A/RES/56/64 Information and Communications Technology Task Force with a view to bridging the digital divide and as a response to the continuing gulf between developed and developing countries, welcomes the contribution of the Department of Public Information in publicizing the efforts of the Secretary-General in closing the digital divide as a means of spurring economic growth and as a response to the continuing gulf between developed and developing countries, and, in this context, requests the Department further to enhance its role; VI United Nations information centres 29. Stresses that the United Nations information centres and information components should continue to play a significant role in disseminating information about the work of the Organization to the peoples of the world, in particular in the areas of economic and social development; 30. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Integration of United Nations information centres with field offices of the United Nations Development Programme: implementation of the views of host Governments”, 11 welcomes the action taken by the Department of Public Information to implement the views of those host Governments as expressed in their replies to the questionnaire provided by the Secretariat, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps for the continued implementation of those views and to report thereon to the Committee on Information at its twenty-fourth session; 31. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Committee on Information at its twenty-fourth session on any possible proposal to continue, if feasible and on a case-by-case basis, the integration policy in a cost-effective manner, while maintaining the operational and functional independence of United Nations information centres, taking into account the views of the host countries to ensure that the information functions and the autonomy of United Nations information centres are not adversely affected, to meet the policy’s stated objective of improving the provision of information by the United Nations; 32. Also requests the Secretary-General to include in his report on the reorientation of United Nations activities in the field of public information and communications, to be submitted to the Committee on Information at its twentyfourth session, information on the involvement of the Department of Public Information in the context of the implementation of his recommendations on the establishment of United Nations houses; 33. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the equitable disbursement of resources to United Nations information centres, 12 emphasizes that further efforts are needed to ensure the most equitable disbursement possible of resources to United Nations information centres, and stresses that particular attention should be paid to the concerns of developing countries and, where appropriate, other countries with special needs, including countries in transition; 34. Emphasizes that the United Nations information centres, as the “field voice” of the Department of Public Information, should promote public awareness and mobilize support for the work of the United Nations at the local level, and _______________ 11 12 8 A/AC.198/2001/4. A/AC.198/2001/5.