status of the non-governmental organization A Woman's Voice International for one year. Withdrawal of consultative status At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to withdraw the special consultative status of the non-governmental organization International Council of the Associations for Peace in the Continents. Issuance of documentation for the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of decision 2005/1 of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on the issuance of documentation for the Committee, decided to request the Secretary-General to examine the causes for persistent delays in the availability of documentation to the Committee, to take measures to address the problem and to present a report to the Committee at its 2006 regular session. Dates of the 2006 session of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations and provisional agenda At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Decided that the 2006 regular session of the Committee will be held from 19 to 27 January 2006 and its resumed session from 10 to 19 May 2006; (b) Approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the 2006 session of the Committee as set out below. Provisional agenda and documentation for the 2006 session of the Committee Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification received from non-governmental organizations: (a) Applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification deferred from the previous session of the Committee; (b) New applications for consultative status and new requests for reclassification; (c) Applications of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council who have merged with other non-governmental organizations. Quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in general and special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council: (a) Deferred quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in general and special consultative status with the Council; (b) Review of quadrennial reports submitted by non-governmental organizations in general and special consultative status with the Council. Strengthening of the Non-Governmental Organizations Section of the Secretariat. Review of the methods of work of the Committee: implementation of Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31, including the process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Council decision 1995/304: (a) Process of accreditation of representatives of non-governmental organizations; (b) Consideration of issues on the agenda of the informal working group; (c) Other related matters. Implementation of Economic and Social Council decision 2001/295. Consideration of special reports. General voluntary trust fund in support of the United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations Informal Regional Network. Provisional agenda and documentation for the 2007 session of the Committee. Adoption of the report of the Committee. Report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its 2005 regular session At its 35th plenary meeting, on 21 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations on its 2005 regular session. Enlargement of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling General Assembly resolution 1166 (XII) of 26 November 1957 in which the Assembly requested the Council to establish the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as subsequent Assembly resolutions, in which the membership of the Executive Committee was increased: (a) Took note of the request to enlarge the membership of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees contained in the letter dated 8 March 2005 from the Permanent Representative of Jordan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General; (b) Recommended that the General Assembly, at its sixtieth session, decide on the question of enlarging the membership of the Executive Committee from sixty-eight to sixty-nine States. Report of the Statistical Commission on its thirty-sixth session and provisional agenda, dates and documentation for the thirty-seventh session of the Commission At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the report of the Statistical Commission on its thirty-sixth session; (b) Decided that the thirty-seventh session of the Commission shall be held in New York from 7 to 10 March 2006; (c) Approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-seventh session of the Commission as set out below. Provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-seventh session of the Commission Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Documentation Provisional agenda and annotations Note by the Secretariat on the organization of the work of the session Note by the Secretariat on the state of preparation of documentation for the session Demographic and social statistics: (a) Population and housing censuses; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (b) Social statistics; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (c) Health statistics; Documentation Report of the World Health Organization (d) Paris Group on Labour and Compensation; Documentation Report of the Paris Group on Labour and Compensation (e) Poverty statistics. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General Report of the Rio Group on Poverty Statistics Economic statistics: (a) National accounts; Documentation Report of the Intersecretariat Working Group on National Accounts (b) Industrial statistics: programme review; Documentation Report of the programme reviewer (c) Round Table on Business Survey Frames; Documentation Report of the Round Table on Business Survey Frames (d) Energy statistics; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (e) Distributive trade statistics; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (f) International merchandise trade statistics; Documentation Report of the Task Force on International Merchandise Trade Statistics (g) Tourism statistics; Documentation Report of the World Tourism Organization (h) International Comparison Programme; Documentation Report of the World Bank (i) Service statistics; Documentation Report of the Intersecretariat Working Group on Service Statistics (j) Informal sector statistics. Documentation Report of the Delhi Group on Informal Sector Statistics Natural resources and environment statistics: (a) Environment statistics; Documentation Report of the Inter-agency Working Group on Environment Statistics (b) Environmental accounting. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General Report of the London Group on Environmental Accounting Activities not classified by field: (a) Management issues in national statistical offices; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (b) Statistics of human development; Documentation Report of the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme (c) International economic and social classifications; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (d) Statistical capacity-building; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General Report of the Steering Committee of the Partnership in Statistics for Development in the Twenty-first Century (PARIS 21) (e) Indicators; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General Report of the Friends of the Chair (f) Follow-up to Economic and Social Council policy decisions; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General (g) Coordination and integration of statistical programmes; Documentation Report of the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities (h) Programme questions (United Nations Statistics Division). Documentation Note by the Secretariat on the work programme of the Division Provisional agenda and dates for the thirty-eighth session of the Commission. Report of the Commission on its thirty-seventh session. Report of the Commission on Population and Development on its thirty-eighth session and provisional agenda for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the report of the Commission on Population and Development on its thirty-eighth session; (b) Approved the provisional agenda for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission as set out below: Provisional agenda for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Documentation Provisional agenda for the thirty-ninth session of the Commission Note by the Secretariat on the organization of the work of the session Report of the Bureau of the Commission on its intersessional meeting Follow-up actions to the recommendations of the International Conference on Population and Development. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on world population monitoring, focusing on international migration and development Report of the Secretary-General on the monitoring of population programmes focusing on international migration and development Report of the Secretary-General on the flow of financial resources for assisting in the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development General debate on national experience in population matters: international migration and development. Programme implementation and future programme of work of the Secretariat in the field of population. