A/RES/56/44 operations in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the interconnection and parallel functioning of power systems in the region; 10. Also welcomes the efforts of the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization in opening international passenger traffic and the launching of a demonstration container train on the Almaty-Tashkent-TehranIstanbul route of the Trans-Asian Railway main line; 11. Appreciates the fact that General Assembly resolution 55/181 of 20 December 2000, on the transit environment in landlocked States in Central Asia and their transit developing neighbours, has implications for the whole region of the Economic Cooperation Organization; 12. Welcomes the holding in Tehran in June 2001 of a joint Economic Cooperation Organization and United Nations Industrial Development Organization training course on technology management and technology transfer negotiations, which will enhance cooperation among the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization in industry, particularly in the development of small and medium-sized enterprises; 13. Notes the increasing problem of the production, transit and abuse of narcotic drugs and their ill effects in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization, notes with appreciation the commencement of phase II of the joint project of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme on the Drug Control Coordination Unit established in the secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization in July 1999, and calls upon the other international and regional organizations to assist, as appropriate, the Economic Cooperation Organization in its efforts against the drug menace in the region; 14. Appreciates the cooperation of the Economic Cooperation Organization with the Centre for International Crime Prevention of the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention of the Secretariat in jointly organizing the regional seminar on the fight against supranational organized crime; 15. Notes with satisfaction the expansion of cultural ties in the region under the auspices of the Cultural Institute of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and supports the endeavours to promote the rich cultural and literary heritage of the region through the launching of appropriate projects and programmes, with possible assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other relevant entities; 16. Also notes with satisfaction the efforts of the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization in the field of science and technology for the development of the region and endeavours in this regard, including the establishment of the Science Foundation of the Economic Cooperation Organization; 17. Accentuates the significance of environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and calls upon the relevant United Nations bodies to cooperate, as appropriate, with the Economic Cooperation Organization to implement joint plans and projects to improve the situation in the region; 18. Invites the United Nations system, its relevant bodies and the international community to continue to provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization and its secretariat 3