Resolution 40/2. Integration of women in the Middle East peace process* The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling General Assembly resolution 50/21 of 12 December 1995, Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/52 of 28 July 1995 and Commission on the Status of Women resolution 39/3 of 31 March 1995, Recalling also the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women, 11/ Stressing that the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict will constitute a significant contribution to strengthening international peace and security, Recalling the convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle East at Madrid on 30 October 1991, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, and the subsequent bilateral negotiations, as well as the meetings of the multilateral working groups, and noting with satisfaction the broad international support for the peace process, Noting the continuing positive participation of the United Nations as a full extraregional participant in the work of the multilateral working groups, Bearing in mind the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Agreements, 12/ and subsequent agreements made in the context of the Middle East peace process, Taking into account section E of chapter IV of the Beijing Platform for Action concerning women and armed conflict, 1. Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid, and supports the subsequent bilateral negotiations; 2. Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, expresses its full support for the achievements of the peace process thus far and urges all parties to implement the agreements reached; 3. Urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to include women in the peace process; 4. Also urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to support the implementation of the Declaration of Principles and to assist the Palestinian people to ensure Palestinian women’s political development and participation; 5. Welcomes the results of the Conference to Support Middle East Peace, convened in Washington on 1 October 1993, including the establishment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, the subsequent work of the World Bank Consultative Group, welcomes also the appointment by the Secretary-General of the "United * For the discussion, see chap. II, paras. 36-41. 12/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex. -19-