A/RES/49/101 Page 2 international trade which can significantly contribute to more open, dynamic and efficient trade relations, Conscious of the significant importance information technology and the application of efficient trading practices will have in the coming years in enhancing the competitiveness of countries and enterprises through the use of electronic trade, Noting the valuable contribution made by various organizations from within and outside the United Nations system, and in particular by Working Party IV of the Economic Commission for Europe, to the successful conclusion of the Symposium, Reaffirming the need to give priority attention to the problems facing the developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, and encouraging all developing countries to continue to be active participants in international trade affairs and to adopt proved and successful business methods and techniques, 1. Expresses its deep gratitude to the Government and the people of the United States of America, as well as to the city of Columbus, Ohio, for hosting the United Nations International Symposium on Trade Efficiency, for the hospitality extended to the participants and for the facilities made available to the Symposium; 2. Welcomes the adoption of the Columbus Ministerial Declaration on Trade Efficiency, 2/ embodying a policy framework and a set of practical actions and recommendations for more efficient trade worldwide, which can generate substantial benefits to all countries; 3. Also welcomes the official launching of the Global Trade Point Network, which, by electronically interconnecting trade points worldwide, will allow all member countries to trade more efficiently with each other and assist those that have so far remained at the fringe of international trade to participate actively and profitably in it, in particular the least developed countries and small and medium-sized enterprises in all countries; 4. Expresses its satisfaction with the high-level participation in the Symposium and with the innovative procedures introduced for making the proceedings of the Symposium more dynamic and action-oriented, including better interaction among the governmental and non-governmental participants; 5. Invites all States to take an active part in the implementation of the Declaration and stresses the importance of all actors, in particular private sector actors, and the close cooperation between private sector actors and national and local government authorities for purposes of such implementation; 6. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development for organizing the Symposium, which underscored the importance of market forces and trade liberalization to achieve economic development, demonstrated the necessity of combining policy and practice, fostered increased cooperation among developed countries, developing countries and economies in transition and encouraged an open exchange of views on practical, market-oriented solutions to problems of economic development with all the actors on trade, both public and private; /...