A/RES/55/181 against the backdrop of increased trade and capital flows and advancement in technology in the region, Recognizing that, to be effective, a transit transport strategy for the newly independent and developing landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours should incorporate actions that address both the problems inherent in the use of existing transit routes and those associated with the early development and smooth functioning of new alternative routes, and welcoming in this context the further cooperation of landlocked States with all interested countries, Noting that there have been a number of important developments at the subregional and regional levels, including the signing at Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 9 May 1998, of a transit transport framework agreement among States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, the signing on 26 March 1998 by the heads of State of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific of the Tashkent Declaration on the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, 3 the implementation of the expanded Transport Corridor-Europe-Caucasus-Asia programme and the signing on 8 September 1998 of the Baku Declaration, 4 Welcoming the presentation of the United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia, held at Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 27 April 2000, the adoption of the concept of the Special Programme and the joint statement by the Governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the Economic Commission for Europe and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Emphasizing once again the importance of strengthening international support measures to address further the problems of the newly independent and developing landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours, 1. Notes with appreciation the contribution of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to improving the efficiency of the transit transport system in the landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours; 2. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Governments concerned, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, the Economic Commission for Europe and relevant regional and international organizations and in accordance with approved programme priorities and within existing financial resources, to continue to elaborate a programme for improving the efficiency of the current transit environment in the newly independent and developing landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours; 3. Invites the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in close cooperation with the regional commissions within their respective mandates and current resources, as well as with other relevant international organizations, to provide technical assistance and advisory services to the newly independent 3 4 2 A/53/96, annex II. A/C.2/53/4, annex.