A/RES/55/18 Stressing the need for ensuring free and unhindered access to the holy places in Bethlehem to the faithful of all religions and the citizens of all nationalities, Expressing the renewed hope for a successful outcome of the Middle East peace process and the achievement of a final settlement between the Palestinian and Israeli sides, so that the millennium may be celebrated in an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation, 1. Welcomes this global and historic celebration in Bethlehem and the onset of the third millennium as a symbol of the shared hope for peace among all peoples of the world; 2. Expresses support for the Bethlehem 2000 Project, and commends the efforts undertaken by the Palestinian Authority in this regard; 3. Notes with appreciation the worldwide support for the Bethlehem 2000 Project, and calls for sustained assistance and engagement by the international community as a whole, including private sector participation, in ensuring the success of the Project and of this monumental commemoration; 4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to mobilize the pertinent organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to increase their efforts to ensure the successful completion of the Bethlehem 2000 Project; 5. Decides to conclude, at the current session, consideration by the General Assembly of the item entitled “Bethlehem 2000”. 54th plenary meeting 7 November 2000 2