Recalling its resolution 359 (XIV) of 27 March 1979 on the establishment of a Data Bank,

Recalling also its resolution 366 (XV) of 12 April 1980 on the Pan-African Documentation and Information System (PADIS),

Noting the importance for member States to generate comparative data and information on economic recovery and development for the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, 1986-1990,

Recognizing the ever pressing needs of member States to have immediate access to national and comparative data and information on economic and social development for planning and decision making,

Cognizant of the problems hindering the efficient organization and delivery of information services at national, subregional and regional levels,

Recognizing that incompatible information collection and classification methods and poor communications mechanisms have hampered inter-country exchange of development information and experience,

Noting the recommendation of the PADIS Regional Technical Committee concerning a study on the adaptation of PADIS to changing realities,

Noting with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the PADIS programme,

1. Adopts the report of the Third Meeting of the PADIS Regional Technical Committee, and takes note of its recommendations as well as the PADIS work plan for 1987-1988 and strategies for the period 1987-1991 contained therein;

2. Calls upon the Government of Niger and the ECA Secretariat to intensify their efforts to launch as soon as possible the West African Documentation and information System;

3. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Development Programme and the International Development Research Centre for their continued support of PADIS as it enters its third phase;

4. Commends the continuously evolving co-operation between ECA/PADIS and UNESCO/PGI in assisting African member States in the areas of documentation and information, particularly the programme being developed in the context of the UNDP fourth programming cycle;

5. Commends also Zaire and Zambia for their financial contributions to the development of the PADIS system and network, in particular, to the establishment of CADIS and ESADIS respectively;

6. Calls upon member States and the international community to include PADIS in their pledging to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development;

7. Calls upon PADIS to continue its on-going activities in systems and network development and to extend its activities to the development of advisory services in information systems development and policy, innovative user services, training in information systems, promotion of horizontal co-operation in information exchange in the region, provision of access to its data bases for African member States and undertaking research on improved methodologies for statistical and non-numerical data base development;

8. Requests the specialized agencies of the United Nations system to intensify their support to PADIS, particularly by making available the data bases and information products they generate to allow for wider dissemination in the region;

9. Requests also the Executive Secretary of ECA to assist member States in this vital area by taking the necessary measures to make information systems development and user services a part of regular budget technical co-operation activities of the ECA, beginning with the Medium-Term Plan for the period 1990-1995;

10. Requests further that the Executive Secretary should explore ways and means of including more technical co-operation activities on information systems development in the ECA work programme and budget for 1988-1989;

11. Further requests the Executive Secretary to report on progress made in the implementation of this resolution to the twenty-third session of the Commission.

Recalling its resolution 498 (XIX) of 26 May 1984 on the Pan African Documentation and Information System in Africa;

Recalling also its resolution 600 (XXII) of 24 April 1987 on information systems development in Africa;

Recognizing the need to promote the increased flow and improved reliability and compatibility of information and data for development planning and decision-making in the member States of the Commission;

Cognizant of the rapid pace at which information technologies are evolving and the slow rate at which they are being introduced in the African region;

Further cognizant of the need for periodic evaluation of the activities of PADIS with a view to ensuring always their relevance, effectiveness and impact;

Noting with satisfaction the high rate of implementation of the PADIS programme and the high quality of the outputs delivered during the period 1987-89;

Recognizing the need to put PADIS on a firm financial footing and to ensure its sustainability;

Noting with concern attempts made at the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly at its forty-third session to reduce the scope of PADIS and therefore jeopardize the collective efforts of African countries to promote the effective collection and dissemination of information for development; and bearing in mind the adverse consequences of such a reduction on the collection, analysis, storage and dissemination of development information in an integrated manner in Africa;

Commending the position successfully taken at that forum by member States of the African group to defend the PADIS programme;

Noting with appreciation the measures currently being taken by the Executive Secretary to put PADIS on regular budgetary support basis;

Noting with satisfaction the increasingly broad scope of the activities of PADIS in support of development information in Africa; Endorses:

(i)

the Report of the Fourth Meeting of the Regional Technical Committee for PADIS, including its recommendations;

