A UNITED NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/52/200 2 March 1998 Fifty-second session Agenda item 98 (d) RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [on the report of the Second Committee (A/52/629/Add.4)] 52/200. International cooperation to reduce the impact of the El Niño phenomenon The General Assembly, Recalling its resolutions 44/236 of 22 December 1989, 48/188 of 21 December 1993, 49/22 A of 2 December 1994, 49/22 B of 20 December 1994, 50/117 A and B of 20 December 1995 and 51/185 of 16 December 1996 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/45 of 26 July 1996, Taking into account that the El Niño Southern Oscillation Phenomenon, commonly known as "El Niño", has had an acute impact in several regions of the world, with particular severity and frequency in the coastal countries of the Pacific Ocean, Noting that El Niño has a recurring character and has produced disastrous effects, resulting in large material, economic, human and environmental losses, with particular impact in the coastal countries of the Pacific Ocean, especially in developing countries, Acknowledging with concern the possible effects that El Niño may have on global weather patterns, such as abnormal droughts and precipitation around the world, leading to food shortages and famine in several regions which could extend over a number of years and which may have potential impacts on world food supplies, Taking into account that the major El Niño events of this century have occurred fairly regularly and are often preceded by a number of distinct warning signs, which, with an appropriate increase in and exchange of data and information, could assist in the modelling and prediction of its recurrence and enhance the capabilities of affected countries to mitigate the negative social, economic and environmental impacts that the phenomenon causes, Acknowledging the need to enhance international and national efforts for a better scientific understanding of the origins of the El Niño phenomenon, 98-76993 /...