Establishment of a network for the exchange of technological information.

31. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE*
183. Establishment of a network for the exchange of technological information

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of 1 May 1974, 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974 and 3362 (S-VII) of 16 September 1975, Taking into account resolution 87 (IV) of 30 May 1976 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development,[1] concerning strengthening the technological capacity of developing countries, Bearing in mind its resolution 3507 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 on institutional arrangements in the field of the transfer of technology, particularly paragraphs 2, 5 and 6 thereof, Noting Economic and Social Council resolution 1902 (LVII) of 1 August 1974 on the role of an international technological information system in the transfer and assessment of technology and in the indigenous growth of appropriate technologies in developing countries, Acknowledging that the Economic and Social Council, in its decision 171 (LXI) of 4 August 1976, noted with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General on the establishment of a network for the exchange of technological information,[2] as a first step in the implementation of General Assembly resolution 3507 (XXX), and decided to transmit the report to the Assembly for consideration at its thirty-first session,

1. Reaffirms the importance of wider dissemination of scientific and technological information for the purpose of allowing developing countries access to research findings which are of interest to them as well as project experience of other developing countries, thus permitting the selection of technologies essential for their industrial growth and promoting the development of their own technological capacity;

2. Compliments the Secretary-General on the report transmitted by the Economic and Social Council and requests that he convey the thanks of the General Assembly to members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Information Exchange and the Transfer of Technology who have undertaken to prepare the plan for the establishment of a network for the exchange of technological information;

3. Takes note with satisfaction of the report and its conclusions,[3] especially as they relate to the importance of establishing a network useful to all countries, in particular developing countries;

4. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Executive Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, in consultation with the regional commissions and other appropriate organizations, to intensify their efforts, in their respective fields, to assist in the establishment in developing countries of centres for the transfer and development of technology at the national, sub-regional and regional levels, in order to provide fundamental elements for the adequate functioning of an international network for the exchange of technological information, through corresponding national, sub-regional and regional systems of information;

5. Also requests the Secretary-General and the Interagency Task Force to continue their work in accordance with paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 3507 (XXX), including the preparation and publication of the pilot directory of United Nations information services mentioned in the report,[4] and to submit further conclusions and recommendations on the establishment of a network for the exchange of technological information to the Assembly at its thirty-second session;

6. Further requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Interagency Task Force, to provide, within the existing capacity of the Secretariat, the necessary administrative services for carrying out, as far as is possible at present, the recommendations of the report;

7. Requests the Secretary-General and the Interagency Task Force to ascertain the availability of current inventories of information capabilities at the national, regional and international levels in terms of information sources, means of access to information and information-related services;

8. Urges the Secretary-General and the Interagency Task Force to identify by means of those inventories any deficiencies that might inhibit the setting up of the network and to recommend to the General Assembly at its thirty-second session, through the Economic and Social Council, measures to remedy these deficiencies;

9. Welcomes the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization on the establishment of an industrial technological information bank[5] and urges the Industrial Development Board to take an early decision so that the Executive Director will be able to take the necessary measures towards making the bank operational, and to report on the measures taken to the General Assembly at its thirty-second session through the Economic and Social Council.

106th plenary meeting
21 December 1976

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[1] See Proceedings of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Fourth Session, vol. 1, Report and Annexes (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.1I.D.10), part one, sect. A. [2] E/5839. [3] Ibid., sect. IV. [4] Ibid., para. 76 (a). [5] A/31/147.