(ii)

the proposed PADIS work programme for the period 1990-91; and

(iii)

the change in name of PADIS from the Pan African Documentation and Information System to the Pan African Development Information System;

3. Commends also the Governments of Algeria, Djibouti, Morocco and Somalia for signing UNDP project document RAB/88/012 which makes possible the participation of North African countries in PADIS;

4. Calls upon member States to renew their commitment to PADIS, particularly, by:

(i)

providing, through appropriate channels, their support at the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly to secure for PADIS the necessary inputs under the regular budget for the period 1990-1991 of the United Nations Secretariat; and,

(ii)

making voluntary financial contributions to PADIS;

5. Invites member States that have not yet nominated their national participating centres to do so at the earliest possible time;

6. Expresses its appreciation to African missions in New York for their support to PADIS and requests them to continue their efforts in the appropriate forums;

7. Thanks:

(i)

the United Nations Development Programme for its additional support to permit the participation of North African countries in the PADIS regional programme as well for as its on-going support to PADIS Phase III;

(ii)

the International Development Research Centre (Canada) for its continuing support to PADIS;

(i)

UNDP to continue funding through 1991 the personnel component of PADIS Phase III at its 1987-1990 level;

(ii)

IDRC to continue its support to PADIS through the approval of new grants; and

(iii)

other donors who have not yet done so to contribute to PADIS for the overall benefit of information for development in Africa;

10.Also requests the Executive Secretary:

(i)

to explore the ways and means by which increasing levels of resources could be devoted to information systems activities under the forthcoming United Nations Medium-Term Plan for the period 1992-1997;

(ii)

to intensify his efforts to diversify the sources of extra-budgetary funding available to PADIS in order to increase the technical assistance to member States in this strategic area of development;

(iii)

to call upon PADIS to intensify its marketing efforts in order to enhance the utilization of its services and products;

(iv)

to undertake in collaboration with member States and donor organizations periodic evaluations of the continued effectiveness, relevance and impact of PADIS; and

(v)

to submit a report on the implementation of this resolution to the twenty-fifth session of the Commission.

Recalling its resolution 498 (XIX) of 26 May 1984 on the Pan African Documentation and Information System in Africa,

Recalling also its resolution 600 (XXII) of 24 April 1987 on information systems development in Africa,

Bearing in mind its resolution 658 (XXIV) of 7 April 1989 on strengthening information systems in Africa,

Noting with satisfaction the performance of PADIS in the delivery of technical assistance to member States in the period since 1988,

Appreciative of efforts made by PADIS in creating an information system to assist African member States in their development.

Noting with concern the precarious situation of the bulk of PADIS's funding for technical assistance which is presently scheduled to end on 31 December 1990,

Recognizing the need for adequate training in the region in current information technology,

Concerned by the small number of up-to-date office automation equipment at ECA to be used in the service of African member States,

1. Commends member States which have already designated national participating centres in the PADIS network and calls upon those that have not done so to designate their participating centres;

2. Reminds participating centres of their role in the network, including the contribution of information;

3. Urges governments hosting subregional centres to accelerate the process of their establishment;

4. Strongly urges UNDP to ensure the continuation of PADIS technical assistance activities on behalf of member States by supplementing its allocation to project RAF/86/053 to permit the continuation of professional and administrative staff through the Fifth Cycle;

5. Urges African member States to consider PADIS in their pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development;

6. Appeals to bilateral and other multilateral donors to continue and upgrade their support to PADIS;

7. Requests the Executive Secretary to explore further ways and means of securing regular budget posts for PADIS;

8. Urges United Nations Headquarters to provide PADIS with the necessary computer equipment to ensure its effective functioning.

The Conference of Ministers,

Recalling its resolution 498 (XIX) of 26 May 1984 on the Pan-African Documentation and Information System in Africa,

Recalling also its resolution 600 (XXII) of 24 April 1987 on information systems development in Africa,

Bearing in mind its resolution 658 (XXV) of 19 May 1990 on improving information flows in Africa.

