A/RES/54/142 Page 3 8. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare, in time for the next session of the preparatory committee in 2000, comprehensive reports on progress made in the implementation of the Platform for Action nationally, regionally and internationally, taking into account all relevant information and inputs available to the United Nations system on the following: (a) A review and appraisal of the implementation of the Platform for Action based on, inter alia, national action plans, reports submitted to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women by the States parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,6 replies of Member States to the questionnaire on the implementation of the Platform for Action, statements made by delegations at relevant forums of the United Nations, reports of regional commissions and other entities of the United Nations system and follow-up to recent global United Nations conferences; (b) Good practices, positive actions, lessons learned, examples of the use of any qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring progress, successful strategies and promising initiatives for the implementation of the Platform for Action; (c) Obstacles encountered and strategies for overcoming them; (d) Further actions and initiatives, within the overall goals of gender equality, development and peace, to accelerate progress in implementation in the twelve critical areas of concern of the Platform for Action beyond 2000, recognizing the need for analytical tools and strategies for implementation, taking into account inputs, as well as comments of Member States on the report of the Secretary-General on the framework for further actions and initiatives,2 and, in this regard, invites Member States to provide inputs and comments thereon; 9. Also requests the Secretary-General to make available all necessary documentation in a timely manner for the special session, keeping in mind resolutions 52/231 and 53/120; 10. Encourages the United Nations system to continue to hold discussions with relevant actors of civil society, especially non-governmental organizations, in the exchange of views for the review and appraisal process on the implementation of the Platform for Action, including, wherever available, the use of electronic networking; 11. Urges Member States and observers to ensure their representation at the special session at a high political level; 12. Confirms that the special session will be open to the participation of all States Members of the United Nations, members of the specialized agencies and observers, in accordance with the established practice of the General Assembly;7 6 Resolution 34/180, annex. 7 See resolution 52/100, para. 46. /...