A/RES/54/223 Page 2 Welcoming the allocation of additional resources to the Global Mechanism by the Conference of the Parties at its third session, Looking forward to the continued efforts of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies in addressing desertification, land degradation and drought issues, Acknowledging that desertification and drought are problems of a global dimension in that they affect all regions of the world and that joint action of the international community is needed to combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought, Stressing the need, inter alia, to integrate strategies for poverty eradication into efforts to combat desertification and to mitigate the effects of drought, Noting with satisfaction that an increasing number of countries and one regional economic integration organization have ratified or acceded to the Convention, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the outcome of the second session of the Conference of the Parties and on the implementation of resolution 53/191,2 1. Welcomes the convening of the third session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, at Recife, Brazil, from 15 to 26 November 1999; 2. Calls upon all States and other actors to contribute effectively to the successful outcome of the third session of the Conference of the Parties; 3. Also calls upon all remaining countries that are not yet parties to the Convention to ratify or accede to the Convention as soon as possible; 4. Emphasizes the importance of implementing the provisions of the Convention at all levels, including the general provisions and obligations of affected and developed countries; 5. Notes with satisfaction that the Convention secretariat was relocated to Bonn, Germany, at the end of January 1999 and that it has begun functioning as the permanent secretariat of the Convention; 6. Notes that the Global Mechanism started its activities early in 1999, that it has not yet begun to support fully, inter alia, enabling activities under the Convention, and that resources have been made available to it, and invites the Global Mechanism to develop effectively all its activities and support under the Convention; 7. Also notes the decision of the Conference of the Parties at its third session related to the first review of policies, operational modalities and activities of the Global Mechanism,3 and, in this context, urges 2 A/54/96. 3 ICCD/COP(3)/20/Add.1, decision 9/COP.3. /...