A/RES/60/223 Recognizing that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, Noting that conflict prevention and the consolidation of peace would benefit from the coordinated, sustained and integrated efforts of the United Nations system and Member States, and regional and subregional organizations, as well as international and regional financial institutions, Reaffirming that the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa must remain a priority in the agenda of the United Nations system and for Member States, Stressing that the responsibility for peace and security in Africa, including the capacity to address the root causes of conflict and to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner, lies primarily with African countries, while recognizing the need for support from the international community, Underlining the need to address the negative implications of the illegal exploitation of natural resources in all its aspects on peace, security and development in Africa, noting, in this context, the relevant recommendations contained in the progress report of the Secretary-General, Underscoring the need to further strengthen political will so as to ensure the financial and technical support required for the effective implementation of the recommendations included in the reports of the Secretary-General, Reaffirming the need to strengthen the synergies between Africa’s economic and social development programmes and its peace and security agenda, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the progress report of the SecretaryGeneral2 on the implementation of the recommendations contained in his report on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa,3 including recent efforts in peacemaking and peacekeeping operations and the need for special attention to post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding; Welcomes the continuing progress in the reduction of major conflicts on 2. the continent and the sustained efforts in recent times by the African Union, as well as by African regional and subregional organizations, to mediate and resolve conflicts, and notes that despite the positive trends and advances in Africa, the conditions required for sustained peace and development have yet to be consolidated throughout the continent; Notes with concern the continuation on the continent, of many situations 3. characterized by various forms of civil strife, including those caused by ethnic, religious and economic factors, and the role of illegal exploitation of natural resources in fuelling conflicts in Africa; 4. Supports Africa’s goal of achieving a conflict-free Africa by 2010; 5. Welcomes the commitments in the areas of peace and stability made by the Group of Eight countries in the context of the Gleneagles communiqué adopted at their annual summit, held at Gleneagles, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, from 6 to 8 July 2005, and looks forward to the early implementation of these commitments; Also welcomes the determination of the African Union to strengthen its 6. peacekeeping capacity and to take the lead in peacekeeping in the continent, in 2