A/RES/57/146 Gravely concerned at the negative impact of war on the promotion of sustainable development in the Great Lakes Region, Deeply concerned at the continued extensive destruction of life and property, as well as the severe damage to infrastructure and the environment suffered by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bearing in mind the fact that the Democratic Republic of the Congo hosts thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries, which places a great burden on its limited resources, and expressing the hope that conditions will be created that will facilitate a safe and voluntary return of refugees, Recalling that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a least developed country with severe economic and social problems arising from its weak economic infrastructure and aggravated by the ongoing conflict, Bearing in mind the close interrelationship between ensuring peace and security and the ability of the country to meet the humanitarian needs of its people and take effective steps towards the rapid revitalization of the economy, and reaffirming the urgent need to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of its damaged economy and in its efforts to restore basic services and the infrastructure of the country, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 4 2. Welcomes the signature by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda of the Peace Agreement in Pretoria on 30 July 2002 5 and the signature by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Uganda of the Luanda Agreement on 6 September 2002, and also welcomes the efforts of the Governments of South Africa and Angola, and of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in facilitating the adoption of these agreements; 3. Urges all parties concerned in the region to cease military activities and to cease any support for armed groups; 4. Welcomes the decision taken by all foreign parties fully to withdraw their troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the progress made in the implementation of those processes, stresses the importance of the withdrawals being completed in a transparent, orderly and verified manner, and calls upon the signatories to these agreements to implement them fully; 5. Urges all parties concerned in the region to cease any recruitment, training and use of child soldiers, welcomes the initial steps taken by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to demobilize and reintegrate child soldiers, and urges the Government and all parties to continue their efforts in this regard; 6. Welcomes the commitment of the Congolese parties to achieve an inclusive agreement on the political transition, stresses the importance of such an agreement to the wider peace process, and calls upon all Congolese parties to cooperate actively with a view to the speedy conclusion of such an agreement which is needed for improved humanitarian access; _______________ 4 5 2 A/57/377. S/2002/914, annex.