A/RES/51/151
Page 2
Recalling that, in its resolutions 46/20, 47/148 and 48/25, it,
inter alia, urged the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the relevant
agencies of the United Nations system to extend their support for the
establishment of the African Economic Community,
Recalling also its resolution 48/214 of 23 December 1993 on the
implementation of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa
in the 1990s,
Taking note of the resolutions, decisions and declarations adopted by
the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its sixtyfourth ordinary session, held at Yaoundé from 1 to 5 July 1996, and by the
Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity
at its thirty-second ordinary session, held at Yaoundé from 8 to 10 July
1996,2
Considering the important statement made by the Chairman of the Assembly
of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity before
the General Assembly on 24 October 1996,3
Mindful of the need for continued and closer cooperation between the
United Nations and its specialized agencies and the Organization of African
Unity, in particular in the political, economic, social, technical, cultural
and administrative fields,
Noting that the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and
Resolution of the Organization of African Unity is developing its capacity in
preventive diplomacy,
Also noting the efforts of the Organization of African Unity, and the
support and assistance of the United Nations, to promote the peaceful
settlement of disputes and conflicts in Africa and the harmonious continuation
of the process of democratization,
Deeply concerned that, despite the policies of reform being implemented
by most African countries, their economic situation remains critical and
African recovery and development continue to be severely hindered by the
persistence of lower-level commodity prices, the heavy debt burden and the
paucity of funding possibilities,
Aware of the efforts being made by the Organization of African Unity and
its States members in the area of economic integration and of the need to
accelerate the process of implementation of the African Economic Community,
Deeply concerned about the gravity of the situation of refugees and
displaced persons in Africa and the urgent need for increased international
assistance to help refugees and, subsequently, African countries of asylum,
2
A/51/524, annexes I and II.
3
See Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-first Session,
Plenary meetings, 40th meeting, and corrigendum.
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