Plan International - Girls' Rights Platform - Girls' rights are human rights: Positioning girls at the heart of the international agenda

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which the Atlantic Ocean, in the region situated between Africa and South America, was solemnly declared a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

The General Assembly,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, in which it urged States of the region to continue their actions aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, especially through the implementation of specific programmes,

Noting with appreciation the commitment of Member States towards fulfilling the goals of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and their engagement in its revitalization through a number of initiatives, as reaffirmed during the seventh ministerial meeting of the zone, held in Montevideo on 15 and 16 January 2013, and building on the Luanda Initiative,

4. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system, and invites relevant partners, including international financial institutions, to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic may seek in their joint efforts to continue to implement the Montevideo Plan of Action;

5. Encourages the convening of ministerial meetings on a biennial basis, as well as annual meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, and the establishment of a follow-up mechanism, as decided in the Montevideo Declaration;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its seventieth session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

6. Acknowledges the presentation during the seventh ministerial meeting of a number of bilateral cooperation programmes which complement the efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation within the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its seventieth session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

Reaffirming that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable, and considering that cooperation among States, in particular those of the region, for peace and development is essential for the promotion of the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

3. Calls upon States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives of peace and cooperation established in resolution 41/11 and reiterated in the Montevideo Declaration and the Montevideo Plan of Action;

1. Stresses the role of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a forum for increased interaction and support among its member States;

7. Recalls the offer by the Government of Cabo Verde to host the eighth ministerial meeting of the States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic in 2015;

2. Recalls with appreciation the holding of the seventh ministerial meeting of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and the adoption of the Montevideo Declaration 2 and the Montevideo Plan of Action;

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, 1

Reaffirming also the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the States of the region,

7. Also welcomes the offer by the Government of Cape Verde to host the eighth ministerial meeting of the States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic in 2015;

2. Welcomes the holding of the seventh ministerial meeting of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, and takes note of the adoption of the Montevideo Declaration 2 and the Montevideo Plan of Action;

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which the Atlantic Ocean, in the region situated between Africa and South America, was solemnly declared a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, in which it urged States of the region to continue their actions aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, especially through the implementation of specific programmes,

3. Calls upon States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives of peace and cooperation established in resolution 41/11 and reiterated in the Montevideo Declaration and the Montevideo Plan of Action;

4. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system, and invites relevant partners, including international financial institutions, to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic may seek in their joint efforts to implement the Montevideo Plan of Action;

The General Assembly,

9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-ninth session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

6. Welcomes the presentation during the seventh ministerial meeting of a number of bilateral cooperation programmes which complement the efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation within the zone;

5. Encourages the convening of ministerial meetings on a biennial basis, as well as annual meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, and the establishment of a follow-up mechanism, as decided in the Montevideo Declaration;

Reaffirming that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable, and considering that cooperation among States, in particular those of the region, for peace and development is essential for the promotion of the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Noting with appreciation the commitment of Member States towards fulfilling the goals of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and their engagement in its revitalization through a number of initiatives, as reaffirmed during the seventh ministerial meeting of the zone, held in Montevideo on 15 and 16 January 2013, and building on the Luanda Initiative,

Reaffirming also the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the States of the region,

8. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its sixty- ninth session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

2. Calls upon States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives of peace and cooperation established in resolution 41/11 and reiterated in the Luanda Final Declaration 0F 1 and the Luanda Plan of Action;

1. Stresses the role of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a forum for increased interaction among its member States;

Recalling its relevant resolutions, in which it urged States of the region to continue their actions aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, especially through the implementation of specific programmes,

4. Welcomes the round table hosted by the Government of Brazil on 6 and 7 December 2010 in Brasilia, which was aimed, inter alia, at gathering inputs for a new programme of work for the zone, and thanks the Government of Brazil for its initiative and generosity;

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming also the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the States of the region,

3. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system, and invites relevant partners, including international financial institutions, to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic may seek in their joint efforts to implement the Luanda Plan of Action;

5. Also welcomes the offer by the Government of Uruguay to host the seventh ministerial meeting of the States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-seventh session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

6. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its sixty- seventh session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which the Atlantic Ocean, in the region situated between Africa and South America, was solemnly declared a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Reaffirming that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable, and considering that cooperation among States, in particular those of the region, for peace and development is essential for the promotion of the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which the Atlantic Ocean, in the region situated between Africa and South America, was solemnly declared a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Reaffirming that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable, and considering that cooperation among States, in particular those of the region, for peace and development is essential for the promotion of the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

The General Assembly,

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixty-third session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, 1

2. Welcomes the holding of the sixth ministerial meeting of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, and takes note with appreciation of the adoption of the Luanda Final Declaration 2 as well as the Luanda Plan of Action;

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

4. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system, and invites relevant partners, including international financial institutions, to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic may seek in their joint efforts to implement the Luanda Plan of Action;

Recalling its relevant resolutions, in which it urged States of the region to continue their actions aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, especially through the implementation of specific programmes,

3. Calls upon States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives of peace and cooperation established in resolution 41/11 and reiterated in the Luanda Final Declaration and the Luanda Plan of Action;

Reaffirming also the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the countries of the region,

1. Stresses the role of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a forum for increased interaction among its member States, and acknowledges the valuable contribution made by the first Africa-South America Summit, held in Abuja from 26 to 30 November 2006, particularly in reference to paragraph 7 of the Abuja Declaration in which participants mandated the strengthening of regional cooperation on peace and security among organizations and mechanisms of which they were members, mentioning the zone as an important instrument for consolidating peace and security;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of its resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

5. Welcomes the offer by the Government of Uruguay to host the seventh ministerial meeting of the States members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic in 2009;

Noting with appreciation the efforts of Member States towards fulfilling the goals of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and their engagement in its revitalization by, among other actions, holding thematic workshops in the framework of the Luanda Initiative, as a preparatory process of the sixth ministerial meeting of the zone, held in Luanda, on 18 and 19 June 2007,

Recalling the agreement reached at the third meeting of the States members of the zone, held in Brasilia on 21 and 22 September 1994, to encourage democracy and political pluralism and, in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 1 to promote and defend all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate towards the achievement of these goals,

Welcoming the adoption of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in New York from 9 to 20 July 2001, 2

8. Welcomes the offer by Benin to host the sixth meeting of the States members of the zone;

The General Assembly,

4. Commends regional efforts being undertaken by States members of the zone in support of the implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, 2 and calls upon them to keep up their efforts in this regard;

7. Recognizes, in the light of the number, magnitude and complexity of natural disasters and other emergencies, the need to continue to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance by States members of the zone, so as to ensure a timely and effective response;

1. Calls upon all States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives established in the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and to refrain from any action inconsistent with those objectives and with the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions of the Organization, in particular actions that may create or aggravate situations of tension and potential conflict in the region;

9. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone may seek in their joint efforts to implement the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

Reaffirming also that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable and that cooperation for peace and development among States of the region will promote the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

11. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its sixtieth session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the matter, including resolution 45/36 of 27 November 1990, in which it reaffirmed the determination of the States of the zone to enhance and accelerate their cooperation in the political, economic, scientific, cultural and other spheres,

Aware of the importance that the States of the zone attach to the protection of the environment of the region, and recognizing the threat that pollution from any source poses to the marine and coastal environment, its ecological balance and its resources,

3. Encourages all States, in particular the members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, to cooperate in promoting and strengthening global, regional, subregional and national initiatives to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;

2. Notes with satisfaction the full entry into force of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), 4 and also notes with satisfaction the progress towards the full entry into force of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); 5

Reaffirming the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the countries of the region,

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 56/7 of 21 November 2001, 3

10. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the matter under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which it solemnly declared the Atlantic Ocean, in the region between Africa and South America, a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

5. Affirms the importance of the South Atlantic to global maritime and commercial transactions, and its determination to preserve the region for all peaceful purposes and activities protected by international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 6

6. Views with concern the increase in drug trafficking and related crimes, including drug abuse, and calls upon the international community and the States members of the zone to promote regional and international cooperation to combat all aspects of the problem of drugs and related offences;

3. Encourages all States, in particular the members of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic, to cooperate in promoting and strengthening global, regional, subregional and national initiatives to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;