Noting with satisfaction the direction of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System for 1992-1997 for an integrated approach to development information as spelled out in document ECA/PADIS/RTC/7 ``Adaptation of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System to changing needs'',

Expressing appreciation for the continued efforts of the Commission to further strengthen and consolidate the Pan-African Documentation and Information System,

Noting with appreciation the efforts made by the United Nations Development Programme and the Commission to ensure adequate funding for the Pan-African Documentation and Information System during the year 1991,

Noting with satisfaction the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Report of the United Nations Development Programme In-depth Evaluation of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System (1990).

Further noting with satisfaction the preparedness of the United Nations Development Programme to consider financing the Pan-African Documentation and Information System through its fifth Regional Programming Cycle for Africa (1992-1997),

Cognizant of the need for enhancing collaboration between the Commission, the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the elaboration of communications programmes,

1. Calls upon member States of the Commission to actively support and sustain PADIS' leadership role in the region in the coordination of development information, the promotion of national, subregional and regional information linkages, the promotion of information networking and the facilitation of the exchange of development information, within the context of African economic integration and an African Economic Community.

2. Urges member States, the funding agencies of the United Nations system and other donor agencies to strengthen their financial support of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System with particular attention to its subregional centres;

3. Requests the United Nations Development Programme to consider the funding of the activities of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System under its fifth Regional Programming Cycle for Africa commensurate with its expansion of operational activities;

4. Strongly urges member States to consider the inclusion of projects on the development of information needs for funding from the Programme under the fifth Regional Programming Cycle with a view to establishing the desirable linkages between national, subregional and regional activities and thereby strengthen the overall impact of the Pan-African Documentation and Information System;

5. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to intensify his efforts to fund core posts for the Pan-African Documentation and Information System from the regular budget;

6. Calls for the rapid convening of a meeting between the Pan-African Documentation and Information System and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, within the framework and programme of work for 1991 of the UNESCO/ECA Joint Concertation Meeting and with the participation of the Organization of African Unity to develop collaboration in the area of communications.

Recalling the terms of reference of the Commission as adopted by resolution 671(XXV) of 29 April 1958 and amended by resolution 974 D.I. (XXXVI) of July 1963, 1343 (XLV) of 18 July 1968 and 1978/68 of 4 August 1978,

Recalling further the various resolutions that have implications on the mandate and operations of the Commission including, in particular, General Assembly resolution 32/197 of 20 December 1977 on the restructuring of the economic and social sectors of the United Nations system, General Assembly resolution 33/202 of 29 January 1979 and 44/211 of 21 December 1989,

Noting with appreciation the endorsement by the Economic and Social Council of commission resolution 718 (XXVI) on the revitalization of the mandate and operational framework of the regional economic commissions,

Bearing in mind General Assembly resolutions 45/177 of 19 December 1990, 45/264 of 13 May 1991 and 46/235 of 13 April 1992 on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields, in which the regional commissions should be enabled fully to play their role under the authority of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, and those located in developing countries strengthened in the context of the overall objectives of the ongoing restructuring and revitalization process,

Reiterating the validity of the general orientation of the work programme of the Commission as outlined in the Medium Plan 1992-1997, including the identified individual subprogrammes,

Convinced that the many and important changes that are taking place in the member States of the Commission, the international environment as well as in the United Nations system as a whole will necessitate new approaches by the Commission in carrying out its mandate and new relationships with its constituency and partners, with a view to increasing its impact,

Having examined the in depth analysis made by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission as contained in document E/ECA/CM.18/4 entitled The Economic Commission for Africa in the 1990s: A policy and management framework for facing Africa's development challenges,

1. Congratulates the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission for the initiative he took to establish a Task Force to review and appraise ECA's policy orientation, programmes and management capacity and for the excellent analysis of the pertinent issues and useful and innovative proposals he has made;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure that there is a clear and concrete balance between the research and operational activities of the ECA Secretariat and to sharply focus all such activities of the Commission on the specific realities and characteristics of the African region and of individual subregions;

3. Also requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure that its activities are fully grounded in sound data and information systems, through the strengthening of the Pan-African Development Information System (PADIS), which should be provided with adequate financial resources;

4. Requests the Executive Secretary to report on the progress made in the implementation of this resolution to the nineteenth meeting of the ECA Conference of Ministers and twenty-eighth session of the Commission.

