A/RES/53/78 Page 12 Recalling all the annual resolutions on the matter since the thirty-seventh session of the General Assembly, in 1982, including resolution 50/71 A of 12 December 1995, Noting with satisfaction that the programme is observing in 1998 its twentieth anniversary and, as designed, continues to enable an increased number of public officials, in particular from the developing countries, to acquire more expertise in the sphere of disarmament, Believing that the forms of assistance available to Member States, in particular to developing countries, under the programme will enhance the capabilities of their officials to follow ongoing deliberations and negotiations on disarmament, both bilateral and multilateral, 1. Reaffirms its decisions contained in annex IV to the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly13 and the report of the Secretary-General14 approved by the Assembly in its resolution 33/71 E of 14 December 1978; 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Governments of Germany and Japan for inviting the 1997 and 1998 fellows to study selected activities in the field of disarmament, thereby contributing to the fulfilment of the overall objectives of the programme; 3. Commends the Secretary-General for the diligence with which the programme has continued to be carried out; 4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to implement annually the Geneva-based programme within existing resources and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session; 5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fifth session the item entitled “United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services”. 79th plenary meeting 4 December 1998 14 A/33/305.