13. Welcomes the return to constitutional and democratic order in Guinea- Bissau following the holding of free and fair presidential and legislative elections on 16 January 2000, and calls upon the international community and the Government of Guinea-Bissau to support the economic reconstruction of Guinea-Bissau and promote the consolidation of democracy there;

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, submitted in accordance with General Assembly resolution 55/49 of 29 November 2000, 3

8. Calls upon Member States to continue their efforts towards the achievement of appropriate regulation of maritime transport of radioactive and toxic wastes, taking into account the interests of coastal States and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the regulations of the International Maritime Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency;

14. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-eighth session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

Reaffirming the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the countries of the region,

Reaffirming that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable and that cooperation for peace and development among States of the region will promote the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which it solemnly declared the Atlantic Ocean, in the region between Africa and South America, a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

12. Views with concern the humanitarian effects on the civilian population of the present situation in Angola, commends in this regard the efforts of Member States, including the Government of Angola, and humanitarian organizations in rendering humanitarian assistance to Angola, and urges them to continue to provide and to increase such assistance;

1. Calls upon all States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives established in the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and to refrain from any action inconsistent with those objectives and with the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions of the Organization, in particular actions that may create or aggravate situations of tension and potential conflict in the region;

Welcoming the adoption of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects, held in New York from 9 to 20 July 2001, 2

20. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the matter under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

9. Views with concern the increase in drug trafficking and related crimes, including drug abuse, and calls upon the international community and the States members of the zone to promote regional and international cooperation to combat all aspects of the problem of drugs and related offences;

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the matter, including resolution 45/36 of 27 November 1990, in which it reaffirmed the determination of the States of the zone to enhance and accelerate their cooperation in the political, economic, scientific, cultural and other spheres,

13. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the implementation of resolution 41/11 and subsequent resolutions on the matter under review and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, taking into account, inter alia, the views expressed by Member States;

Recalling the agreement reached at the third meeting of the States members of the zone, held in Brasilia in 1994, to encourage democracy and political pluralism and, in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 1 to promote and defend all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate towards the achievement of these goals,

5. Welcomes with satisfaction the holding of the fifth meeting of the States members of the zone in Buenos Aires, on 21 and 22 October 1998, and takes note of the Final Declaration and Plan of Action adopted at the meeting; 3

7. Also welcomes the entry into force of the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials, adopted in November 1997, 6 and the adoption of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions by the Organization of American States in June 1999;

10. Recognizes, in the light of the number, magnitude and complexity of natural disasters and other emergencies, the need to continue to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance by States members of the zone, so as to ensure a timely and effective response;

6. Welcomes the progress towards the full entry into force of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) 4 and of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); 5

10. Reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of all States in the region, and calls upon all the parties to the conflict to cease the hostilities and to fulfil their obligations under the Ceasefire Agreement signed in Lusaka; 10

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which it solemnly declared the Atlantic Ocean, in the region between Africa and South America, a zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Aware of the importance that the States of the zone attach to the protection of the environment of the region, and recognizing the threat that pollution from any source poses to the marine and coastal environment, its ecological balance and its resources,

4. Recalls the agreement reached at the third meeting of the States members of the zone, held in Brasilia in 1994, to encourage democracy and political pluralism and, in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 2 to promote and defend all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate towards the achievement of those goals;

2. Calls upon all States to cooperate in the promotion of the objectives established in the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic and to refrain from any action inconsistent with those objectives and with the Charter of the United Nations and relevant resolutions of the Organization, in particular actions that may create or aggravate situations of tension and potential conflict in the region;

11. Welcomes the offer by Benin to host the sixth meeting of the States members of the zone;

7. Affirms the importance of the South Atlantic to global maritime and commercial transactions and its determination to preserve the region for all peaceful purposes and activities protected by international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 12

19. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone may seek in their joint efforts to implement the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

16. Views with concern the increase in drug trafficking and related crimes, including drug abuse, and calls upon the international community and the States members of the zone to promote regional and international cooperation to combat all aspects of the problem of drugs and related offences;

The General Assembly,

4. Welcomes in this regard the entry into force of the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials, adopted in November 1997, 6 and the adoption of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions by the Organization of American States in June 1999; 7

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the matter, including resolution 45/36 of 27 November 1990, in which it reaffirmed the determination of the States of the zone to enhance and accelerate their cooperation in the political, economic, scientific, cultural and other spheres,

