A/RES/56/203 Noting with appreciation the numerous meetings and conferences convened relating to migration and development, 13 in particular in the context of regional cooperation, Noting the work undertaken, under the International Migration Policy Programme, by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Population Fund, in partnership with the International Labour Office, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other relevant international and regional institutions, with a view to strengthening the capacity of Governments to manage migration flows at national and regional levels and thus to foster greater cooperation among States towards orderly migration, Noting also the work of the Secretariat in the field of migration and development, Aware that, among other important factors, both domestic and international, the widening economic and social gap between and among many countries and the marginalization of some countries in the global economy, due in part to the uneven impact of the benefits of globalization and liberalization, have contributed to large flows of people between and among countries and to the intensification of the complex phenomenon of international migration, Aware also that, in spite of the existence of an already established body of principles, there is a need to make further efforts to ensure that the human rights and dignity of all migrants and their families are respected and protected and that it is desirable to improve the situation of all documented migrants and their families, Recognizing the importance, from an analytical and operational point of view, of identifying the existing linkages among the social, economic, political and cultural factors related to international migration and development and of the need for comprehensive, coherent and effective policies on international migration based on the spirit of genuine partnership and common understanding, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 14 2. Urges Member States and the United Nations system to strengthen international cooperation in the area of international migration and development in order to address the root causes of migration, especially those related to poverty, and to maximize the benefits of international migration to those concerned; 3. Encourages, where relevant, interregional, regional and subregional mechanisms to continue to address the question of migration and development; _______________ 13 Including the European Conference on Migration, held at Brussels on 16 and 17 October 2001; the International Symposium on Migration: Towards Regional Cooperation on Irregular/Undocumented Migration, held at Bangkok from 21 to 23 April 1999, which adopted the Bangkok Declaration on Irregular Migration (see A/C.2/54/2, annex); the Regional Conference to Address the Problems of Refugees, Displaced Persons, Other Forms of Involuntary Displacement and Returnees in the Countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Relevant Neighbouring States, held at Geneva on 30 and 31 May 1996; the Regional Conference on Migration in North and Central America; regional migration policy capacity-building and cooperation meetings organized and planned by the International Migration Policy Programme; the Mediterranean Conference on Population, Migration and Development, held at Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from 15 to 17 October 1996; and the Technical Symposium on International Migration and Development of the Administrative Committee on Coordination Task Force on Basic Social Services for All, held at The Hague from 29 June to 3 July 1998. 14 A/56/167. 3