A/RES/61/7 7. Welcomes the initiation of cooperation between the International Organization of la Francophonie and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations of the Secretariat with a view to increasing the number of French-speaking personnel in United Nations peacekeeping operations; Also welcomes the fact that the eleventh summit of la Francophonie was 8. devoted to the use of new technologies in the service of education, and calls upon the specialized agencies and the funds and programmes of the United Nations system to enhance their cooperation with the International Organization of la Francophonie in the area of sustainable development; Further welcomes the involvement of the countries that use French as a 9. common language, particularly through the International Organization of la Francophonie, in the preparation for, conduct of and follow-up to international conferences organized under United Nations auspices; 10. Commends the high-level meetings held periodically between the United Nations Secretariat and the Secretariat of the International Organization of la Francophonie, and advocates the participation of those Secretariats in major meetings of the two organizations; 11. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for including the International Organization of la Francophonie in the periodic meetings he holds with heads of regional organizations, and invites him to continue doing so, taking into account the role played by the International Organization of la Francophonie in conflict prevention and support for democracy and the rule of law; 12. Notes with satisfaction the continued collaboration between the United Nations and the International Organization of la Francophonie in the area of electoral monitoring and assistance, and advocates the strengthening of cooperation between the two organizations in that area; 13. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations, acting in cooperation with the Secretary-General of the International Organization of la Francophonie, to encourage the holding of periodic meetings between representatives of the United Nations Secretariat and representatives of the Secretariat of the International Organization of la Francophonie in order to promote the exchange of information, coordination of activities and identification of new areas of cooperation; 14. Welcomes the participation of the International Organization of la Francophonie in the Peacebuilding Commission’s work on Burundi, and strongly encourages the International Organization of la Francophonie and the Peacebuilding Commission to continue to cooperate actively; 15. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations to take the necessary steps, in consultation with the Secretary-General of the International Organization of la Francophonie, to continue to promote cooperation between the two organizations; 16. Invites the specialized agencies and the funds and programmes of the United Nations system, as well as the regional commissions, including the Economic Commission for Africa, to collaborate to this end with the SecretaryGeneral of the International Organization of la Francophonie by identifying new synergies in favour of development, in particular in the areas of poverty elimination, energy, sustainable development, education, training and the development of new information technologies; 3