Recalling the terms of reference of the Economic Commission for Africa as adopted by the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 671 (XXV) of 29 April 1958, and amended by resolution 974 D.(XXXVI), section I, of July 1963, 1343 (XLV) of 18 July 1968 and 1978/68 of 4 August 1978,

Recalling also the various resolutions that have implications on the mandate and operations of the Commission including, in particular, General Assembly resolution 32/197 of 20 December 1977 on the restructuring of the economic and social sectors of the United Nations system, and Assembly resolution 33/202 of 29 January 1979 and 44/211 of 21 December 1989,

Recalling further the endorsement by the Economic and Social Council in its decision 1991/302 of 26 July 1991 of resolution 718 (XXVI) on the revitalization of the mandate and operational framework of the regional commission for Africa,

Bearing in mind General Assembly resolutions 45/177 of 19 December 1990, 45/264 of 13 May 1991 and 46/235 of 13 April 1992 on the restructuring and revitalization of the United Nations in the economic, social and related fields, in which the regional commissions should be enabled fully to play their role under the authority of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, and those located in developing countries strengthened in the context of the overall objectives of the ongoing restructuring and revitalization process,

Reiterating the validity of the general orientation of the work programme of the Commission as outlined in the Medium Plan 1992-1997, including the identified individual subprogrammes,

Convinced that the many and important changes that are taking place in the member States of the Commission, the international environment as well as in the United Nations system as a whole will necessitate new approaches by the Commission in carrying out its mandate and new relationships with its constituency and partners, with a view to increasing its impact,

Having examined the in depth analysis made by the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission as contained in document E/ECA/CM.18/4 entitled The Economic Commission for Africa in the 1990s: A policy and management framework for facing Africa's development challenges,

1. Congratulates the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission for the initiative he took to establish a Task Force to review and appraise ECA's policy orientation, programmes and management capacity and for the excellent analysis of the pertinent issues and useful and innovative proposals he has made;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure that there is a clear and concrete balance between the research and operational activities of the ECA Secretariat and to sharply focus all such activities of the Commission on the specific realities and characteristics of the African region and of individual subregions;

3. Also requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to ensure that its activities are fully grounded in sound data and information systems, through the strengthening of the Pan-African Development Information System (PADIS), which should be provided with adequate financial resources;

4. Requests the Executive Secretary to report on the progress made in the implementation of this resolution to the nineteenth meeting of the ECA Conference of Ministers and twenty-eighth session of the Commission.

Recalling its resolutions 498 (XIX) of 26 May 1984, 600 (XXII) of 24 April 1987, 658 (XXIV) of 9 April 1989, 679 (XXV) of 19 May 1990, 716 (XXVI) of 12 May 1991,

Concerned by the widening North-South gap in the flow of vital information as well as in the acquisition and utilization of information technology,

Conscious of the information needs to foster African economic cooperation, in particular through the establishment of the African Economic Community,

Bearing in mind the need to establish data networks and data bases, as specified in articles 42, 49 and 51 of the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community, signed by the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity in Abuja, 1991,

Recognizing the need for further transfer of and training in up-to-date information technology in the African region,

Noting with satisfaction the performance of the Pan-African Development Information System in the delivery of technical assistance to member States since the last session of the Joint Conference of African Planners, Statisticians and Demographers in 1990,

Appreciative of the efforts of the Pan-African Development Information System to improve its existing information system to assist African member States in their development efforts as well as its efforts to sensitize them to the importance of utilizing appropriate information technology,

Taking note of the recommendations of the United Nations Development Programme In depth Evaluation of the Pan-African Development Information System (1990) and the study of user needs presented to the seventh session of the Joint Conference of African Planners, Statisticians, and Demographers held in Addis Ababa from 2-7 March 1992.

