Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification.

35. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED ON THE REPORTS OF THE SECOND COMMITTEE
72. Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 32/170 of 10 December 1977, 32/172 of 19 December 1977, 33/88 and 33/89 of 15 December 1978 and 34/184, 34/185 and 34/187 of 18 December 1979, Recalling also section II of Economic and Social Council resolution 1978/37 of 21 July 1978 and Council resolutions 1979/51 of 2 August 1979 and 1980/52 of 23 July 1980, Noting decision 8/17 of 29 April 1980 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme[1] and decision 80/45 of 30 June 1980 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme,[2] Having considered:

(a) The report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification,[3]

(b) The report of the Secretary-General on the restoration and improvement of the Fouta-Djallon massif,[4]

Reiterating its concern over the particular seriousness of desertification in the Sudano-Sahelian region and the severe effects on the region's economic and social development and on the way of life of its population, as well as the need for the implementation in the region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification on an intensified and sustained basis,

1. Takes note of the report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification and the report of the Secretary-General on the restoration and improvement of the Fouta-Djallon massif;

2. Takes note with satisfaction of the progress made by the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in assisting the Governments of the region, under a joint venture of the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Development Programme, in implementing the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification;

3. Commends the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for the effective and co-ordinated manner in which they have continued to support the joint venture;

4. Notes with satisfaction the addition of Djibouti, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the list of countries to be assisted by the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in their efforts to implement the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification, and the inclusion of the pilot project for the improvement and restoration of the Fouta-Djallon massif within the programme of action of the United Nations Environment Programme against desertification;

5. Invites the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme to examine at its next session the possibility of including Benin in the list of countries which receive assistance, through the United Nations Sudano-Sabelian Office, in implementing in the Sudano-Sahelian region the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification and to report on this matter to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session;

6. Also notes with satisfaction the decisions of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme to expand and strengthen their support to the joint venture and invites them to continue their support so that the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office may carry out its expanded responsibilities at a level commensurate with the pressing needs of the region;

7. Urges all Governments, organizations of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental bodies, private organizations and individuals to respond favourably, bilaterally or through the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office or any other intermediary, to requests from the Governments concerned of the region for assistance in combating desertification;'

8. Welcomes, in this regard, the inclusion of the programmes of the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office among those considered at the United Nations Pledging Conference for Development Activities and urges all Governments and donor organizations to consider contributing to the United Nations Trust Fund for Sudano-Sahelian Activities;

9. Requests the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme to continue to report annually to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification.

83rd plenary meeting
5 December 1980

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[1] See Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirty-fifth Session, Supplement No, 25 (A/35/25), annex I. [2] See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1980, Supplement No. 12 (E/1980/42/Rev.1), chap. XI. [3] A/35/411, annex, sect. Ill. [4] A/35/368.