A/RES/51/31 Page 2 Declaration4 and Plan of Action5 adopted by the Second International Conference of New or Restored Democracies in July 1994, Recalling also the view expressed in the Managua Declaration that the international community must pay closer attention to the obstacles facing the new or restored democracies, Taking note of the views of Member States expressed in the debate on this item at its forty-ninth, fiftieth and fifty-first sessions, Taking note also of the holding of the Informal Ministerial Meeting of New or Restored Democracies in New York on 30 September 1996 in accordance with the Managua Plan of Action, Bearing in mind that such activities of the United Nations carried out in support of the efforts of Governments are undertaken in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and only at the specific request of the Member States concerned, Bearing in mind also that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and on their full participation in all aspects of their lives, Noting that a considerable number of societies have recently undertaken considerable efforts to achieve their social, political and economic goals through democratization and the reform of their economies, pursuits that are deserving of the support and recognition of the international community, Noting with satisfaction that the Third International Conference of New or Restored Democracies will take place at Bucharest from 2 to 4 September 1997, Stressing the importance of support by Member States, the United Nations system, the specialized agencies and other intergovernmental organizations of the holding of the Third International Conference, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General6 on assistance provided in the past by the United Nations, at the request of Member States, as well as important concepts and considerations that are pertinent to this question, 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General;6 2. Commends the Secretary-General, and through him the United Nations system, for the activities undertaken at the request of Governments to support the efforts to consolidate democracy, as reflected in his report; 4 A/49/713, annex I. 5 Ibid., annex II. 6 A/51/512. /...