A/RES/54/215 Page 3 2. Notes with appreciation the role of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in promoting, within its mandate, the implementation of the World Solar Programme 19962005, in particular its education and training programmes in the field of new and renewable sources of energy, and, in this context, also notes with appreciation the initiative undertaken by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization of inviting the competent organs and programmes of the United Nations system to cooperate in the implementation of the Programme; 3. Notes the role that the World Solar Commission has so far played in the mobilization of international support and assistance for the implementation of many of the national high-priority projects on renewable sources of energy included in the World Solar Programme 1996-2005, many of which are being executed with national funding; 4. Commends highly the efforts of many Member States in taking concrete national actions, including legislative measures, that have resulted in the wider use of renewable sources of energy in their countries; 5. Notes with appreciation the financial support that has been provided by some developed countries that are Members of the United Nations and some intergovernmental organizations, within and outside the United Nations system, in the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005; 6. Calls upon all relevant funding institutions and bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as regional funding institutions and non-governmental organizations, to support, as appropriate, the efforts being made for the development of the renewable energy sector in developing countries on the basis of environmentfriendly, renewable sources of energy of demonstrated viability, while taking fully into account the development structure of energy-based economies of developing countries, and to assist in the attainment of the levels of investment necessary to expand energy supplies beyond urban areas; 7. Takes note of the decision of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding the strategic importance of the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme 1996-2005 in attaining the objective of sustainable development,7 and encourages the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to make efforts to promote public awareness in all Member States in this regard, with the support of international, regional and national institutions, both public and private; 8. Invites all Governments to encourage the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, in the promotion of research on and the development of renewable sources of energy, in particular, within this context, in the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996-2005, in accordance with their respective national policies; 9. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to promote the mobilization of adequate technical assistance and funding and the full utilization of existing international funds for the effective implementation of national and regional high-priority projects in the area of renewable sources of energy; 7 See United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Records of the General Conference, Thirtieth Session, Paris, 26 October - 17 November 1999, vol. 1: Resolutions, resolution 19. /...