E/ECA/CM.22/CRP2
28 April 1996

INTRODUCTION

1. The objective of this document is to inform TEPCOW and, through it, the Conference of Ministers on:

(a) The actions taken by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at its substantive session of 1995 held in Geneva from 26 June to 28 July 1995 on the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Ministers at its twenty-first meeting which called for action by the Council;

(b) Other resolutions and decisions of ECOSOC and the General Assembly in the economic and social sectors that are of interest to Africa adopted during their 1995 sessions.

A. Actions taken by the Economic and Social Council on the resolutions adopted by the Conference of Ministers

2. The thirtieth session of the Commission/twenty-first meeting of the Conference of Ministers responsible for economic and social development and planning was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1 to 3 May 1995. It had adopted 15 resolutions, a special memorandum, a declaration and a motion. Two of these resolutions called for action by ECOSOC. These were resolutions 804 (XXX) entitled "Implementation of phase II of the programme for the second United Nations Transport and Communication Decade in Africa (UNTACDA II)" and 807 (XXX) entitled "Programme of work and priorities for the biennium 1996-1997".

3. During the ECOSOC session, member States sought clarification on both resolutions. Amendments were proposed as follows:

Resolution 804 (XXX): Implementation of phase II of the programme for the second United Nations Transport and Communications Decade in Africa (UNTACDA II).

(a) Operative paragraph 4 was amended to read: "Invites the United Nations Development Programme to consider favourably increasing the level of its support of UNTACDA II".

(b) Operative paragraph 6 was amended to read: "Invites the United Nations General Assembly to consider providing additional resources within the regular budget of the Economic Commission for Africa ..."

The resolution was adopted, as amended, as ECOSOC resolution 1995/23.

Resolution 807 (XXX): Programme of work and priorities for the biennium 1996-1997

Operative paragraph 4 was amended to read: "Urgently appeals to the General Assembly to consider the possibility of converting, within existing resources, the grant to the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning to established core posts ..."

The resolution was adopted, as amended, as ECOSOC resolution 1995/24.

B. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and

Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 and by the General Assembly at its fiftieth session

1. Resolutions and decisions adopted by ECOSOC

Resolution

1995/7: 2000 World Population and Housing Census programme (E/1995/28).

1995/9: Guidelines for the prevention of urban crime (E/1995/30).

1995/10: Criminal justice action to combat the organized smuggling of illegal migrants across national boundaries (E/1995/30).

1995/13: United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice (E/1995/30).

1995/14: Action against corruption (E/1995/30).

1995/15: Technical cooperation and interregional advisory services in crime prevention and criminal justice (E/1995/30).

1995/16: Integration of demand reduction initiatives into a cohesive strategy to combat drug abuse (E/1995/29).

1995/17: Enhanced regional cooperation to reduce the risks of drug abuse (E/1995/29).

1995/27: Implementation of the resolutions and recommendations of the ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (E/1995/30).

1995/33: Question of a draft optional protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/37: Question of a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/43: Assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar following the natural disasters of 1994 (E/1995/L.48 and E/1995/SR.56).

1995/48: Europe-Africa permanent link through the Strait of Gibraltar (E/1995/L.37 and E/1995/SR.56).

1995/50: Operational activities of the United Nations for international development cooperation segment (E/1995/L.65).

1995/60: Social development (E/1995/L.64 and E/1995/SR.57).

1995/63: Malaria and diarrhoeal diseases, in particular cholera (E/1995/L.54 and E/1995/SR.57).

Decision

1995/232: Office to combat desertification and drought (E/1995/SR.38).

1995/251: Tenth anniversary of the International Youth Year and world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond (E/1995/SR.50).

1995/259: Promoting the realization of the right to adequate housing (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/272: Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/273: Internally displaced persons (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/274: Human rights and disability (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/282: Situation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/291: Situation of human rights in Burundi (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

1995/300: Traditional practices affecting the health of women and children (E/1995/23 and Corr.1 and 2).

