A/RES/53/7 Page 2 Recalling further that energy will be one of the main topics of the ninth session of the Commission on Sustainable Development in 2001, Recalling that the World Solar Summit, held at Harare on 16 and 17 September 1996, adopted the Harare Declaration on Solar Energy and Sustainable Development3 and approved the preparation of the World Solar Programme 1996–20054 aimed at improving the quality of life in both industrialized and developing countries through the wider use of renewable energies, notably in the rural areas of developing countries, and that the Programme was approved by the World Solar Commission in June 1997, Recalling also resolution 29 C/14 concerning the World Solar Programme 1996–2005, adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in November 1997,5 Considering the need to make all necessary efforts to achieve the goals set out in the Harare Declaration, Noting with appreciation the support shown and commitments made so far by a number of donor Member States, 1. Expresses its appreciation to the heads of State and Government who have agreed to serve on the World Solar Commission, and especially to the Chairman of the Commission; 2. Endorses the World Solar Programme 1996–20054 as a contribution to the overall sustainable development agenda; 3. Invites all States Members of the United Nations to contribute to the successful implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996–2005; 4. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in consultation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and in close cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme and other relevant organizations: (a) To undertake concrete action in order to ensure that the World Solar Programme 1996–2005 is fully integrated into and brought into the mainstream of the efforts of the United Nations system to attain the objective of sustainable development; (b) To bring the World Solar Programme 1996–2005 to the attention of relevant funding and technical assistance sources and to encourage them to consider contributing to its effective implementation; (c) To continue to sensitize and generate a greater degree of awareness in all Member States and international, regional and national institutions, both public and private, to the strategic importance of the World Solar Programme 1996–2005 for ensuring sustainable development; 3 A/53/395, annex, sect. II. 4 Ibid., annex. 5 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Records of the General Conference, Twenty-ninth Session, Paris, 21 October–12 November 1997, vol. 1: Resolutions. /...