15. Calls upon Member States to continue their efforts towards the achievement of appropriate regulation of maritime transport of radioactive and toxic wastes, taking into account the interests of coastal States and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the regulations of the International Maritime Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency;

Reaffirming also that the questions of peace and security and those of development are interrelated and inseparable and that cooperation for peace and development among States of the region will promote the objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

Aware of the importance that the States of the zone attach to the protection of the environment of the region, and recognizing the threat that pollution from any source poses to the marine and coastal environment, its ecological balance and its resources,

The General Assembly,

2. Welcomes the progress towards the full entry into force of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) 4 and of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); 5

14. Affirms the importance of the South Atlantic to global maritime and commercial transactions and its determination to preserve the region for all peaceful purposes and activities protected by international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 13

6. Reaffirms the importance for Member States to contribute by all means at their disposal to an effective and lasting peace in Angola, and in that context reiterates that the primary cause of the present situation in Angola is the failure of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi, to comply with its obligations under the Peace Accords, 10 the Lusaka Protocol 11 and relevant Security Council resolutions;

12. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone may seek in their joint efforts to implement the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

18. Welcomes the offer by Benin to host the sixth meeting of the States members of the zone;

1. Reaffirms the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the countries of the region;

17. Recognizes, in the light of the number, magnitude and complexity of natural disasters and other emergencies, the need to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance by States members of the zone, so as to ensure a timely and effective response;

11. Reaffirms the importance for Member States to contribute by all means at their disposal to an effective and lasting peace in Angola, and in that context reiterates that the primary cause of the present situation in Angola is the failure of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, under the leadership of Jonas Savimbi, to comply with its obligations under the Peace Accords, 11 the Lusaka Protocol 12 and relevant Security Council resolutions;

9. Underlines the fact that sustainable peace and security in Sierra Leone can only be achieved through the fulfilment of the broad objectives of the Peace Agreement signed in Lomé on 7 July 1999, 9 including full disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, the legitimate exploitation of natural resources of Sierra Leone for the benefit of its people, full respect for the human rights of all, national reconciliation, effective action on the issues of impunity and accountability, the full extension of the authority of the State of Sierra Leone, and a free and inclusive democratic process leading to elections;

5. Also welcomes the Bamako Declaration on an African Common Position on the Illicit Proliferation, Circulation and Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons, adopted by the Ministers of the States members of the Organization of African Unity on 1 December 2000, 8 the Declaration concerning Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in the Southern African Development Community, adopted by the Heads of State or Government of the States members of the Community at Windhoek on 9 March 2001, 9 as well as the Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other Related Materials in the Southern African Development Community Region, adopted by the Heads of State and Government of the States members of the Community at Blantyre, Malawi, in August 2001, and the initiatives taken by States members of the Economic Community of West African States to further extend their agreement on a moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons;

21. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-sixth session the item entitled “Zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic”.

3. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, 1 submitted in accordance with its resolution 54/35 of 24 November 1999;

8. Further welcomes the decision on the illicit proliferation, circulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons taken by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held in Algiers in July 1999, 7 as well as the decisions on the prevention and combating of illicit trafficking in small arms and related crimes taken by the Council of the Southern African Development Community at its nineteenth Summit of Heads of State or Government, held in Maputo in August 1999, 8 and the initiatives taken by States members of the Economic Community of West African States to conclude their agreement on a moratorium on the importing, exporting and manufacture of light weapons;

3. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General, 1 submitted in accordance with its resolution 53/34 of 25 November 1998;

17. Affirms the importance of the South Atlantic to global maritime and commercial transactions and its determination to preserve the region for all peaceful purposes and activities protected by international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea; 13

10. Also welcomes the signing of the Peace Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front, 9 in Lomé on 7 July 1999, calls upon the respective parties to implement the agreement fully, commends in this regard the President of Togo and the Economic Community of West African States, together with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sierra Leone and all those involved in facilitating the negotiations in Lomé, on their contribution to this achievement, and welcomes the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1270 (1999) of 22 October 1999 on the establishment of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone;

