A/RES/54/219
Page 2
Reiterating that natural disasters damage the social and economic infrastructure of all countries,
although the long-term consequences of natural disasters are especially severe for developing countries and
hamper their sustainable development,
Recognizing the need for the international community to demonstrate the firm political determination
required to utilize scientific and technical knowledge to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters and
environmental hazards, taking into account the particular needs of developing countries,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Economic and Social
Council resolution 1999/63,2
Noting the Declaration on Technical Cooperation for the Prevention and Relief of Natural Disasters,
adopted by the Rio Group at its thirteenth summit meeting, held in Mexico on 28 and 29 May 1999, as well
as the results of the first summit meeting of Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the
Caribbean and the European Union, held at Rio de Janeiro on 28 and 29 June 1999,3
Taking into account the consideration of natural disasters contained in the report of the Third United
Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, held at Vienna from 19 to 30 July
1999,4
1. Takes note with appreciation of the reports of the Secretary-General concerning the activities of
the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction5 and on the recommendations on institutional
arrangements for disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system after the conclusion of the
Decade;6
2. Expresses deep concern at the increasing number and scale of natural disasters, which have
resulted in massive losses of life and long-term negative social, economic and environmental consequences
for vulnerable societies worldwide, in particular in developing countries;
3. Endorses the proposals put forward in the report of the Secretary-General6 to ensure the swift
establishment of future arrangements for disaster reduction as well as functional continuity for the effective
implementation of the international strategy for disaster reduction;
4. Also endorses the proposal of the Secretary-General to establish an inter-agency task force and
inter-agency secretariat for disaster reduction, under the direct authority of the Under-Secretary-General for
Humanitarian Affairs, in a flexible manner, for the initial period of the biennium 2000-2001, and to undertake
2
A/54/497.
3
A/54/448.
4
A/CONF.184/6.
5
A/54/132-E/1999/80 and Add.1.
6
A/54/136-E/1999/89.
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