A/RES/50/112 Page 2 Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, 2 Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 49/234 3 and on possible requirements for intergovernmental and secretariat work on the implementation of the Convention and its regional implementation annexes, 4 and having also considered Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee resolution 7/1 of 17 August 1995 5 on dates and venue of the sessions of the Committee during the period up to and including the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, Expressing its concern about the present level of the Special Voluntary Fund for participation in the negotiation process of developing countries affected by desertification and drought, in particular the least developed countries, Noting that the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee has established two working groups in order to be able to discharge its responsibilities in the preparation for the first session of the Conference of Parties to the Convention, Expressing its concern about the present level of the Trust Fund, established pursuant to its resolution 47/188, to support the work of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee and the interim secretariat, Considering that the Convention is one of the main steps in the implementation and follow-up to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1. Welcomes the signing of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, 2/ by a large number of States and one regional economic integration organization and the ratification of the Convention by a growing number of States, and urges States that have not yet signed or ratified the Convention to do so, so that it may enter into force as soon as possible; 2. Decides that 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, shall continue to prepare for the first session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention as specified in the Convention; 3. Also decides, for this purpose, to convene two sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in 1996, each of up to two weeks’ duration, the eighth session to be held at Geneva from 5 to 16 February and 2 A/49/84/Add.2, annex, appendix II. 3 A/50/515. 4 A/50/347. 5 See A/50/74/Add.1, annex, appendix II. /...