12. Welcomes the signing of the Ceasef ire Agreement on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 10 in Lusaka on 10 July 1999, and the adoption by the Security Council of resolution 1258 (1999) of 6 August 1999, commends in that context the Organization of African Unity and the Southern African Development Community and, in particular, the President of Zambia, for their efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict, and also commends the Secretary-General, the Special Envoy of the Secretary- General for the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Representative of the Secretary- General to the Great Lakes Region and all those who contributed to the peace process;

16. Notes the commitment of the provisional Government of Guinea-Bissau to holding legislative and presidential elections on 28 November 1999, and calls upon the international community and the Government of Guinea-Bissau to support the economic reconstruction of, and to promote the consolidation of democracy in, Guinea-Bissau;

18. Calls upon Member States to continue their efforts towards the achievement of appropriate regulation of maritime transport of radioactive and toxic wastes, taking into account the interests of coastal States and in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the regulations of the International Maritime Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency;

5. Welcomes with satisfaction the holding of the fifth meeting of the States members of the zone in Buenos Aires, on 21 and 22 October 1998, and takes note of the Final Declaration and Plan of Action adopted at the meeting; 3

The General Assembly,

9. Welcomes the restoration of democracy in Nigeria and the commitment of the present Nigerian Government to transparency and good governance;

4. Recalls the agreement reached at the third meeting of the States members of the zone, held in Brasilia in 1994, to encourage democracy and political pluralism and, in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993, 2 to promote and defend all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to cooperate towards the achievement of those goals;

Recalling its resolution 41/11 of 27 October 1986, in which it solemnly declared the Atlantic Ocean, in the region between Africa and South America, the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic,

20. Recognizes, in the light of the number, magnitude and complexity of natural disasters and other emergencies, the need to strengthen the coordination of humanitarian assistance by States members of the zone, so as to ensure a timely and effective response;

19. Views with concern the increase in drug trafficking and related crimes, including drug abuse, and calls upon the international community and the States members of the zone to promote regional and international cooperation to combat all aspects of the problem of drugs and related offences;

21. Welcomes the offer by Benin to host the sixth meeting of the States members of the zone;

8. Further welcomes the decision on the illicit proliferation, circulation and traffic king of small arms and light weapons 7 taken by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held in Algiers in July 1999, as well as the decisions on the prevention and combating of illicit trafficking in small arms and related crimes 8 taken by the Council of the Southern African Development Community at its nineteenth Summit of Heads of State or Government, held in Maputo in August 1999, and the initiatives taken by States members of the Economic Community of West African States to conclude their agreement on a moratorium on the importing, exporting and manufacture of light weapons;

15. Views with concern the humanitarian effects on the civilian population of the present situation in Angola, commends in this regard the efforts of Member States, including the Government of Angola, and humanitarian organizations in rendering humanitarian assistance to Angola, and urges them to continue to provide and to increase such assistance;

Recalling also its subsequent resolutions on the matter, including resolution 45/36 of 27 November 1990, in which it reaffirmed the determination of the States of the zone to enhance and accelerate their cooperation in the political, economic, scientific, cultural and other spheres,

7. Also welcomes the entry into force of the Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and Other Related Materials, 6 adopted in November 1997, and the adoption of the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in June 1999;

6. Welcomes the progress towards the full entry into force of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) 4 and of the African Nuclear-Weapon- Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba); 5

13. Calls for the full implementation of the Lus aka Ceasefire Agreement, urges all the parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engage in a process of political dialogue and negotiation without delay, and calls upon the international community to extend the necessary support to the Organization of African Unity, the United Nations and the Joint Military Commission to enable them to carry out their mandate without further delay;

1. Reaffirms the importance of the purposes and objectives of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic as a basis for the promotion of cooperation among the countries of the region;

11. Further welcomes the decision taken by the Government of Liberia to destroy arms and ammunition collected during the disarmament exercise and the completion in Liberia in October of 1999 of the weapons destruction programme, an important step in the fight against the proliferation of arms, which would promote peace, confidence and cooperation in the region;

22. Requests the relevant organizations, organs and bodies of the United Nations system to render all appropriate assistance that States members of the zone may seek in their joint efforts to implement the declaration of the zone of peace and cooperation of the South Atlantic;

Aware of the importance that the States of the zone attach to the environment of the region, and recognizing the threat that pollution from any source poses to the marine and coastal environment, its ecological balance and its resources,