A/RES/52/172 Page 2 Conscious of the long-term nature of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, which was a major technological catastrophe in terms of its scope and created humanitarian, environmental, social, economic and health consequences and problems of common concern, requiring for their solution wide and active international cooperation and coordination of efforts in this field at the international and national levels, Expressing profound concern about the ongoing effects on the lives and health of people, in particular children, in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as well as in other countries affected by the Chernobyl disaster, Taking into consideration the findings and outcome of the United Nations needs-assessment mission to the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in May 1997, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nations-sponsored international seminar on the theme "Chernobyl and beyond: humanitarian assistance to victims of technological disasters", held in Moscow in May 1997, Noting the readiness of Ukraine in principle to close the Chernobyl nuclear power plant by 2000, bearing in mind the need for adequate support from relevant countries and international organizations for that purpose, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General concerning the implementation of resolution 50/134,2 1. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in the implementation of the relevant General Assembly resolutions and, through existing coordination mechanisms, in particular the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl, to continue to maintain close cooperation with the agencies of the United Nations system, as well as with regional and other relevant organizations, with a view to encouraging the regular exchange of information, cooperation and coordination of multilateral and bilateral efforts in those areas, while implementing programmes and specific projects, inter alia, in the framework of relevant agreements and arrangements; 2. Invites States, in particular donor States, relevant multilateral financial institutions and other concerned parties of the international community, including non-governmental organizations, to continue to provide support to the ongoing efforts made by Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster; 3. Welcomes the decision of the heads of State and Government of the seven major industrial States and the European Union, adopted at Denver, United States of America, in June 1997, regarding assistance in securing the environmental safety of the sarcophagus covering the remains of the destroyed Chernobyl reactor and the allocation of 300 million United States dollars for a shelter implementation plan; 4. Expresses its appreciation for the contributions made to the shelter implementation plan at the International Chernobyl Shelter Pledging Conference for Governments, held in New York on 20 November 1997, and urges further contributions to the plan; 5. Welcomes the preparation by the United Nations, in cooperation with the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, of the inter-agency programme of international assistance to areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster; 2 A/52/537. /...