A/RES/50/158 Page 2 Recalling that, in its resolutions 46/20, 47/148 and 48/25, it, inter alia, urged the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the relevant agencies of the United Nations system to extend their support for the establishment of the African Economic Community, Recalling also its resolution 48/214 of 23 December 1993 on the implementation of the United Nations New Agenda for the Development of Africa in the 1990s, Taking note of the resolutions, decisions and declarations adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its sixtysecond ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 21 to 23 June 1995, and by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-first ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 26 to 28 June 1995, 2/ Considering the important statement made by the representative of the current Chairman of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity before the General Assembly on 27 September 1995, 3/ Mindful of the need for continued and closer cooperation between the United Nations and its specialized agencies and the Organization of African Unity, in particular in the political, economic, social, technical, cultural and administrative fields, Noting that the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution of the Organization of African Unity is developing its capacity in preventive diplomacy, Also noting the efforts of the Organization of African Unity, and the support and assistance of the United Nations, to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes and conflicts in Africa and the harmonious continuation of the process of democratization, Deeply concerned that, despite the policies of reform being implemented by most African countries, their economic situation remains critical and African recovery and development continue to be severely hindered by the persistence of lower-level commodity prices, the heavy debt burden and the paucity of funding possibilities, Aware of the efforts being made by the Organization of African Unity and its member States in the area of economic integration and of the need to accelerate the process of implementation of the African Economic Community, Deeply concerned also about the gravity of the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa and the urgent need for increased international assistance to help refugees and, subsequently, African countries of asylum, 2/ A/50/647, annexes I and II. 3/ See A/50/PV.9. 96-76951 /...