A/RES/51/46
Page 2
Deeply concerned by the continuing decrease in contributions to the
Programme, which has already affected a number of activities, beginning with
the suspension of publications such as the Disarmament Newsletter and Topical
Papers,
1.
Takes note with concern of the report of the Secretary-General of
19 July 1996 on the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme;2
2.
Commends the Secretary-General for his efforts to make effective
use of the limited resources available to him in disseminating as widely as
possible information on arms limitation and disarmament to Governments, the
media, non-governmental organizations, educational communities and research
institutes, and in carrying out a seminar and conference programme;
3.
Stresses the importance of the Programme, as a significant
instrument in enabling developing countries to participate fully in the
deliberations and negotiations on disarmament in the various United Nations
bodies;
4.
Notes with appreciation the contributions to the efforts of the
Programme by the United Nations information centres and the regional centres
for disarmament;
5.
Recommends that the Programme focus its efforts:
(a)
To inform, to educate and to generate public understanding of the
importance of multilateral action and support for it, including action by the
United Nations and the Conference on Disarmament, in the field of arms
limitation and disarmament, in a factual, balanced and objective manner, in
particular through the continuing publication in all official languages of The
United Nations Disarmament Yearbook and Disarmament: A Periodic Review by the
United Nations, and the updating of the Status of Multilateral Arms Regulation
and Disarmament Agreements;
(b)
To facilitate unimpeded access to and an exchange of information
on ideas between the public sector and public interest groups and
organizations, and to provide an independent source of balanced and factual
information that takes into account a range of views to help further an
informed debate on arms limitation, disarmament and security;
(c)
To organize meetings to facilitate exchanges of views and
information between governmental and non-governmental sectors and between
governmental and other experts in order to facilitate the search for common
ground;
6.
Invites all Member States to contribute to the Voluntary Trust
Fund for the United Nations Disarmament Information Programme;
7.
Commends the Secretary-General for supporting the efforts of
universities, other academic institutions and non-governmental organizations
active in the educational field in widening the worldwide availability of
disarmament education, and invites him to continue to support and cooperate
with educational institutions and non-governmental organizations engaged in
such efforts, without cost to the regular budget of the United Nations;
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