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on programme implementation and progress of work in the field of population, 2005 Methods of work of the Commission on Population and Development. Provisional agenda for the fortieth session of the Commission. Documentation Note by the Secretariat containing the draft provisional agenda for the fortieth session of the Commission Adoption of the report of the Commission on its thirty-ninth session. Draft resolutions recommended in the report on the fourteenth session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided not to recommend the draft resolutions contained in chapter I, section A, of the report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its fourteenth session for adoption by the General Assembly. 2005/247 Report of the Secretary-General on capital punishment and the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided: (a) To request the Secretary-General to continue collecting relevant data and information, in consultation with Governments, in particular through the analysis of questionnaires submitted by them, as well as with the specialized agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, on capital punishment and the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, and to invite Governments and relevant organizations to provide the requested information; (b) To request the Secretary-General to prepare additional quinquennial reports on the subject, pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 2857 (XXVI) of 20 December 1971 and 32/61 of 8 December 1977 and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1745 (LIV) of 16 May 1973, 1930 (LVIII) of 6 May 1975, 1989/64 of 24 May 1989, 1990/51 of 24 July 1990, 1995/57 of 28 July 1995 and 1996/15 of 23 July 1996, also for the consideration of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and, upon request, the Commission on Human Rights. 2005/248 Round table for Africa: crime and drugs as impediments to security and development in Africa: strengthening the rule of law At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling its resolution 2004/32 of 21 July 2004, entitled “Implementation of technical assistance projects in Africa by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime”, in particular paragraph 5 of that resolution, decided to request the Secretary-General: (a) To mandate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to organize, within available extrabudgetary resources, not excluding the use of existing resources from the regular budget of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and in coordination with the African Union and interested Member States, the Round Table for Africa for interested Member States, relevant agencies and institutes providing technical assistance to African States and promoting South-South cooperation; (b) To mandate the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to convene the Round table for Africa, which in principle should be held before the end of 2005. 2005/249 Report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its fourteenth session and provisional agenda and documentation for its fifteenth session At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice on its fourteenth session; (b) Approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the fifteenth session of the Commission as set out below, on the understanding that intersessional meetings will be held in Vienna to finalize the items to be included in the provisional agenda and the documentation requirements for the fifteenth session. Provisional agenda and documentation for the fifteenth session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Election of officers. (Legislative authority: Council resolution 2003/31) Adoption of the agenda and organization of work. Documentation Provisional agenda, annotations and proposed organization of work (Legislative authority: rules 5 and 7 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council and Council resolution 1992/1 and decisions 1997/232 and 2005/249) Work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Documentation Report of the Executive Director on the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolution 57/170 and Council resolutions 1992/22 and 1999/23) Report of the Secretary-General on the rule of law and development: strengthening the rule of law and the reform of criminal justice institutions, including in post-conflict reconstruction (Legislative authority: Council resolution 2004/25) Report of the open-ended expert group on ways and means of improving crime data collection, research and analysis with a view to enhancing the work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and other relevant international bodies (Legislative authority: Council resolution 2005/23) Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the institutes of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme network (Legislative authority: Council resolutions 1992/22, 1994/21 and 1999/23) Report of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Institute (Legislative authority: Council decision 1989/56) Thematic discussion. Documentation Note by the Secretariat (as required) Follow-up to the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the Eleventh United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Legislative authority: Council resolution 2005/15) International cooperation in combating transnational crime. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on international cooperation in the fight against transnational crime (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolutions 57/168, 58/169 and 59/157 and Council resolution 2005/17) Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Convention against Corruption (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolutions 40/243, 55/61, 56/186, 56/260, 57/169 and 59/155 and Council resolution 2005/18) Report of the Secretary-General on preventing, combating and punishing trafficking in human organs (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolution 59/156) Report of the Secretary-General on the study on fraud, the criminal misuse and falsification of identity and related crimes (Legislative authority: Economic and Social Council resolution 2004/26) Strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance in preventing and combating terrorism. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on strengthening international cooperation and technical assistance in promoting the implementation of the universal conventions and protocols related to terrorism within the framework of the activities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolutions 58/136, 59/153 and Council resolution 2005/19) Use and application of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice (Legislative authority: Council resolutions 1992/22 and 2004/28) Report of the Secretary-General on protection against trafficking in cultural property (Legislative authority: resolution 2004/34) Report of the Secretary-General on combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in criminal justice pre-trial and correctional facilities (Legislative authority: resolution 2004/35) Strategic management and programme questions. Documentation Report on the intersessional work of the bureau of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (Legislative authority: Council resolution 2003/31, para. Note by the Secretary-General on the proposed strategic framework of the period 2008-2009 (as required) Note by the Secretariat on nomination of members of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Institute (as required) Provisional agenda for the sixteenth session of the Commission. (Legislative authority: rule 9 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council and Council decision 2002/238 and 2005/249) 2005/250 Report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its forty-eighth session and provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-ninth session of the Commission At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs on its forty-eighth session and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-ninth session of the Commission set out below, on the understanding that intersessional meetings would be held at Vienna, at no additional cost, to finalize the items to be included in the provisional agenda and the documentation requirements for the forty-ninth session. Provisional agenda and documentation for the forty-ninth session of the Commission Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Thematic debate [theme and sub-themes to be decided]. Normative segment Follow-up to the twentieth special session of the General Assembly: general overview and progress achieved by Governments in meeting the goals and targets for 2008 set out in the Political Declaration adopted by the Assembly at its twentieth special session. Drug demand reduction: (a) Action Plan for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Drug Demand Reduction; (b) World situation with regard to drug abuse. Illicit drug traffic and supply: (a) World situation with regard to drug trafficking and action taken by the subsidiary bodies of the Commission; (b) Follow-up to the twentieth special session of the General Assembly: (i) Measures to promote judicial cooperation (extradition, mutual legal assistance, controlled delivery, trafficking by sea and law enforcement cooperation, including training); (ii) Countering money-laundering; (iii) Action Plan on International Cooperation on the Eradication of Illicit Crops and on Alternative Development. Implementation of the international drug control treaties: (a) Changes in the scope of control of substances; (b) International Narcotics Control Board; (c) Follow-up to the twentieth special session of the General Assembly: (i) Measures to prevent the illicit manufacture, import, export, trafficking, distribution and diversion of precursors used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; (ii) Action Plan against Illicit Manufacture, Trafficking and Abuse of Amphetamine-type Stimulants and Their Precursors; (d) Other matters arising from the international drug control treaties. Operational segment Policy directives to the drug programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Strengthening the drug programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs as its governing body. Administrative and budgetary questions. Provisional agenda for the fiftieth session of the Commission. Other business. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its forty-ninth session. 2005/251 Report of the International Narcotics Control Board At its 36th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2004. 2005/252 International expert group meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, indigenous participation and good governance At its 37th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to authorize a three-day international expert group meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, indigenous participation and good governance, with the participation of representatives of the United Nations system and three members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, invited other interested intergovernmental organizations, experts from indigenous organizations and interested Member States to participate as well and requested the meeting to report to the Forum at its fifth session under the special theme of that session. 2005/253 Venue and dates for the fifth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues At its 37th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided that the fifth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will be held at United Nations Headquarters from 15 to 26 May 2006. 2005/254 Provisional agenda and documentation for the fifth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues At its 37th plenary meeting, on 22 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council approved the following provisional agenda and documentation for the fifth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Provisional agenda and documentation for the fifth session of the Permanent Forum Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work. Special theme: the Millennium Development Goals and indigenous peoples: redefining the Goals: (a) Millennium Development Goals development and consultation; (b) Cross-cutting approaches to the implementation and monitoring of the Goals; (c) Follow-up on Goals 1 and 2; (d) Report of the International Expert Group Meeting on the Millennium Development Goals, Indigenous Participation and Good Governance. Documentation Note by the Secretariat and other documents to be submitted by the United Nations system Ongoing priorities and themes: (a) Discussion of the analytical paper, with a concise compilation of the recommendations of the first three sessions of the Forum and the status of their implementation at the national, regional and international levels; (b) Human rights, with special emphasis on interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of the human rights situation and fundamental freedom of indigenous people; (c) Indigenous children, youth (2003) and women (2004); (d) Data collection (2004); (e) Free, prior and informed consent (2004); (f) Half-day discussion on Africa; (g) Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People. Documentation Note by the Secretariat and other documents to be submitted by the United Nations system Future work of the Forum. Documentation Note by the Secretariat and other documents to be submitted by the United Nations system and special rapporteurs of the Forum Draft agenda for the sixth session of the Forum. Adoption of the report of the Forum on its fifth session. 2005/255 The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/2 of 7 April 2005 and endorsed the Commission's decision to establish a working group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, to be composed of five independent experts, one from each regional group, to meet intersessionally for a period of three years, with the following mandate: (a) To elaborate and present concrete proposals on possible new standards, general guidelines or basic principles encouraging the further protection of human rights, in particular the right of peoples to self-determination, while facing current and emergent threats posed by mercenaries or mercenary-related activities; (b) To seek opinions and contributions from Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on questions relating to its mandate; (c) To monitor mercenaries and mercenary-related activities in all their forms and manifestations in different parts of the world; (d) To study and identify emerging issues, manifestations and trends regarding mercenaries or mercenary-related activities and their impact on human rights, particularly on the right of peoples to self-determination; (e) To monitor and study the effects of the activities of private companies offering military assistance, consultancy and security services on the international market on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly the right of peoples to self-determination, and to prepare draft international basic principles that encourage respect for human rights on the part of those companies in their activities. The Council also endorsed the request of the Commission to the Working Group to report annually to the Commission and the General Assembly. 2005/256 The right to development At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/4 of 12 April 2005,197 approved the decision of the Commission to renew for one year the mandate of the open-ended working group established to monitor and review progress made in the promotion and implementation of the right to development and to convene its seventh session before the sixty-second session of the Commission for a period of 10 working days, 5 of which shall be allocated to the second meeting of the high-level task force on the right to development to be held well in advance of the session of the working group. 2005/257 Situation of human rights in Myanmar At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/10 of 14 April 2005,197 endorsed the Commission's decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, as contained in Commission resolution 1992/58 of 3 March 1992, for a further year, to request the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session, to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session and to integrate a gender perspective throughout his work. 2005/258 Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/11 of 14 April 2005,197 endorsed the Commission's decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as contained in Commission resolution 2004/13 of 15 April 2004, for a further year. The Council also approved the request of the Commission to the Special Rapporteur to report his findings and recommendations to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session and the request to the Secretary-General to give the Special Rapporteur all necessary assistance in the discharge of his mandate. 2005/259 Situation of human rights in Belarus At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/13 of 14 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's decision to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus for a further year, from within existing resources and requested him to continue his efforts to establish direct contacts with the Government and the people of Belarus, with a view to examining the situation of human rights in Belarus and following any progress made towards the elaboration of a programme on human rights education for all sectors of society, in particular law enforcement, the judiciary, prison officials and civil society, and to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to give the Special Rapporteur all necessary assistance in the discharge of his mandate. 2005/260 Effects of economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of all human rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/19 of 14 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's decision to request the independent expert to report to the General Assembly on the issue of the effects of economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide the independent expert with all necessary assistance, in particular the staff and resources required to carry out his functions, as well as to facilitate his participation in and contribution to the follow-up process of the International Conference on Financing for Development, including in the multi-stakeholder consultations to be organized in 2005 on issues relevant to his mandate. 2005/261 The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/24 of 15 April 2005,197 and approved the Commission's decision to extend for a period of three years the mandate of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. 