Recognizing the leadership role of the system in the creation and implementation of harmonized and standardized data bases and information systems in the African region,

Noting with concern the financial situation of the System, with United Nations Development Programme funding scheduled to end on 31 March 1992,

1. Urges member States in order to receive delivery of the System's technical assistance in information system development:

(a)

To use their UNDP country Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs);

(b)

To consider the System in their pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development;

(c)

To use, where appropriate, the financial provisions under the Lome IV Convention;

2. Urges also member States which are hosting subregional centres to accelerate the process of their establishment and support their continuation;

3. Calls upon member States which have not yet done so to promulgate national information policies;

4. Further calls upon member States to adopt policies related to the acquisition and utilization of appropriate information technology;

5. Invites member States to declare 19 November as ``African Development Information Day'';

6. Urgently appeals to bilateral and other multilateral donors to support the Pan- African Development Information System;

7. Strongly urges the United Nations Development Programme to continue funding the System's technical assistance activities on behalf of member States by providing financial resources under through the Fifth Programming Cycle;

8. Requests the System to continue its leadership role in the coordination of development information and in maintaining and developing its information system to respond to Africa's pressing development problems;

9. Further requests the System to assist its network members, comprising national, subregional and institutional participating centres, in securing financial assistance to develop their information activities to more effectively support the development planning process as well as to strengthen their participation in the PADIS network;

10. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Commission to continue to explore ways and means of securing regular budget posts for PADIS in order to ensure its continuation;

11. Also requests the ECA Executive Secretary to continue his efforts, in close collaboration with the Organization of African Unity and the African Development Bank, to harmonize and standardize information sources and systems to support the African Economic Community and to facilitate regional economic cooperation.

Concerned by the ever widening North-South gap in the flow of vital information as well as in acquisition and utilization of information technology;

Conscious of the importance of information in fostering African regional co-operation and integration, in particular through strengthening of existing regional groupings and the establishment of the African Economic Community;

Bearing in mind the need to establish data networks and data bases as specified in the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community as well as the emphasis on information technology delineated in the Lomâ IV Convention;

Recalling also its resolutions 716 (XXVI) of 12 May 1991, 726 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992, and 732 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992;

Appreciative of the continuing support given by the International Development Research Centre to the Pan African Development Information System's (PADIS) activities to strengthen the information capabilities of member States;

Appreciative also of the support given by eleven member States for the submission of the project "Information Technology for Africa" for further consideration by the European Commission in the framework of the Lomâ IV Convention;

Noting with satisfaction the performance of ECA's development information system, PADIS, in the delivery of technical assistance to member States;

Noting with further satisfaction the proposals of the Executive Secretary to incorporate the activities of PADIS into the programme budget of the ECA;

Bearing in mind the need to strengthen ECA's subregional development information centres as information support for subregional economic co-operation and integration;

Noting with concern the decreasing availability of extrabudgetary resources for implementation and utilization of development information systems and technology;

Further noting with concern the precarious financial situation of PADIS and the need to end its reliance on extra-budgetary sources of funding;

Welcoming the intention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to provide adequate resources for mandated programmes in Africa, with special attention to those in science and technology for development, in the preparation of his programme budget proposals for the biennium 1994-1995;

1. Requests PADIS to build elements of cost recovery into its delivery of information services and products;

2. Urges member States, in order to receive further needed technical assistance in information systems development: a. To give priority to information systems development in the use of their United Nations Development Programme Country Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs); b. To consider development information activities in their 1993 pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development; c. To use, where appropriate, the financial provision under the Lomâ IV Convention for this purpose;

3. Urgently appeals to the donor community to support ECA's activities to strengthen development information capabilities in the African region;

4. Requests the ECA to continue its leadership role in the co-ordination of development information and technology to respond to Africa's pressing development problems;

5. Also requests the Executive Secretary to seek additional resources for ECA's subregional development information centres in the framework of the subprogramme on statistical and information systems development;

6. Requests the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations to ensure the provision of four professional and two local level posts as well as resources to permit the delivery of activities to ECA's subprogramme on information systems development beginning with its 1994-1995 programme budget.