2. Resolutions and decisions adopted by the General Assembly

Resolution

50/42: Fourth World Conference on Women (A/50/L.46 and Add.1).

50/56: Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin (A/50/L.28 and Add.1).

50/58: Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions

A. Assistance for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Liberia (A/50/L.27/Rev.1);

D. International assistance for the economic rehabilitation of Angola (A/50/L.31 and Add.1);

F. Assistance for the reconstruction and development of Djibouti (A/50/L.33/Rev.1 and Rev.1/Add.1);

G. Assistance to the Palestinian people (A/50/L.41/Rev.1);

I. Assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar following the natural disasters of 1994 (A/50/L.56/Rev.1 and Rev.1/Add.1);

J. Emergency assistance to the Sudan (A/50/L.43/Rev.1);

K. Special emergency assistance for the economic recovery and reconstruction of Burundi (A/50/L.58/Rev. 1 and Rev.1/Add.1);

L. Situation in Rwanda: international assistance for a solution to the problem of refugees, the restoration of total peace, reconstruction and socio-economic development in Rwanda (A/50/L.64/Rev.2 and Rev.2/Add.1).

50/81: World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond (A/50/728).

50/82: Assistance in mine clearance (A/50/L.57 and Add.1).

50/83: Normalization of the situation concerning South Africa (A/50/L.44/Rev.1 and Rev.1/Add.1).

50/92: Enhancing international cooperation towards a durable solution to the external debt problem of developing countries (A/50/616).

50/93: Sources for the financing of development (A/50/616).

50/94: Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (A/50/617/Add.12).

50/95: International trade and development (A/50/617/Add.1).

50/96: Economic measures a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries (A/50/617/Add.1).

50/97: Specific actions related to the particular needs and problems of land-locked developing countries (A/50/617/Add.1).

50/98: Ninth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (A/50/617/Add.1).

50/99: Commission on Human Settlements (A/50/617/Add.1).

50/100: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) (A/50/617/Add.3).

50/101: Science and technology for development (A/50/617/Add.4).

50/102: United Nations system support for science and technology in Africa (A/50/617/Add.4).

50/103: Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s (A/50/617/Add.5).

50/104: Women in Development (A/50/617/Add.6).

50/105: Developing human resources for development (A/50/617/Add.7).

50/106: Business and development (A/50/617/Add.8).

50/107: Observance of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty and proclamation of the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (A/50/617/Add.9).

50/108: United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation (A/50/617/Add.11).

50/109: World Food Summit (A/50/617/Add.11).

50/111: Convention on Biological Diversity (A/50/618/Add.1).

50/112: Elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa (A/50/618/Add.1).

50/113: Special session for the purpose of an overall review and appraisal of the implementation of Agenda 21 (A/50/618/Add.2).

50/114: Desertification and drought (A/50/618/Add.2).

50/116: Implementation of the outcome of the Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (A/50/618/Add.4).

50/117: International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (A/50/618/Add.5).

50/118: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community (A/50/619).

50/119: Economic and technical cooperation among developing countries and a United Nations conference on South-South cooperation (A/50/619).

50/120: Triennial policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system (A/50/619).

50/121: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (A/50/620).

50/122: Renewal of the dialogue on strengthening international economic cooperation for development through partnership (A/50/622).

50/123: International migration and development (A/50/623).

50/124: Implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (A/50/624).

50/126: Water supply and sanitation (A/50/615/Add.1).

50/127: Target for World Food Programme pledges for the period 1997-1998 (A/50/615/Add.1).

50/128: Preventive action and intensification of the struggle against malaria in developing countries, particularly in Africa (A/50/615/Add.1).

50/130: Communication for development programmes in the United Nations system (A/50/615/Add.1).

50/131: United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa (A/50/L.65 and Add.1).

