A/RES/57/159 data, as well as other appropriate resources that could be useful in strengthening the coordination role of the United Nations in mine action; 17. Emphasizes in this regard the importance of recording the location of mines, of retaining all such records and making them available to concerned parties upon cessation of hostilities, and welcomes the strengthening of the relevant provisions in international law; 18. Calls upon Member States, especially those that have the capacity to do so, to provide the necessary information and technical, financial and material assistance, as appropriate, and to locate, remove, destroy or otherwise render ineffective minefields, mines, booby traps and other devices, in accordance with international law, as soon as possible; 19. Recognizes the importance of the various mine-action coordination centres, encourages the further establishment of such centres, including those supported by the United Nations Development Programme or under the auspices of the Mine Action Service, especially in emergency situations, and encourages States to support the activities of those centres and the trust funds established for the coordination and promotion of assistance in mine action; 20. Urges Member States and regional, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and foundations that have the ability to do so to provide, as appropriate, technological assistance to mine-affected countries and to promote user-oriented scientific research and development on mine-action techniques and technology, within reasonable time frames, so that mine-action activities may be carried out more effectively at lower costs and through safer means and to promote international and local collaboration in this regard; 21. Encourages Member States and regional, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations and foundations to continue to support ongoing activities to promote appropriate technology, as well as international operational and safety standards for mine-action activities; 22. Takes note with appreciation of the ongoing efforts of the SecretaryGeneral to study ways and means of increasing public awareness of the impact of the problem of landmines and other unexploded ordnance on affected countries and the presentation of options to this effect to the General Assembly; 23. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session a report on the progress achieved on all relevant issues outlined both in his previous reports to the Assembly on assistance in mine clearance and mine action and in the present resolution, including the progress made by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international and regional organizations as well as national programmes, and on the operation of the Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action and other mine-action programmes; 24. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth session the item entitled “Assistance in mine action”. 76th plenary meeting 16 December 2002 6