A/RES/59/250 I Introduction 1. Takes note with appreciation of the reports of the Secretary-General on the triennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system; 3 2. Reaffirms that the fundamental characteristics of the operational activities for development of the United Nations system should be, inter alia, their universal, voluntary and grant nature, their neutrality and their multilateralism, as well as their ability to respond to the development needs of recipient countries in a flexible manner, and that the operational activities are carried out for the benefit of recipient countries, at the request of those countries and in accordance with their own policies and priorities for development; 3. Urges all Member States to pursue the full implementation of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,1 and recognizes the positive contribution that these can make in providing direction to the operational activities for development of the United Nations system in accordance with national development efforts and priorities; 4. Recognizes that the strength of the United Nations operational system lies in its legitimacy, at the country level, as a neutral, objective and trusted partner for both recipient countries and donor countries; 5. Stresses that national Governments have the primary responsibility for their countries’ development, and recognizes the importance of national ownership of development programmes; 6. Emphasizes that recipient Governments have the primary responsibility for coordinating, on the basis of national strategies and priorities, all types of external assistance, including that provided by multilateral organizations, in order to integrate effectively such assistance into their development process; 7. Emphasizes also that the operational activities for development of the United Nations system should be valued and assessed on the basis of their impact on the recipient countries as contributions to enhance their capacity to pursue poverty eradication, sustained economic growth and sustainable development; 8. Calls upon the United Nations development system to highlight best practices, where these can inform national efforts to implement policies that promote sustained economic growth and sustainable development, inter alia, through the rule of law and the strengthening of effective, efficient, transparent and accountable systems for mobilizing resources; 9. Decides that, with the agreement of the host country, the United Nations development system should assist national Governments in creating an enabling environment in which the links between national Governments, the United Nations development system, civil society, national non-governmental organizations and the private sector that are involved in the development process are strengthened, with a view to seeking new and innovative solutions to development problems in accordance with national policies and priorities; _______________ 3 A/59/84-E/2004/53, A/59/85-E/2004/68, A/59/386 and A/59/387. 3