A/RES/55/245 1. Decides that the high-level international intergovernmental event on financing for development will take the form of an international conference, under the auspices of the United Nations, at the highest political level, including at the summit level, and accepts with gratitude the generous offer of Mexico to host this conference, to be named the International Conference on Financing for Development, on the understanding that the specific timing and location of the Conference will be announced by the host country during the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development; 2. Stresses the importance of effective preparations for the Conference, and welcomes the preparatory activities carried out so far, including the substantive interactive dialogue and contribution of all stakeholders during the second session of the Preparatory Committee; 3. Decides that the Preparatory Committee will hold its third session for a period of one week from 2 to 8 May 2001, and that it will hold a resumed third session for a period of another full week during October or November 2001; 4. Invites Governments to submit to the coordinating secretariat, not later than 15 April 2001, a concise identification of possible initiatives or themes, consideration of which may serve as a means to focus further the substantive preparatory work, within the framework of the substantive agenda, on the understanding that a compilation of such submissions should be available to the Preparatory Committee at its third session; 5. Decides that the Preparatory Committee, at its third session, from 2 to 8 May 2001, taking into account all inputs submitted to it at its second session and the dialogue held therein, as well as the above-mentioned compilation of submissions and other relevant inputs, will consider in greater depth issues contained in a working paper prepared by the Facilitator, which will serve as a means to focus further the discussions of the substantive preparatory work, within the framework of the substantive agenda, and in this regard encourages active participation by all relevant stakeholders in the consideration of these issues; 6. Also decides that the Preparatory Committee, at its resumed third session, in October or November 2001, will consider a concise first draft prepared by the Facilitator, reflecting the progress made at its third session and taking into account all other relevant inputs received thereafter by the Preparatory Committee, within the framework of the substantive agenda; 7. Requests the Bureau of the Preparatory Committee to explore ways and means to deepen the efforts of all relevant stakeholders, including at the regional level, as well as those made by civil society and the business sector, in support of the financing for development preparatory process, within the framework of the substantive agenda, and to submit proposals for consideration and a decision by the Preparatory Committee. 97th plenary meeting 21 March 2001 2