United Nations A/RES/56/182 General Assembly Distr.: General 24 January 2002 Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 95 (c) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Second Committee (A/56/558/Add.3)] 56/182. Science and technology for development The General Assembly, Recognizing the role of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development in coordinating the activities of the United Nations system in the area of science and technology for development, Cognizant of the role of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development as the secretariat responsible for the substantive servicing of the Commission, Bearing in mind the cross-cutting nature of science and technology within the United Nations system and the need, inter alia, for effective policy guidance and better coordination, Recognizing the importance of establishing and strengthening partnership and networking among the public and private sectors and academic institutions of all countries to build, transfer and strengthen the technological capabilities and skills needed, in particular for developing countries, Stressing that the pace of globalization is influenced in large measure by the development of science and technology and that developing countries and countries with economies in transition need to become well equipped, inter alia, through international assistance, with the knowledge of science and technology and the practical skills and institutional structures associated with technology management, which are among the essential tools for enabling them to benefit from the opportunities offered by globalization and avoid the risk of marginalization in the process of globalization, Recognizing the need to address the obstacles faced by developing countries in accessing technologies, while taking into account the need to protect intellectual property rights and the special needs of developing countries, Recognizing also that information and communication technologies are among the critical determinants for creating a global knowledge-based economy, accelerating growth, increasing competitiveness, promoting sustainable development, eradicating poverty and facilitating the effective integration of all countries into the global economy, 01 49177