A/RES/54/139 Page 2 Welcoming the progress made in improving the representation of women at the D–1 level, but concerned that the representation of women at the senior and policy-making levels remains significantly below the goal of 50/50 gender distribution at these levels, Welcoming also the fact that the percentage of women appointed at the D–2 level and promoted to the D–1 level exceeded the goal of 50 per cent, Concerned that the appointment of women at all other levels, with the exception of the P–2 level, falls significantly below the goal of 50 per cent, and concerned at the incremental pace at which the overall representation of women in the Secretariat has increased, Concerned also that some existing arrangements with Member States may impede the employment of spouses of United Nations staff members, 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General and the framework for action contained therein;2 2. Reaffirms the urgent goal of achieving 50/50 gender distribution in all categories of posts within the United Nations system, especially at the D–1 level and above, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, in conformity with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, and also taking into account the continuing lack of representation or under-representation of women from certain countries, in particular developing countries and countries with economies in transition; 3. Regrets that the goal of 50/50 gender distribution will not be met by the year 2000, and urges the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts to realize significant progress towards this goal by the end of 2000; 4. Requests the General Assembly, at its special session entitled “Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century”, to be held in June 2000, to consider further forwardlooking strategies for achieving 50/50 gender distribution in all categories of posts within the United Nations system, especially at the D–1 level and above, with full respect for the principle of equitable geographical distribution, in conformity with Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter, and also taking into account the continuing lack of representation or under-representation of women from certain countries, in particular developing countries and countries with economies in transition; 5. Welcomes the ongoing personal commitment of the Secretary-General to meeting the goal of gender equality and his assurance that gender balance will be given the highest priority in his continuing efforts to bring about a new management culture in the Organization, including full implementation of the special measures for the achievement of gender equality;3 6. Also welcomes the continued provision of specific training programmes on gender mainstreaming and gender issues in the workplace, tailored to meet the special needs of individual departments, and commends those heads of departments and offices who have launched gender training for their managers and staff; 2 A/54/405. 3 ST/AI/1999/9. /...