A/RES/56/201 utilize all avenues for stronger cooperation and coordination at the headquarters level, which should complement similar coordination efforts at the country level, and urges them to keep countries fully informed of decisions taken at headquarters; 79. Notes the progress achieved in the area of common premises and shared services at the country level within the United Nations system, reaffirms the need to take fully into account cost-benefit studies as called for in relevant resolutions, and encourages further implementation of such initiatives, where appropriate, while ensuring that there will be no additional burden imposed on host countries; 80. Recognizes that the utilization of advanced information and communication technologies could also provide the necessary platform for more coordination and cohesion at the field level; 81. Encourages the use of information technologies as a means to support more effectively the delivery of development cooperation by the United Nations system, and therefore calls for the urgent harmonization of the information technology platforms utilized by the United Nations system, at both the field and headquarters levels; X Humanitarian assistance 82. Reiterates that the phases of relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and development are generally not consecutive but often overlap and occur simultaneously, and notes the urgent need to develop, through a strategic framework, when appropriate, a comprehensive approach to countries in crisis, notes that the development of such a comprehensive approach must involve national authorities as well as the United Nations system, donors and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and that national authorities must take a leading role in all aspects of the recovery plan, notes in this context the need for an early application of developmental tools in humanitarian emergencies, and takes note with appreciation of the recommendations included in the report of the SecretaryGeneral 4 in this regard; 83. Expresses its appreciation to those countries which have substantially contributed to humanitarian assistance during natural and man-made disasters; 84. Stresses that contributions to humanitarian assistance should not be provided at the expense of development assistance and that sufficient resources for humanitarian assistance should be made available by the international community; XI Gender 85. Welcomes the progress achieved in gender mainstreaming in operational activities, and encourages further work in the areas of equitable access to financial and productive resources to ensure a reversal in the feminization of poverty; 86. Encourages the continuing efforts to improve the gender balance on appointments within the United Nations system at the headquarters and the country level in positions that affect operational activities; 87. Calls for renewed and accelerated efforts in gender mainstreaming in the framework of the operational activities for development of the United Nations 12