A/RES/52/184 Page 2 Stressing also that further efforts should be made by Governments and international development institutions to facilitate the transfer of privately owned technologies on concessional terms, as mutually agreed, to developing countries, especially least developed countries, as affirmed by the General Assembly in paragraph 90 of the annex to its resolution S/19-2, Expressing concern over the risk of marginalization of many developing countries, in particular the least developed and the African countries, in the process of globalization, which has resulted in increased benefits from advances in science and technology, Recognizing the importance of the efforts of developing countries in the field of science and technology for development, Noting the proposal by the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to convene a world science conference in 1999, Recognizing that information technologies are important requisites for planning, development and decision-making in science and technology, and recognizing also their far-reaching implications for society, Reaffirming that the United Nations should play an important role in the promotion of cooperation in science and technology, as one of its priorities, and in the enhancement of support and assistance to developing countries in their efforts to achieve sustainable development, and emphasizing the need to enhance the capability of the relevant United Nations organizations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, to address relevant issues in the field of science and technology, Noting the work being undertaken by the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its work programme for member States, especially the developing countries, and reaffirming its unique role as a global forum for examining science and technology questions, improving the understanding of science and technology policies and formulating recommendations and guidelines on science and technology matters within the United Nations system, all in relation to development, without prejudice to the Economic and Social Council review of its subsidiary bodies, as initiated under General Assembly resolution 50/227 of 24 May 1996, bearing in mind other relevant Assembly resolutions, Recognizing the need for adequate resources to be devoted to fostering science and technology for development, Recognizing also the need for Governments and regional and international bodies to take measures to ensure women better access to and participation in scientific and technological areas, especially where they are not represented or are underrepresented, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Macroeconomic policy questions: science and technology for development",2 1. Reaffirms Economic and Social Council decision 1997/306 of 25 July 1997, in which the Council approved the provisional agenda for the fourth session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on the basis of the report of the Commission on its third session;3 2. Recognizes the ongoing work of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, emphasizes the importance of the activities that are to be pursued within the framework of the Commission, including a broad spectrum of new global challenges in science and technology, encourages support to those 2 A/52/320. 3 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1997, Supplement No. 11 (E/1997/31). /...