2005/262 Enforced or involuntary disappearances At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/27 of 19 April 2005,197 and approved the Commission's request that the intersessional open-ended working group to elaborate a draft legally binding normative instrument for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearance meet for a period of 10 days in one formal session before the end of 2005 with a view to the completion of its work and report to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/263 Independence and impartiality of the judiciary, jurors and assessors and the independence of lawyers At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/33 of 19 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's decision to request the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to submit a report on the activities relating to his mandate to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General, within the limits of the United Nations regular budget, to provide the Special Rapporteur with any assistance needed for the discharge of his mandate. 2005/264 The right to freedom of opinion and expression At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/38 of 19 April 2005,197 and approved the decision of the Commission to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression for a further three years and its request to the Special Rapporteur to submit a report each year to the Commission covering activities relating to his mandate. 2005/265 Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/39 of 19 April 2005,197 and approved the request of the Commission to the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session on the overall trends and developments with regard to his mandate and a full report to the Commission at its sixty-second session, including all replies sent by Governments that are received in any of the official languages of the United Nations. 2005/266 Elimination of violence against women At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/41 of 19 April 2005,197 and requested the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences to present an oral report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session. 2005/267 Human rights of migrants At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/47 of 19 April 2005,197 and approved the decision of the Commission to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants for a period of three years. It also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to give the Special Rapporteur all the necessary human and financial assistance for the fulfilment of his/her mandate. 2005/268 Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/49 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's recommendation to authorize the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to meet for five working days prior to the fifty-seventh session of the Subcommission. The Council also authorized the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the twenty-second session of the Working Group to submit the report on that session to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at its fourth session in 2005. 2005/269 Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to elaborate a draft declaration in accordance with paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994 At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/50 of 20 April 2005,197 and authorized the Working Group established in accordance with Commission resolution 1995/32 of 3 March 1995 to meet for a period of 10 working days prior to the sixty-second session of the Commission, stipulating that the costs of the meeting would be met from within existing resources. 2005/270 Human rights and indigenous issues At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/51 of 20 April 2005,197 and requested the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, to submit a report on his activities to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/271 Human rights and international solidarity At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/55 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to appoint an independent expert on human rights and international solidarity for a period of three years to study the issue and prepare a draft declaration on the right of peoples to international solidarity, taking into account the outcomes of all major United Nations and other global summits and ministerial meetings in the economic and social fields and seeking views and contributions from Governments, United Nations agencies, other relevant international organizations and non-governmental organizations. The Council also approved the request of the Commission to the independent expert to report annually to the Commission on the progress made in the fulfilment of his/her mandate. The Council also approved the Commission's request to the independent expert to report each year to the Commission on the progress made in the realization of his mandate. 2005/272 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance and the comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/64 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance for a period of three years. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the necessary human and financial assistance to carry out his mandate efficiently, effectively and expeditiously and to enable him to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/273 Human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/69 of 20 April 2005,197 and approved the request of the Commission to the Secretary-General to appoint a special representative on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, for an initial period of two years, to undertake the activities set out in that resolution. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene annually, in cooperation with the Special Representative, a meeting with senior executives from companies and experts from a particular sector, such as the pharmaceutical, extractive or chemical industries, to consider, within the mandate of the Special Representative, the specific human rights issues faced by those sectors, to raise awareness and share best practice, and to report on the outcome of the first meeting to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/274 Composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/72 of 20 April 2005,197 and decided to draw the attention of the General Assembly to that resolution in the context of the consideration of the agenda item on human resources management. The Council further endorsed the Commission's: (a) Invitation to the General Assembly and its appropriate subsidiary bodies, inter alia, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, the Committee for Programme and Coordination and the Fifth Committee of the Assembly, to give due consideration to Commission resolution 2005/72 and to the report of the Joint Inspection Unit entitled “Management review of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights”, transmitted to the Assembly in a note by the Secretary-General, in particular to any other organization, management, executive direction, structure, administrative, financial and more technical human resources management issues and recommendations contained therein and not addressed in resolution 2005/72; (b) Request to the Joint Inspection Unit to assist the Commission on Human Rights to monitor systematically the implementation of Commission resolution 2005/72 and to submit a follow-up comprehensive review of the implementation of the decisions of the Commission and other United Nations intergovernmental bodies regarding the management, programmes and administration of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in particular with regard to their impact on the recruitment policies and the composition of the staff, to the Commission at its sixty-third session and to the General Assembly at its sixty-first session, containing any concrete proposals for corrective action, if required, for the implementation of the relevant intergovernmental bodies' resolutions, including Commission resolution 2005/72. 2005/275 Advisory services and technical assistance for Burundi At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/75 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to request the independent expert to continue to study the situation of human rights in Burundi, and to request him to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and report thereon to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/276 Assistance to Sierra Leone in the field of human rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/76 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session on assistance to Sierra Leone in the field of human rights, with specific reference to the Human Rights Section of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. 