A/RES/56/135 Noting that 2001 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 7 which, together with the 1967 Protocol thereto, 8 as complemented by the Organization of African Unity Convention of 1969, remains the foundation of the international refugee protection regime in Africa, Recognizing that the fundamental principles and rights embodied in those Conventions have provided a resilient protection regime within which millions of refugees have been able to find safety from armed conflicts and persecution, Recalling the Comprehensive Implementation Plan adopted by the Special Meeting of Governmental and Non-Governmental Technical Experts convened by the Organization of African Unity and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at Conakry from 27 to 29 March 2000 on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Organization of African Unity Convention, and noting its endorsement by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its seventy-second ordinary session, 9 Commending the First Ministerial Conference on Human Rights in Africa of the Organization of African Unity, held at Grand-Baie, Mauritius, from 12 to 16 April 1999, and recalling the attention paid to issues relevant to refugees and displaced persons in the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the Conference, Recognizing the contributions made by African States to the development of regional standards for the protection of refugees and returnees, and noting with appreciation that countries of asylum are hosting refugees in a humanitarian spirit and in a spirit of African solidarity and brotherhood, Recognizing also the need for States to address resolutely the root causes of forced displacement and to create conditions that facilitate durable solutions for refugees and displaced persons, and stressing in this regard the need for States to foster peace, stability and prosperity throughout the African continent, Convinced of the need to strengthen the capacity of States to provide assistance to and protection for refugees, returnees and displaced persons and of the need for the international community, within the context of burden-sharing, to increase its material, financial and technical assistance to countries affected by refugees, returnees and displaced persons, Acknowledging with appreciation that some assistance is already rendered by the international community to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and host countries in Africa, Noting with great concern that, despite all the efforts deployed so far by the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and others, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa remains precarious, Stressing that the provision of relief and assistance to African refugees by the international community should be on an equitable, non-discriminatory basis, Considering that, among refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons, women and children are the majority of the population affected by conflict and bear the brunt of atrocities and other consequences of conflict, _______________ 7 United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189, No. 2545. Ibid., vol. 606, No. 8791. 9 See A/55/286, annex I, decision CM/Dec.531 (LXXII), para. 8. 8 2