A/RES/56/109 Noting with appreciation the contribution made by States and by organizations of the United Nations system to the development of cooperation to mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, the activities of regional and other organizations and those of non-governmental organizations, as well as bilateral activities, Recognizing the importance of continuing international support to the national efforts of the Governments and civil societies of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as the most affected countries, to mitigate and minimize the persisting negative effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the sustainable development of the affected areas as a result of the radiological, health, socio-economic, psychological and environmental consequences of the disaster, Welcoming the increased role played by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations resident coordinators and the United Nations country teams in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in helping to address both the developmental and the humanitarian consequences of the catastrophe, Noting the United Nations needs-assessment mission to the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in July and August 2001, as well as the visit of the Deputy United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl to those countries in October 2001, and emphasizing the need to consider incorporation of their findings and outcomes into the new United Nations strategy to mitigate the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General concerning the implementation of resolution 54/97, 1 1. Reaffirms that the United Nations plays an important catalytic and coordinating role in the strengthening of international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and commends the contribution made by all other relevant multilateral mechanisms to this end; 2. Welcomes the practical measures that have been taken by the SecretaryGeneral and the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl to strengthen coordination of the international efforts in that area, especially the appointment by the Secretary-General of the Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and Regional Director for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States as Deputy United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation on Chernobyl; 3. Also welcomes the efforts undertaken by the agencies of the United Nations system, members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl to implement a new developmental approach to studying, mitigating and minimizing the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and requests the Inter-Agency Task Force on Chernobyl to continue further its activities to that end; 4. Emphasizes the importance of full cooperation and assistance by the authorities of the affected countries in facilitating the work of humanitarian organizations, including non-governmental organizations, to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe, notes the measures already taken by the Governments of the affected countries in this regard, and encourages them to take further measures to simplify their relevant internal _______________ 1 2 A/56/447.