Concerned by the wide North-South gap in the flow of vital information as well as in acquisition and utilization of information technology;

Conscious of the importance of information in fostering African regional co-operation and integration, in particular through strengthening of existing regional groupings and the establishment of the African Economic Community;

Bearing in mind the need to establish data networks and data bases as specified in the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community as well as the emphasis on information technology delineated in the Lomâ IV Convention;

Recalling also Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Minister's resolutions 716 (XXVI) of 12 May 1991, 726 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992, and 732 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992;

Appreciative of the continuing support given by the International Development Research Centre to the Pan African Development Information System's (PADIS) activities to strengthen the information capabilities of member States;

Appreciative also of the support given by 11 member States for the submission of the project "Information Technology for Africa" for further consideration by the European Commission in the framework of the Lomâ IV Convention;

Noting with satisfaction the performance of the Economic Commission for Africa's Development Information System in the delivery of technical assistance to member States;

Noting with further satisfaction the proposals of the Executive Secretary to incorporate the activities of the System into the programme budget of the Commission;

Bearing in mind the need to strengthen the Commission's subregional development information centres as information support for subregional economic co-operation and integration;

Noting with concern the decreasing availability of extrabudgetary resources for implementation and utilization of development information systems and technology;

Further noting with concern the precarious financial situation of PADIS and the need to end its reliance on extra-budgetary sources of funding;

Welcoming the intention of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to provide adequate resources for mandated programmes in Africa, with special attention to those in science and technology for development, in the preparation of his programme budget proposals for the biennium 1994-1995;

1. Requests the Pan-African Development Information System to build elements of cost recovery into its delivery of information services and products;

2. Urges member States, in order to receive further needed technical assistance in information systems development: a. To give priority to information systems development in the use of their United Nations Development Programme Country Indicative Planning Figures (IPFs); b. To consider development information activities in their 1993 pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development; c. To use, where appropriate, the financial provision under the Lomâ IV Convention for this purpose;

3. Urgently appeals to the donor community to support the Commission's activities to strengthen development information capabilities in the African region;

4. Requests the Commission to continue its leadership role in the co-ordination of development information and technology to respond to Africa's pressing development problems;

5. Also requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to seek additional resources through voluntary contributions for Commission's subregional development information centres in the framework of the subprogramme on statistical and information systems development;

6. Requests the General Assembly to ensure adequate staffing and resources to permit the delivery of activities to the Commission's subprogramme on information systems development beginning with its 1994-1995 programme budget.

on the recommendation of the second Committee, decided to endorse Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/67 of 30 July 1993, entitled "Strengthening development information systems for regional cooperation and integration in Africa," and agrees to ensure the provision of adequate staffing and resources to permit the delivery of activities to the subprogramme of the Economic Commission for Africa on information systems development, beginning with the programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995.

Convinced that information support is vital to Africa's recovery and sustainable development,

Concerned by the underdeveloped information and documentation sector in many African countries and the inadequate financial and material resources available for its growth,

Welcoming General Assembly decision 48/453 of 21 December 1993 recommending the provision of adequate staffing and resources for the ECA subprogramme on information systems development, beginning with the programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995,

Recalling ECOSOC resolutions 1992/51 on the need to ground ECA activities in sound data and information system and 1993/67 of 30 July 1993 on ECA's subprogramme in information systems development,

Recalling its resolutions 716 (XXVII) of April 1992 on implementing an integrated approach to development information and 766 (XXVIII) of April 1993 on strengthening development information systems for regional co-operation and integration in Africa,

Appreciative of the continuing support given by the International Development Research Centre as well as new support from the Government of the Netherlands and the Carnegie Corporation of New York to the Pan-African Development Information System's (PADIS) activities to strengthen the information capabilities of member States,

Appreciative also of the approval of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of the project "Information Technology for Africa" for further consideration by the European Union in the framework of the Lome IV Convention,

Bearing in mind the need to strengthen the Commission's subregional development information centres as information support for subregional economic cooperation and integration,

Noting with satisfaction the performance of the Economic Commission for Africa's development information system in the delivery of technical assistance to member States and the large number of requests pending in this area,

Noting with further satisfaction the full incorporation of the activities on information system development into the programme budget of the Commission,

Noting, however, with concern that the Commission has had regular budget activities in this area since 1984 without resources being provided for them,

Aware of the decreasing availability of extrabudgetary resources for implementation and utilization of development information systems and technology.

