A/RES/51/180 Page 2 Noting the ongoing work in preparation for the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention undertaken by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, Noting with satisfaction that to date more than fifty countries have already ratified the Convention, Recalling that, in accordance with article 22, paragraph 4, of the Convention,1 the first session of the Conference of the Parties shall be convened by the interim secretariat of the Convention and shall take place not later than one year after the date of entry into force of the Convention, Having considered the recommendations and decisions made by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee at its eighth and ninth sessions regarding the Conference of the Parties to the Convention,3 Having also considered the report of the Secretary-General4 on the implementation of resolution 50/112 and on possible requirements for intergovernmental and secretariat work on the implementation of the Convention and its regional implementation annexes to respond effectively to the needs in the African, Asian and Latin American and the Caribbean regions, Considering that the Convention is one of the most important achievements in the implementation of and follow-up to the recommendations and decisions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, Taking into account the basic provisions of its resolution 40/243 of 18 December 1985, 1. Welcomes the fact that, in conformity with article 36, paragraph 1, of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, the Convention will enter into force on 26 December 1996, and calls upon more countries to take appropriate action for the ratification, acceptance or approval of or accession to the Convention; 2. Urges the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an International Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, at its tenth session, to be held in New York from 6 to 17 January 1997, to aim at finalizing all the outstanding negotiating issues, including the negotiations of the two working groups and the plan for the preparatory work for the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention; 3 See A/51/76 and Add.1. 4 A/51/510. /...