A/RES/52/204 Page 2 Noting with grave concern the recurrence of drought in the areas, the re-emergence of the El Niño phenomenon, with its probable effect of drought, and the risk of increased poverty, in particular in rural areas, Welcoming with satisfaction the regional Food Security Strategy which regards poverty eradication as a prime concern, and in particular addresses the issues of improving access to food and nutrition, Recognizing the valuable and effective economic and financial contribution that some organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system have made to complement national and subregional efforts to advance the process of democratization, rehabilitation and development in southern Africa, Noting that the situation in Angola has recently become a source of great concern and that, despite earlier successes in the implementation of certain aspects of the Angolan peace process, that situation is still deteriorating, Expressing its grave concern at the serious difficulties in the peace process in Angola, caused primarily by the slowness of the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola in implementing the Lusaka Protocol,1 which are hampering efforts towards economic rehabilitation and national reconstruction as well as regional development projects, Recognizing the risks, new challenges and opportunities posed by the process of globalization and liberalization on the economies of the region, Noting the measures being taken by the Community in addressing the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, Welcoming the recognition at the regional level of the important role that women play in the development of the region, and taking note of the Declaration on Gender and Development adopted by the Community at its seventeenth Summit Meeting of Heads of State or Government at Blantyre, Malawi, on 8 September 1997, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;2 2. Commends the States Members of the United Nations and organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system that have maintained, enhanced and initiated development cooperation with the Southern African Development Community; 3. Calls upon the States Members of the United Nations and organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system that have not yet established contact and relationships with the Community to explore the possibility of doing so; 4. Expresses its appreciation to the international community for the financial, technical and material support given to the Community; 5. Renews its appeal to the international community to maintain current levels of, and increase where appropriate, its financial, technical and material support to the Community in order to enable it to implement fully its programme of action and to meet the reconstruction and rehabilitation needs of the region; 1 See Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-ninth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1994, document S/1994/1441. 2 A/52/400. /...