Noting with grave concern the precarious financial situation of the Commission's activities in this area to meet the important needs of its member States and the urgency to end its reliance on extra-budgetary sources of funding,

1. Appeals to member States to recognize the vital importance of developing their information sector by: a. Adopting national information and informatics policies; b. Providing sufficient resources in the national budget for the essential growth of this area;

2. Urges member States to approve the utilization of new technology for electronic communication in order to permit Africa's full access to the global information highway;

3. Further urges member States to formulate their needs for technical assistance in information systems development by; a. Giving priority to information systems development in the use of their United Nations Development Programme Country Indicative Planning figures (IPFs), utilizing the Technical Support Services (TSS) mechanism where applicable; b. Considering development information activities in their pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development; c. Using, where appropriate, the financial provisions under Lome IV convention for this purpose;

4. Urgently appeals to the European Union to consider favourably the Pan-African Development Information System project approved by the African, Caribbean and Pacific group Council of Ministers and submitted to it for funding;

5. Calls upon the donor community to support both national initiatives as well as the Commission's activities to strengthen development information capabilities in the Africa region;

6. Approves the outline of the work programme for 1995-1996 in information systems development, while urging the Commission to continue its leadership role in the area of information systems and sciences, information technology, and telematics in order to support Africa's efforts for sustainable development;

7. Encourages the Commission through its information systems development activities to facilitate intra-African information exchange as support for regional economic integration by developing norms and standards for information compatability and promoting their use;

8. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to allocate additional section 20 resources to the subprogramme on statistical and information systems development in accordance with the recommendation of the Second Committee (A/C.2/48/L.50/Rev.1);

9. Also requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to seek additional resources through voluntary contributions for Commission's subregional development information centres in the framework of the subprogramme on statistical and information systems development;

10. Requests the General Assembly, within the spirit of decision 48/453 adopted and in view of the importance of development information systems for Africa's development, to authorise the creation of 3 professional posts at P3, P4 and P5 levels, and 4 local level posts, to permit the delivery of programmed activities of the Commission's subprogramme on information systems development beginning with its 1994-1995 programme budget.

Convinced that information support is vital to Africa's recovery and sustainable development,

Concerned by the underdeveloped information and documentation sector in many African countries and the inadequate financial and material resources available for its growth,

Welcoming General Assembly decision 48/453 of 21 December 1993 in which it agreed to ensure the provision of adequate staffing and resources to permit the delivery of activities in the subprogramme of the Economic Commission for Africa on information systems development, beginning with the programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995,

Recalling ECOSOC resolutions 1992/51 of 31 July 1992, in which it requested the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to ensure that its activities were grounded in sound data and information systems, and 1993/67 of 10 July 1993 concerning the subprogramme of the Commission on statistical and information systems development,

Recalling its resolutions 716 (XXVI) of 12 May 1991 and 766 (XXVIII) of 4 May 1993 of the Conference of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa,

Appreciative of the continuing support given by the International Development Research Centre as well as new support from the Government of the Netherlands and the Carnegie Corporation of New York to the Pan-African Development Information System's (PADIS) activities to strengthen the information capabilities of member States,

Appreciative also of the approval of the Council of Ministers of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of the project "Information Technology for Africa" for further consideration by the European Union in the framework of the Fourth Lomâ Convention,

Bearing in mind the need to strengthen the subregional development information centres of the Commission as information support for subregional economic cooperation and integration,

Noting with satisfaction the efforts being made by the development information system of the Commission in the delivery of technical assistance to member States and the large number of requests pending in this area,

Also noting with satisfaction the full incorporation of the activities on information system development into the programme budget of the Economic Commission for Africa,

Noting with concern that the Commission has had regular budget activities in this area since 1984 without resources being provided for them,

Aware of the decreasing availability of extrabudgetary resources for implementation and utilization of development information systems and technology.

