A/RES/55/81 Mindful of the importance of the contributions of the Committee to the effective implementation of the Convention and to the efforts of the United Nations to combat racism and all other forms of discrimination based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, Noting that the reports submitted by States parties under the Convention contain, inter alia, information about the causes of, as well as measures to combat, contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, Emphasizing the obligation of all States parties to the Convention to take legislative, judicial and other measures in order to secure full implementation of the provisions of the Convention, Recalling its resolution 47/111 of 16 December 1992, in which it welcomed the decision, taken on 15 January 1992 by the Fourteenth Meeting of States Parties to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, 4 to amend paragraph 6 of article 8 of the Convention and to add a new paragraph, as paragraph 7 of article 8, with a view to providing for the financing of the Committee from the regular budget of the United Nations, and reiterating its deep concern that the amendment to the Convention has not yet entered into force, Stressing the importance of enabling the Committee to function smoothly and to have all necessary facilities for the effective performance of its functions under the Convention, I Reports of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 1. Takes note of the reports of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on its fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth 5 and its fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions; 6 2. Commends the Committee for its continuing efforts to contribute to the effective implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,1 especially the examination of reports under article 9 and action on communications under article 14 of the Convention, which contribute to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; 3. Calls upon States parties to fulfil their obligation, under paragraph 1 of article 9 of the Convention, to submit their periodic reports on measures taken to implement the Convention in due time; 4. Expresses its concern at the fact that a great number of reports are overdue and continue to be overdue, in particular initial reports, which constitutes an obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention; 5. Encourages States parties to the Convention whose reports are seriously overdue to avail themselves of the advisory services and technical assistance that the 4 See CERD/SP/45, annex. Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-fourth Session, Supplement No. 18 and addendum (A/54/18 and Add.1). 6 Ibid., Fifty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 18 and addendum (A/55/18 and Add.1). 5 2