2005/277 Technical cooperation and advisory services in Nepal At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/78 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit a report on the human rights situation and the activities of her Office, including technical cooperation, in Nepal to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/278 Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/79 of 21 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's request to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to appoint an independent expert on minority issues for a period of two years, with the mandate: (a) To promote the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, including through consultations with Governments, taking into account existing international standards and national legislation concerning minorities; (b) To identify best practices and possibilities for technical cooperation by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the request of Governments; (c) To apply a gender perspective in his or her work; (d) To cooperate closely, while avoiding duplication, with existing relevant United Nations bodies, mandates, mechanisms as well as regional organizations; (e) To take into account the views of non-governmental organizations on matters pertaining to his or her mandate. The Council also endorsed the request of the Commission to the independent expert to submit annual reports on his/her activities to the Commission, including recommendations for effective strategies for the better implementation of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. The Council further endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide all the necessary resources, from within existing budgetary resources, for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the independent expert. The Council endorsed the decision of the Commission to amend the mandate of the Working Group on Minorities of the Subcommission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights with a view to the Working Group holding one session of three consecutive working days annually during the time of the annual session of the Subcommission, focusing its work on interactive dialogue with relevant non-governmental organizations and on conceptual support of, and dialogue with, the independent expert, who shall participate as an observer. 2005/279 Protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/80 of 21 April 2005,197 and approved the decision of the Commission to appoint a special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism for a period of three years with the mandate contained in that resolution. The Council also approved the request of the Commission to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to report regularly on the implementation of resolution 2005/80 to the Commission and to the General Assembly. 2005/280 Situation of human rights in the Sudan At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/82 of 21 April 2005,197 and approved the Commission's decision to establish the mandate of a special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Sudan for one year to monitor the situation of human rights in the Sudan, and to request the Special Rapporteur to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session. The Council also endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all necessary assistance to enable him or her to discharge his or her mandate fully. 2005/281 Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/83 of 21 April 2005,197 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to extend the mandate of the independent expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Somalia for a further year and its request to the independent expert to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session. The Council also approved the request of the Commission to the Secretary-General to continue to provide the independent expert with all necessary assistance in carrying out his mandate and to provide adequate resources, from within existing overall United Nations resources, to fund the activities of the independent expert and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in providing advisory services and technical assistance. 2005/282 Technical cooperation and advisory services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/85 of 21 April 2005,197 and approved the decision of the Commission: (a) To extend the mandate of the independent expert to provide assistance to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the field of human rights for one year and to request the Secretary-General to provide all necessary assistance to enable the independent expert to fulfil his mandate; (b) To request the independent expert to submit a progress report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to report to the Commission at its sixty-second session; (c) To renew its request to the Secretary-General that he should provide advisory services to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the field of human rights. 2005/283 Corruption and its impact on the full enjoyment of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/104 of 15 April 2005, and endorsed the decision of the Commission to request the Secretary-General to facilitate the work of the Special Rapporteur to undertake an in-depth study on corruption and its impact on the full enjoyment of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, by enabling her to attend the meetings of the “Friends of the United Nations Convention against Corruption”, which take place in Vienna. 2005/284 Study on non-discrimination as enshrined in article 2, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/105 of 15 April 2005,200 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to appoint Mr. Marc Bossuyt as Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to undertake a study on non-discrimination as enshrined in article 2, paragraph 2, of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, based on the working paper prepared by Mr. Emmanuel Decaux, on the comments received and the discussions held at the fifty-sixth session of the Subcommission, and in close cooperation with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and to request the Special Rapporteur to submit a preliminary report to the Subcommission at its fifty-seventh session, an interim report at its fifty-eighth session and a final report at its fifty-ninth session. The Council also approved the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with all the necessary assistance to enable him to carry out his mandate. 2005/285 Promotion of the realization of the right to drinking water and sanitation At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/106 of 15 April 2005,200 and endorsed the Commission's request that the reports of the Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on the conduct of a detailed study on the relationship between the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights and the promotion of the realization of the right to drinking water supply and sanitation at the national and international levels be published in the official languages of the United Nations. 2005/286 Terrorism and human rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/107 of 19 April 2005,200 and endorsed the Commission's recommendation that a compilation into a comprehensive document of all the reports and documents submitted to date by the Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on terrorism and human rights be published as a United Nations publication as part of the Human Rights Study Series. 2005/287 The difficulty of establishing guilt and/or responsibility with regard to crimes of sexual violence At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/108 of 19 April 2005,200 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to appoint Ms. Lalaina Rakotoarisoa as Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, entrusted with preparing a detailed study on the difficulties of establishing guilt and/or responsibilities with regard to crimes of sexual violence, and to request the Special Rapporteur to submit to the Subcommission a preliminary report at its fifty-seventh session, an interim report at its fifty-eighth session and a final report at its fifty-ninth session. The Council also approved the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with any assistance she may require to carry out her mandate. 2005/288 Discrimination based on work and descent At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/109 of 19 April 2005,200 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to appoint Mr. Yozo Yokota and Ms. Chin-Sung Chung as Special Rapporteurs of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights with the task of preparing a comprehensive study on discrimination based on work and descent, on the basis of the three working papers submitted to the Subcommission on this topic, the comments made during the sessions of the Subcommission at which those working papers were submitted and the provisions of Subcommission resolution 2004/17 of 12 August 2004, as well as on the basis of responses from Governments, national human rights institutions, relevant organs and agencies of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations to a questionnaire to be elaborated and circulated by the Special Rapporteurs. The Council also approved the request of the Commission to the Special Rapporteur to submit a preliminary report to the Subcommission at its fifty-seventh session, a progress report at its fifty-eighth session and a final report at its fifty-ninth session, and the request to the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide the Special Rapporteurs with all the assistance necessary to enable them to accomplish this task. 2005/289 Final report on the study on indigenous peoples' permanent sovereignty over natural resources At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/110 of 20 April 2005,200 and endorsed the Commission's recommendation to authorize the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene an expert seminar during 2005, to which representatives of indigenous peoples and Governments as well as the Special Rapporteur of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights will be invited, in order to give further attention to and to discuss in detail the many political, legal, economic, social and cultural aspects relating to the study on indigenous peoples' permanent sovereignty over natural resources as well as to the study entitled “Indigenous peoples and their relationship to land”. The Council also endorsed the Commission's recommendation that the studies of the Special Rapporteur be issued as United Nations publications as part of the Human Rights Study Series. 