A/RES/55/42 solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, Expressing grave concern over the human casualties caused by natural disasters and their devastating impact on the socio-economic situation of some States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Noting with appreciation the decision of the Economic Cooperation Organization to hold ministerial-level meetings in the areas of energy, agriculture, industry and human development, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 54/100 of 9 December 1999, 1 and expresses satisfaction at the enhanced pace of mutually beneficial interaction between the two organizations; 2. Stresses the importance of cooperation between the United Nations system and the Economic Cooperation Organization to address the challenges and opportunities of globalization in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization by promoting the integration of States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, as appropriate, into the world economy, particularly in areas of concern to States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, inter alia, trade, finance and transfer of technology; 3. Notes the holding of ministerial-level meetings in the transport and communications sector and in commerce/foreign trade, which, inter alia, resulted in the adoption of annexes to the Economic Cooperation Organization Transit Transport Framework Agreement and a framework agreement on trade, respectively; 4. Welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Economic Cooperation Organization and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in November 1999, and expresses the hope that their mutual cooperation will add impetus to the ongoing trade/transit trade and transport arrangements in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization; 5. Notes with satisfaction the increasing cooperation between the Economic Cooperation Organization and the World Trade Organization which has accorded observer status to the former, and the increasing involvement of the Economic Cooperation Organization in the relevant forums and ministerial conferences of the World Trade Organization, and also notes the holding of joint Economic Cooperation Organization and World Trade Organization seminars on trade negotiation simulation; 6. Welcomes the growing cooperation between the Economic Cooperation Organization and relevant international financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, in particular the financial assistance extended by the latter in the fields of transport, trade, energy and agriculture; 7. Expresses satisfaction at the regional arrangements made by the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization for transporting the oil and gas of the region to different parts of the world; 8. Welcomes the holding of a joint Economic Cooperation Organization and United Nations Population Fund Conference on Expanding Contraceptive Choice 1 2 A/55/122.