A/RES/51/150 Page 2 Noting, in the light of the recent developments in the peace process, the great economic and social challenges facing the Palestinian people and their leadership, Conscious of the urgent necessity for international assistance to the Palestinian people, taking into account the Palestinian priorities, Noting the convening of the United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People, "Building the Palestinian Economy - Challenges and Prospects",2 held at Cairo from 21 to 23 May 1996, Stressing the need for the full engagement of the United Nations in the process of building Palestinian institutions and in providing broad assistance to the Palestinian people, including assistance in the fields of elections, police training and public administration, Noting the appointment by the Secretary-General in June 1994 of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories, Welcoming the results of the Conference to Support Middle East Peace, convened in Washington, D.C., on 1 October 1993, and the establishment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee and the work being done by the World Bank as its secretariat, as well as the establishment of the consultative group and the convening in Paris, on 9 January 1996, of the Ministerial Conference on Economic Assistance to the Palestinian People, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,3 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;3 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his rapid response and efforts regarding assistance to the Palestinian people; 3. Also expresses its appreciation to the Member States, United Nations bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have provided and continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people; 4. Stresses the importance of the work done by the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories and of the steps taken under the auspices of the Secretary-General to ensure the achievement of a coordinated mechanism for United Nations activities throughout the occupied territories; 5. Urges Member States, international financial institutions of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and regional and interregional organizations to extend, as rapidly and as generously as possible, economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in order to assist in the development of the West Bank and Gaza, and to do so in close cooperation with the Palestine Liberation Organization and through official Palestinian institutions; 2 A/51/166-E/1996/67. 3 A/51/171-E/1996/75. /...