2005/290 Enhancing and strengthening the effectiveness of the special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/113 of 21 April 2005,200 and endorsed the decision of the Commission to request the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize an open-ended seminar during 2005, from within existing resources, in consultation with the expanded Bureau of the Commission, as part of the effort to enhance and strengthen the effectiveness of the special procedures and to submit a report on the implementation of decision 2005/113 to the Commission at its sixty-second session. 2005/291 Dates of the sixty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/114 of 21 April 2005,200 and endorsed the Commission's decision that the first meeting of the Commission would be held on the third Monday in January, with the sole purpose of electing its officers, and that the sixty-second session of the Commission would be held from 13 March to 21 April 2006. 2005/292 Organization of work of the sixty-second session of the Commission on Human Rights At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of Commission on Human Rights decision 2005/115 of 21 April 2005,200 and authorized six fully serviced additional meetings, including summary records, in accordance with rules 29 and 31 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Council, for the Commission's sixty-second session. The Council also requested the Chairperson of the sixty-second session of the Commission to make every effort to organize the work of the session within the time normally allotted so that the additional meetings which the Council might authorize would be utilized only if they proved to be absolutely necessary. 2005/293 Technical cooperation in the field of human rights in Afghanistan At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the statement of the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights at the sixtieth meeting of the Commission, on 21 April 2005, on technical cooperation in the field of human rights in Afghanistan, which was adopted by consensus and endorsed the Commission's request to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that she report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session and to the Commission at its sixty-second session on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and on the results of technical assistance in the field of human rights, in particular as regards the development of national capacities in the field. 2005/294 Situation of human rights in Haiti At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the statement on the situation of human rights in Haiti made by the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights at its 60th meeting, on 21 April 2005, and agreed on by consensus by the Commission, and approved the Commission's request to the independent expert to continue his mission and to report at the sixty-second session of the Commission. 2005/295 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide At its 38th plenary meeting, on 25 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/62 of 20 April 2005,197 and endorsed the Commission's request to the Secretary-General to make available to the Commission at its sixty-second session a report on the implementation of his five-point action plan and on the activities of the Special Adviser on the prevention of genocide as well as its invitation to the Special Adviser to address the Commission at its sixty-second and sixty-third sessions on the progress made in discharging his duties. 2005/296 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with social and human rights questions At its 38th and 40th plenary meetings, on 25 and 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the following documents: Under sub-item 14 (a) Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Report of the Executive Board of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women on the work of its second session Under sub-item 14 (g) The report of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on its thirty-second and thirty-third sessions The report of the Commission on Human Rights on its sixty-first session Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Under sub-item 14 (h) Report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on its fourth session 2005/297 Venue of the sixty-second session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific At its 39th plenary meeting, on 26 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, considering the recommendation of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific to accept the invitation of the Government of Indonesia to host the sixty-second session of the Commission, (a) Expressed its gratitude to the Government of Indonesia for its generous offer to host the sixty-second session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; (b) Approved the holding of the sixty-second session of the Commission in Indonesia in 2006. 2005/298 Human settlements At its 39th plenary meeting, on 26 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling its relevant resolutions on the coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda, (a) Took note of the report of the Secretary-General on the coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda; (b) Decided to transmit the report to the General Assembly for consideration at its sixtieth session; (c) Requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the coordinated implementation of the Habitat Agenda for consideration by the Council at its substantive session of 2006. 2005/299 Report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its forty-ninth session and provisional agenda and documentation for the fiftieth session of the Commission At its 39th plenary meeting, on 26 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its forty-ninth session and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the fiftieth session of the Commission set out below: Provisional agenda and documentation for the fiftieth session of the Commission Election of officers. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Documentation Annotated provisional agenda and proposed organization of work Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and to the special session of the General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”: Documentation Proposals for a multi-year programme of work on the Commission on the Status of Women, 2007-2011 Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan Report on the joint workplan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women on the activities of the Fund to eliminate violence against women Note by the Secretariat transmitting the results of the thirty-fourth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (a) Review of gender mainstreaming in entities of the United Nations system; Documentation Report of the Secretary-General on measures taken and progress achieved in the follow-up to and implementation of the Fourth World Conference on Women and to the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, with an assessment of progress made in mainstreaming a gender perspective within the United Nations system (b) Emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting the situation of women or equality between women and men; (c) Implementation of strategic objectives and action in critical areas of concern and further actions and initiatives: (i) Enhanced participation of women in development: an enabling environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of women, taking into account, inter alia, the fields of education, health and work; (ii) Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels. Documentation Enhanced participation of women in development: an enabling environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of women, taking into account, inter alia, the fields of education, health and work (thematic issue before the Commission) Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels (thematic issue before the Commission) Note by the Bureau of the Commission: discussion guide on the high-level round table of the Commission Communications concerning the status of women. Documentation Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the list of confidential communications concerning the status of women Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the list of non-confidential communications concerning the status of women Follow-up to Economic and Social Council resolutions and decisions. Documentation Letter from the President of the Economic and Social Council addressed to the Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women Note by the Secretariat as an input to the high-level segment of the 2006 substantive session of the Economic and Social Council Provisional agenda for the fifty-first session of the Commission. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its fiftieth session. 