United Nations A/RES/57/248 General Assembly Distr.: General 7 February 2003 Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 86 (c) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Second Committee (A/57/531/Add.3)] 57/248. Year of Kyrgyz Statehood The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 53/22 of 4 November 1998 on the United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations, Recalling also its resolution 49/129 of 19 December 1994 on the commemoration of the millennium of the Kyrgyz national epic, Manas, Recalling further its resolution 56/8 of 21 November 2001 on the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage, 2002, Stressing the importance of promoting education and raising public awareness in order to foster respect for national cultures, the cultural heritage of the world and civilizational diversity, which is essential for strengthening global peace and implementing international cooperation, Noting the richness of Kyrgyz culture and its national, regional and international significance, 1. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to declare 2003 as the Year of Kyrgyz Statehood and to organize activities in celebration of the Year; 2. Invites Member States, the United Nations, the specialized agencies and other international and intergovernmental organizations, as well as regional and non-governmental organizations and foundations, to take part in the events being organized by the Kyrgyz Republic to celebrate the year 2003. 78th plenary meeting 20 December 2002 02 55576