United Nations A/RES/56/19 General Assembly Distr.: General 7 January 2002 Fifty-sixth session Agenda item 69 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the First Committee (A/56/533)] 56/19. Developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 53/70 of 4 December 1998, 54/49 of 1 December 1999 and 55/28 of 20 November 2000, Recalling also its resolutions on the role of science and technology in the context of international security, in which, inter alia, it recognized that scientific and technological developments could have both civilian and military applications and that progress in science and technology for civilian applications needed to be maintained and encouraged, Noting that considerable progress has been achieved in developing and applying the latest information technologies and means of telecommunication, Affirming that it sees in this process the broadest positive opportunities for the further development of civilization, the expansion of opportunities for cooperation for the common good of all States, the enhancement of the creative potential of mankind and additional improvements in the circulation of information in the global community, Recalling, in this connection, the approaches and principles outlined at the Information Society and Development Conference, held at Midrand, South Africa, from 13 to 15 May 1996, Bearing in mind the results of the Ministerial Conference on Terrorism, held in Paris on 30 July 1996, and the recommendations that it made, 1 Noting that the dissemination and use of information technologies and means affect the interests of the entire international community and that optimum effectiveness is enhanced by broad international cooperation, Expressing concern that these technologies and means can potentially be used for purposes that are inconsistent with the objectives of maintaining international _______________ 1 01 47628 See A/51/261, annex.