50/133: Support by the United Nations system of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies (A/50/L.19/Rev.1 and Rev.1/Add.1).

50/138: Use of mercenaries as a means to violate human rights and to impede the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination (A/50/627).

50/141: International Year of Older Persons: towards a society for all ages (A/50/628).

50/142: Follow-up to the International Year of the Family (A/50/628).

50/143: Progress made and problems encountered in the struggle against illiteracy: a mid-decade review; cooperation to achieve education for all (A/50/628).

50/144: Towards full integration of persons with disabilities in society: implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and of the Long-term Strategy to Implement the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons to the Year 2000 and Beyond (A/50/628).

50/145: Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (A/50/629).

50/146: Strengthening the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme, particularly its technical cooperation capacity (A/50/629).

50/147: United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (A/50/629).

50/148: International action to combat drug abuse and illicit production and trafficking (A/50/631).

50/149: Assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Africa (A/50/632).

50/150: Assistance to unaccompanied refugee minors (A/50/632).

50/151: Comprehensive consideration and review of the problems of refugees, returners, displaced persons and related migratory movements (A/50/632).

50/152: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (A/50/632).

50/153: The rights of the child (A/50/633).

50/154: The girl child (A/50/633).

50/155: Conference of States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (A/50/L.61/Rev.1).

50/156: United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations (A/50/634).

50/157: Programme of activities for the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (A/50/634).

50/158: Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity A/50/L.51/Rev.1).

50/160: Implementation of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s A/50/L.40/Rev.1).

50/161: Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development (A/50/L.66 and Add.1).

50/169: International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (A/50/635/Add.1).

50/173: United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education: culture of peace (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/175: Respect for the right to universal freedom of travel and the vital importance of family reunification (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/177: United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/181: Human rights in the administration of justice (A/50/635/Add.2.).

50/183: Elimination of all forms of religious intolerance (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/184: Right to development (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/185: Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing the effectiveness of the principle of periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization (A/50/635/Add.2).

50/195: Protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons (A/50/635/Add.3).

50/197: Situation of human rights in the Sudan (A/50/635/Add.3).

50/199: Situation of human rights in Nigeria (A/50/635/Add.3).

50/200: Situation of human rights in Rwanda (A/50/635/Add.3).

50/202: Amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (A/50/816).

50/203: Follow-up to the fourth World Conference on Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (A/50/816).

50/209: Financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (A/50/846).

50/210: Financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (A/50/846).

50/211: Financing of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (A/50/848).

50/214: Questions relating to the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 (A/50/842).

Decision

50/422: Declaration of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity on the aerial and naval military attack against the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriyan Arab Jamahiriya by the present United States Administration in April 1986 (A/50/PV.94).

50/425: Sustainable development and international economic cooperation (A/50/617; A/50/PV.96).

50/426: Report of the Secretary-General on the programme for the second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (A/50/617/Add.12, para. 9; A/50/PV.96).

50/427: Note by the Secretary-General on negotiations on an international code of conduct on transfer of technology (A/50/617/Add.1, para. 22; A/50/PV.96).

50/428: Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the regional commissions on the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) at the regional level (A/50/617/Add.3, para. 10; A/50/PV.96).

50/429: Report of the Secretary-General on the mid-term global review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the 1990s (A/50/617/Add.5, para. 10; A/50/PV.96).

50/430: Environment and sustainable development (A/50/618; A/50/PV. 96).

50/432: Notes by the Secretary-General on the elaboration of an international convention to combat desertification in those countries experiencing serious drought and/or desertification, particularly in Africa (A/50/618/Add.1, para. 21; A/50/PV.96).

50/433: Report of the Secretary-General on observance of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought; implementation of General Assembly resolution 49/115 (A/50/618/Add.2, para. 9; A/50/PV.96).

50/434: Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme on the overall implementation of the plan of action to combat desertification, including implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region (A/50/618/Add.2, para. 9; A/50/PV.96).