A/RES/61/132 1. Notes with appreciation the efforts by the Governments of affected countries to undertake the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase, as well as in enhancing financial transparency and accountability, with respect to the channelling and utilization of resources, including, as appropriate, through the involvement of international public auditors; Commends the prompt response, continued support, generous assistance 2. and contributions of the international community, donor Governments, civil society, the private sector and individuals, in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, which reflect the spirit of international solidarity and cooperation to address the disaster; Takes note with appreciation of the continued work of Mr. William 3. Jefferson Clinton, former President of the United States of America, the United Nations Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, and his various initiatives, and encourages his efforts to continue sustaining the political will and to promote the identification of priorities and integration of efforts of the international community, particularly regional and international financial institutions, civil society and the private sector, to support medium- and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts led by the Governments of affected countries; Encourages donor communities and international and regional financial 4. institutions, as well as the private sector and civil society, to strengthen partnerships and to continue to support the medium- and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of the affected countries; Encourages the continued effective coordination among the Governments 5. of affected countries, relevant bodies of the United Nations system, international organizations, donor countries, regional and international financial institutions, civil society, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and private sectors involved in rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, in order to ensure the effective implementation of existing joint programmes and to prevent unnecessary duplication and reduce vulnerability to future natural hazards, as well as to adequately respond to the remaining humanitarian needs, where needed; Stresses the need for the development of stronger institutions, 6. mechanisms and capacities at the regional, national and local levels, as affirmed in the Hyogo Declaration2 and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015,3 and the promotion of public education, awareness and community participation, in order to systematically build resilience to hazards and disasters, as well as reduce the risks and the vulnerability of populations to disasters, including an effective and sustained tsunami warning system, particularly in tsunami-prone countries; Calls upon States to fully implement the Hyogo Declaration and the 7. Hyogo Framework for Action 2005–2015, in particular those commitments related to assistance for developing countries that are prone to natural disasters and for disaster-stricken States in the transition phase towards sustainable, physical, social and economic recovery, for risk-reduction activities in post-disaster recovery and for rehabilitation processes; Stresses the importance of and the need for regular updating of recovery 8. assessment by the Governments of affected countries, the United Nations system and international and regional financial institutions, based on the affected countries’ national data and utilizing a consistent methodology, in order to reassess progress and identify gaps and priorities, with the participation of the local community during the recovery and reconstruction phase in order to build back better; 3