A/RES/56/219 emphasizes the need for an inclusive process to be followed in the development of such standards, and encourages the Secretary-General to circulate the completed standards as a United Nations document to all Member States; 12. Takes note with appreciation of the Information Management Policy For Mine Action submitted by the Secretary-General, and emphasizes in this context the importance of developing a comprehensive information management system for mine action, following an inclusive process, under the overall coordination of the Mine Action Service and with the support of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, in order to facilitate the coordination of field activities and the setting of priorities therein; 13. Welcomes in this respect the development of an Electronic Mine Information Network to support the role of the United Nations as a repository of mine-related information and to serve as a gateway to all relevant data made available by Member States and regional, governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations for mine action; 14. Welcomes also recent approaches with regard to the establishment of mine-action coordination centres, encourages the further establishment of such centres, especially in emergency situations, and also encourages States to support the activities of mine-action coordination centres and trust funds established to coordinate assistance in mine action under the auspices of the Mine Action Service; 15. Encourages the ongoing development of an emergency response plan by the United Nations to respond to emergency mine-action requirements, and emphasizes the need for such a plan to build upon all existing capacities; 16. Urges Member States and regional, governmental and non-governmental organizations and foundations to continue to extend full assistance and cooperation to the Secretary-General and, in particular, to provide him with information and data, as well as other appropriate resources that could be useful in strengthening the coordination role of the United Nations in mine action, in particular in the fields of mine awareness, training, surveying, detection and clearance, scientific research on mine-detection and mine-clearance technology and information on and distribution of medical equipment and supplies; 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 existing minefields, mines, booby traps and other devices in accordance with international law, as soon as possible; 19. 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 scientific research and development on humanitarian mine-action techniques and technology so that mine-action activities may be carried out more effectively at lower costs and through safer means and to promote international collaboration in this regard; 5