A/RES/59/279 Plan of Implementation”) 3 and its relevant provisions on vulnerability, risk assessment and disaster management, Emphasizing the importance of establishing a partnership, upon the request and with the leadership of the country concerned, involving donor countries and regional and international financial institutions as well as the private sector and civil society, to support the respective national rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes of the affected countries, Emphasizing also the importance of international cooperation in support of the efforts of the affected States in dealing with natural disasters in all phases, including prevention, preparedness, mitigation, recovery and reconstruction, as well as in strengthening the response capacity of affected countries, Expresses its deep concern at the number and scale of natural disasters 1. and their increasing impact within recent years, which have resulted in a massive loss of life and long-term negative social, economic and environmental consequences for vulnerable societies throughout the world, in particular in developing countries; Emphasizes the need for the international community to maintain its 2. focus beyond the present emergency relief, in order to sustain the political will to support the medium- and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts led by the Governments of the affected countries at all levels; Welcomes the effective cooperation between the affected States, relevant 3. bodies in the United Nations system, donor countries, regional and international financial institutions and civil society in the coordination and delivery of emergency relief, and stresses the need to continue such cooperation and delivery throughout the ongoing relief operations and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, in a manner that reduces vulnerability to future natural hazards; Encourages the international community, particularly donor countries, 4. international financial institutions and relevant international organizations, as well as the private sector and civil society, to deliver swiftly on their pledges and to continue to provide the necessary funds and assistance to support the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts; Welcomes the increasing efforts to further enhance transparency and 5. accountability with respect to the channelling and utilization of resources; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to appoint a special representative in order to, inter alia, sustain the political will of the international community to support medium- and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts led by the Governments of affected countries at all levels; Also requests the Secretary-General to explore ways to further strengthen 7. the rapid response capacities for immediate humanitarian relief efforts of the international community, building on the existing arrangements and ongoing initiatives, including the consideration of “standby arrangements” under the auspices of the United Nations; _______________ 3 Report of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August–4 September 2002 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.03.II.A.1 and corrigendum), chap. I, resolution 2, annex. 3