2005/300 Theme for the 2006 high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Council decided to defer consideration of the theme for the 2006 high-level segment of the Economic and Social Council to a later date. 2005/301 United Nations Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the third annual report of the United Nations Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Task Force; (b) Welcomed the valuable contribution of the Task Force to preparations for the Tunis phase of the World Summit on the Information Society and to mainstreaming information and communication technologies into development as a powerful tool that can help to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. 2005/302 Implementation of resolutions concerning the participation of associate member countries of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in the follow-up to United Nations world conferences and in the work of the Economic and Social Council At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, following consideration of resolution III contained in the report of the Secretary-General on regional cooperation in the economic, social or related fields, noted receipt of the resolution and decided not to take action on the matter. 2005/303 Documents considered under the regional cooperation item At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the following documents: Addendum to the report of the Secretary-General on regional cooperation in the economic, social and related fields on matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention Report of the Secretary-General on regional cooperation in the economic, social and related fields (2005) Addendum to the report of the Secretary-General on regional cooperation in the economic, social and related fields: matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention (2005) Summary of the Economic Survey of Europe, 2005: economic situation in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States in 2004-2005 Overview of the Economic Report on Africa 2005: “Meeting the Challenges of Unemployment and Poverty in Africa” Summary of the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific, 2005 Summary of the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean, 2004 Summary of the Survey of Economic and Social Developments in the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia region, 2005 Project for a Europe-Africa permanent link through the Strait of Gibraltar 2005/304 Document considered under the item entitled “Economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan” At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council took note of the note of the Secretary-General on the economic and social repercussions of the Israeli occupation on the living conditions of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan. 2005/305 Promoting coordination and consolidation of the work of the functional commissions At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling General Assembly resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, its agreed conclusions 2002/1 and resolution 2004/63 of 23 July 2004, and taking note of the consolidated report of the Secretary-General on the work of the functional commissions in 2005: Requested the Secretary-General to submit to the Economic and Social Council a consolidated report on the work of the functional commissions in 2006. 2005/306 Report of the Committee for Development Policy At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to defer consideration of the report of the Committee for Development Policy to a later date, with a view to concluding its deliberations before the commencement of the eighth session of the Committee. 2005/307 Extension of the mandate of the Gender Advisory Board At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to extend the mandate of the Gender Advisory Board for a further five years, through the continued use of extrabudgetary funding, beginning from 1 January 2006, to allow it to complete its programme of work within the extrabudgetary resources allocated for this purpose. 2005/308 Methods of work of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council, recalling General Assembly resolution 57/270 B of 23 June 2003, in which the Assembly requested each functional commission of the Economic and Social Council to examine its methods of work in order to better pursue the implementation of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits and to report to the Council no later than 2005 on the outcome of that examination and welcomed the innovative means used by the Commission on Science and Technology for Development to improve the effectiveness, outreach and impact of its work, particularly by involving eminent experts, such as Nobel laureates, by relying on electronic means, such as the Science and Technology for Development Network, and by establishing an international network of science and technology institutions, decided: (a) That the Commission, in order to fulfil its mandate, would adopt a biennial programme of work beginning at its ninth session, in the first year focusing on policy analyses and in the second year focusing on operational aspects and implementation, and that the Commission should strengthen the connection between its review of implementation and its policy recommendations; (b) That the Commission should encourage the active participation of civil society and the private sector in its panels, electronic working groups and annual sessions; (c) That the Commission should strengthen collaboration with other functional commissions of the Council, for example through cooperation and coordination between the various substantive secretariats and bureaux, particularly in the context of integrated and coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summits in the economic and social fields. 2005/309 Report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its eighth session and provisional agenda and documentation for the ninth session of the Commission At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council: (a) Took note of the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its eighth session; (b) Approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the ninth session of the Commission as set out below. Provisional agenda and documentation for the ninth session of the Commission Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. Substantive theme: Bridging the technology gap between and within nations. Documentation Report of the Secretary-General Implementation of and progress made on decisions taken at the eighth session of the Commission. Documentation Note by the Secretariat National country reports. Election of the Chairperson and other officers for the tenth session of the Commission. Provisional agenda and documentation for the tenth session of the Commission. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its ninth session. 2005/310 Public administration and development At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to defer consideration of the report of the Committee of Experts on Public Administration on its fourth session to a resumed substantive session. 2005/311 International cooperation in tax matters At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to defer consideration of the sub-item “International cooperation in tax matters” to the organizational session of the Council for 2006. 2005/312 Documents considered by the Economic and Social Council in connection with economic and environmental questions At its 40th plenary meeting, on 27 July 2005, the Economic and Social Council decided to take note of the following reports: Under sub-item (d) The report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme on its twentieth session Under sub-item (e) The report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Ministerial Environment Forum on its twenty-third session Under sub-item (j) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations related to assistance to third States affected by the application of sanctions Note by the Secretary-General on assistance to third States affected by the application of sanctions See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-ninth Session, Supplement No. 49 (A/59/49 (vol. I) and corrigendum). United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1249, No. 20378. E/CN.5/2002/4, annex. General Assembly resolution 48/96, annex. A/37/351/Add.1 and Corr.1, annex, sect. VIII, recommendations I (IV). Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.8), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. General Assembly resolution S-24/2, annex. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. Resolutions 1991/70 of 26 July 1991, 1992/60 of 31 July 1992, 1993/56 of 29 July 1993, 1994/46 of 29 July 1994, 1995/61 of 28 July 1995, 1996/35 of 25 July 1996, 1997/1 of 18 July 1997, 1998/29 of 29 July 1998, 1999/58 of 30 July 1999, 2000/28 of 28 July 2000, 2001/24 of 26 July 2001, 2002/35 of 26 July 2002, 2003/48 of 24 July 2003 and 2004/51 of 23 July 2004. Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul, 3-14 June 1996 (United Nations publication, Sales No. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex I. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1582, No. 27627. General Assembly resolution 58/4, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. The present model agreement may be useful for the implementation of other relevant instruments developed in multilateral forums to which the parties to the agreement may also be parties, such as the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (General Assembly resolution 54/109, annex) and the 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force against Money Laundering. