A/RES/55/185 19 February 2000, 2 in which the Conference noted, inter alia, the growing technology gap between developed and developing countries, and stressed that actions were required by both developed and developing countries, among others, including the establishment of appropriate policy and legal frameworks, human resource development and the provision of technical assistance and, where possible, financial assistance and other incentives in order to narrow that gap and promote greater access, transfer and diffusion of technology to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, as well as countries with economies in transition, Recognizing the need to address the obstacles faced by developing countries in accessing new technologies, while taking into account the need to protect intellectual property rights and the special needs of developing countries, Recognizing also the importance of establishing and strengthening partnership and networking among the public and private sectors and academic institutions of the South and the North to build and strengthen the technological capabilities and skills needed for developing countries to compete in the international markets, 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, Noting that the theme of the coordination segment of the substantive session of 2001 of the Economic and Social Council will be “The role of the United Nations in promoting development, particularly with respect to access to and transfer of knowledge and technology, especially information and communication technologies, inter alia, through partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including the private sector”, Recalling that the next biennial session of the Commission will be held in 2001, Recognizing the need for adequate resources, including the provision of new and additional resources from all sources, to be devoted to fostering science and technology for development, Recognizing also the need for strengthening the role of the Commission, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on proposals for strengthening the coordination of the mechanisms on the Commission on Science and Technology for Development within the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development with the objective of promoting complementarity of activities within the United Nations system; 3 2. Welcomes the recommendations regarding the establishment of a knowledge and technology for development network contained in the report of the Secretary-General; 3. Requests the Commission to report on its biennial session, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session, in particular regarding proposals aimed at promoting complementarity of activities in the area of new and innovative technologies within the United Nations system; 2 3 2 TD/390, part II. A/55/96-E/2000/84.