Noting with grave concern the precarious financial situation of the Commission's activities in this area to meet the important needs of its member States and the urgency to end its reliance on extra-budgetary sources of funding,

1. Appeals to the States of the region to recognize the vital importance of developing their information sector by: a. Adopting national information and informatics policies; b. Providing sufficient resources in the national budget for the essential growth of this area;

2. Urges member States to approve the utilization of new technology for electronic communication in order to permit Africa's full access to the global information highway;

3. Also urges member States to formulate their needs for technical assistance in information systems development by; a. Giving priority to information systems development in the use of their United Nations Development Programme Country Indicative Planning figures (IPFs), utilizing the Technical Support Services mechanism where applicable; b. Considering development information activities in their pledges to the United Nations Trust Fund for African Development; c. Using, where appropriate, the financial provisions under Fourth Lomâ Convention for this purpose;

4. Urgently appeals to the European Union to consider favourably the Pan-African Development Information System project approved by the African, Caribbean and Pacific group Council of Ministers and submitted to it for funding;

5. Calls upon the donor community to support both national initiatives and the activities of the Economic Commission for Africa activities to strengthen development information capabilities in the Africa region;

6. Approves the outline of the work programme for 1995-1996 in information systems development, while urging the Commission to continue its leadership role in the area of information systems and sciences, information technology, and telematics in order to support Africa's efforts for sustainable development;

7. Encourages the Economic Commission for Africa through its information systems development activities to facilitate intra-African information exchange as support for regional economic integration by developing norms and standards, in collaboration with other relevant technical organizations, for information compatibility and promoting their use;

8. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to allocate additional resources to the subprogramme of the Commission on statistical and information systems development, in accordance with General Assembly decision 48/453;

9. Also requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to seek additional resources through voluntary contributions for the subregional development information centres of the Commission in the framework of the subprogramme on statistical and information systems development;

10. Invites the General Assembly to review the programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995, in the spirit of its decision 48/453, with a view to permitting the delivery of the activities of the subprogramme of the Economic Commission for Africa on statistical and information systems development.

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1994/42 of 29 July 1994, in which the Council invited the General Assembly to review the programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995 with a view to permitting the delivery of the activities of the subprogramme of the Economic Commission for Africa on statistical and information systems development, and also recalling General Assembly decision 48/453 of 21 December 1993, in which the Assembly agreed to ensure the provision of adequate staffing and resources in the subprogramme.

Endorses resolution 789 (XXIX) of 4 May 1994 of the Conference of Ministers of the Economic Commission for Africa, and requests the Secretary-General fully to implement the resolution within existing United Nations resources. 19 December 1994 Report: A/49/726Twenty-first session of the Conference of African Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning 795 (XXX). Building Africa's information highway The Conference of Ministers, Cognizant of the need to promote co-operation in the exchange of information in support of the African Economic Community as well as of development efforts at the national, subregional and regional levels;

Mindful of the need for African scientists and researchers to continue to participate in scientific and technological activities at the global level;

Bearing in mind the need for emphasizing the importance of expanding Africa's information highway by building and utilizing critical capacities in Africa to this end;

Bearing in mind also the need to establish information networks and data bases as specified in the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community as well as the emphasis placed on information technology in the Lomâ IV Convention;

Recognizing the need for African countries to develop information networks for full Internet connectivity to enable them to have the same access to information that the rest of the world now enjoys;

Recalling resolution 49/134 of the United Nations General Assembly on Strengthening information systems for Africa's recovery and sustainable development;

Recalling also its resolutions 716 (XXVI) of 12 May 1991, 726 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992, 732 (XXVII) of 22 April 1992 as well as resolution 1993/67 of the Economic and Social Council of 30 July 1993;

Appreciative of the joint effort of the Economic Commission for Africa, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Telecommunication Union and the International Development Research Centre in organizing the first African Regional Symposium on Telematics for Development in Addis Ababa in April 1995;

Noting with satisfaction the performance of ECA's subprogramme activities on information systems development in the delivery of technical assistance to member States;

Further noting with satisfaction the assistance of the International Development Research Centre and other donors in promoting the Information Age in Africa;

Bearing in mind the need to strengthen ECA's information support for subregional economic co-operation and integration,

11. Urges member States which have not yet done so to take the necessary steps to build national information networks for decision making and planning as part of the infrastructure for Africa's information highway;

12. Calls upon member States to promote the exchange of experiences with a view to assisting each other in speedily establishing their national information networks;

13. Requests the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa to:

(a)

Set up a high-level working group on information technologies and communications in Africa made up of African technical experts with a view to preparing a plan of action in this field;

(b)

Mobilize the financial resources necessary for the operations of the aforementioned working group;

(c)

Present a report on the implementation of this resolution to the next Conference of Ministers.