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex I. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1582, No. 27627. General Assembly resolution 58/4, annex. It may be necessary to insert a specific provision in the agreement regarding the return of works of art or archeological objects that have been purchased or exported illegally from their country of origin. Where the domestic law of a State requires it to sell confiscated proceeds of crime or property and only permits it to share funds, this provision may be unnecessary. This may be upon signature, ratification, publication in a legal gazette or by other means. General Assembly resolution 55/2. A/59/565 and Corr.1. A/CONF.203/18, chap. I, resolution 1. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex I. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex II. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex III. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. General Assembly resolution 55/59, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. General Assembly resolution 59/290, annex. A/CONF.203/18, chap. I, resolution 1. A/59/754-S/2005/197, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. E/CN.15/2005/14/Add.1. A/CONF.203/18, chap. I, resolution 1. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex. General Assembly resolution 40/34, annex. Resolution 2002/13, annex. General Assembly resolution 55/59, annex. General Assembly resolution 56/261, annex. A/CONF.203/18, chap. I, resolution 1. A/59/565 and Corr.1. General Assembly resolution 55/25, annex I. Ibid., annexes II and III, and 55/255, annex. A/CONF.203/18/chap. I, resolution 1. Resolution 2002/13, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. A/CONF.203/18, chap. I, resolution 1. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. Resolution S-20/2, annex. Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2004 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1999 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2004 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.05.XI.3), para. Ibid., para. Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1999 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.00.XI.1), para. Ibid., para. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 520, No. 7515. Ibid., vol. 976, No. 14152. A/58/124, chap. II, sect. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 520, No. 7515. Ibid., vol. 976, No. 14152. General Assembly resolution S-20/2, annex. General Assembly resolution 54/132, annex. General Assembly resolutions S-20/4, A to E. E/CN.7/2005/2 and Add.1-6. S/2003/641, annex. Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 44/20, annex. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 22 (E/2005/42). General Assembly resolution 217 A (III). See General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. General Assembly resolution 2106 A (XX), annex. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1465, No. 24841. Ibid., vol. 1577, No. 27531. See Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1915). United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1125, No. 17512. Official Records of the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court, 15 June-17 July 1998, vol. II: Final documents (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.02.I.5), sect. Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-second Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/52/3/Rev.1), chap. IV, para. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II. General Assembly resolutions S-23/2 and S-23/3. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 7 and corrigendum (E/2005/27 and Corr.1), chap. See Council of Europe, Parliamentary Assembly, fortieth ordinary session (third part), 30 January-3 February 1989, Texts adopted by the Assembly, Strasbourg, France, 1989. See note by the secretariat LC/L.2254 (PLEN.23/3). Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-eighth Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/58/3), chap. III, para. Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.85.IV.10), chap. I, sect. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II. See General Assembly resolution S-23/2 and S-23/3. See General Assembly resolution 48/104. See A/ES-10/273 and Corr.1. General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1577, No. 27531. General Assembly resolution 217 A (III). See Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, The Hague Conventions and Declarations of 1899 and 1907 (New York, Oxford University Press, 1915). United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. A/CONF.191/13, chap. Ibid., chap. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. General Assembly resolution S-26/2, annex. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. E/2005/47 and Corr.1. See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1998, Supplement No. 21 (E/1998/41), chap. III, sect. E/ESCWA/23/4 (Part II). E/2005/15/Add.1, chap. I, sect. C, draft resolution I. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1577, No. 27531. See A/ES-10/273 and Corr.1. See commissionforafrica.org. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 11 (E/2005/31), chap. I.A, draft resolution, annex. General Assembly resolution 55/2. ST/SG/AC.10/32/Add.1 and 2. ST/SG/AC.10/1/Rev.14. ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.4. http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/danger.htm. Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August-4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 2, annex. Ibid. United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.E.25 and Corr.1. United Nations publication, Sales No. ST/SG/AC.10/32/Add.3. ST/SG/AC.10/30/Rev.1. E/2003/46, para. A/60/62-E/2005/10, annex. Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixtieth Session, Supplement No. 16 and Corrigendum (A/60/16 and Corr.1). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 9 (E/2005/29). The complete report will be issued as document E/CONF.96/3. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. General Assembly resolution S-23/2, annex, and resolution S-23/3, annex. Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, 6-12 March 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.8), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. General Assembly resolution S-24/2, annex. See General Assembly resolution 55/2. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 6 (E/2005/26). See E/2005/32 (Part II), chap. E/2005/32 (Part I) will be issued subsequently with E/2005/32 (Part II) as Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 12 (E/2005/32). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 4 (E/2005/24). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 5 (E/2005/25). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 10 (E/2005/30), chap. I.A, draft resolutions I-VI. See Council resolutions 2005/14-2005/19. See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1984, Supplement No. 1 (E/1984/84), resolution 1984/50, annex. This new language does not provide a basis for an increase in the regular budget or requests for supplemental increases. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 10 (E/2005/30). The report will be issued subsequently in final form as Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 8 (E/2005/28/Rev.1). Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2004 (United Nations publication, Sales No. Goals 3 to 8 will be addressed through indigenous approaches to cultural diversity, traditional knowledge and human rights; this applies equally to Millennium Development Goals country reports and poverty reduction strategy papers. See E/2005/23 (Part I), chap. A/59/65-E/2004/48 and Add.1. See E/2005/23 (Part I), chap. See General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/24. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/10, E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/WP.3 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/20. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/16, E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/24 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/31. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2004/30. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2001/21. A/60/38 (Part I). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 2 (E/2005/22). E/2005/23 (Part I). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 23 and corrigenda (E/2005/43 and Corr.1 and 2). See E/2005/15/Add.1, chap. I.A, draft decision. Report of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Istanbul, 3-14 June 1996 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.97.IV.6), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 27 and corrigendum (E/2005/27 and Corr.1). See General Assembly resolution 55/2. E/2004/15/Add.2. E/2004/15/Add.2. E/2005/15/Add.1. See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-seventh Session, Supplement No. 3 (A/57/3/Rev.1), chap. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 33 (E/2005/33). http://www.unctad.org/stdev. Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 11 (E/2005/31). Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2005, Supplement No. 24 (E/2005/44). Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixtieth Session, Supplement No. 8 (A/60/8). Ibid., Supplement No. 25 and No.