A/RES/56/200 the implementation of the World Solar Programme 1996–2005, more action still needs to be taken in this regard; 4. Encourages national Governments and relevant stakeholders to make more use of the World Solar Programme 1996–2005 as one of the vehicles to boost the development and utilization of solar energy technologies and all forms of new and renewable energy, including biomass, wind, mini-hydro, tidal, ocean and geothermal forms; 5. Invites the international community to support, as appropriate, by, inter alia, providing financial resources, the efforts of developing countries to move towards sustainable patterns of energy production and consumption; 6. Recognizes that rural energy services, including their financing, should be designed to maximize local ownership, as appropriate; 7. Reiterates its call upon all relevant funding institutions and bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as regional funding institutions and non-governmental organizations, to support, as appropriate, the efforts being made for the development of the renewable energy sector in developing countries on the basis of environmentfriendly renewable sources of energy of demonstrated viability, while taking fully into account the development structure of energy-based economies of developing countries, and to assist in the attainment of the levels of investment necessary to expand energy supplies beyond urban areas; 8. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to promote the mobilization of adequate technical assistance and funding and to enhance the effectiveness and the full utilization of existing international funds for the effective implementation of national and regional high-priority projects in the area of renewable sources of energy; 9. Emphasizes the need to intensify research and development in support of energy for sustainable development, which will require increased commitment on the part of all stakeholders, including Governments and the private sector, to deploy financial and manpower resources for accelerating research efforts; 10. Recognizes that the wider use of available renewable energy technologies requires the diffusion of available technologies on a global scale, including through North-South and South-South cooperation; 11. Takes note of the decision of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization regarding the contribution of the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme 1996–2005 in attaining the objective of sustainable development, 5 and in this context encourages the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to mobilize resources, both human and financial, as mandated, to ensure the effective implementation of the Programme and to make efforts to promote public awareness in all Member States in this regard, with the support of international, regional and national institutions, both public and private; 12. Invites the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to make effective the implementation of the Global Renewable Energy Education and Training Programme 1996–2005 in the various regions and to strengthen the implementation of its African chapter; 13. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Environment Facility, the 3