A/RES/58/119 Recognizing the importance of continuing international support to the national efforts of the Governments and civil societies of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, as the most affected countries, to mitigate and minimize the persisting negative effects of the Chernobyl disaster on the sustainable development of the affected areas as a result of the radiological, health, socio-economic, psychological and environmental consequences of the disaster, Welcoming the increased role played by the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations resident coordinators and the United Nations country teams in Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine in helping to address both the developmental and the humanitarian consequences of the catastrophe, Taking note of the United Nations report entitled “The Human Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident: A Strategy for Recovery”, prepared on the basis of an international needs assessment undertaken in mid-2001 in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, Emphasizing the importance of the new developmental approach to tackling the problems caused by the Chernobyl accident, aimed at normalizing the situation of the individuals and communities concerned in the medium and long term, Stressing the continued need for a response to the exceptional Chernobylrelated needs, in particular in the areas of health, ecology and research, as the transition is made from the emergency to the recovery phase of mitigation of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, as mentioned in the United Nations report entitled “The Human Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident: A Strategy for Recovery”, Welcoming the launch of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network, with the aim of supporting the ongoing international, national and civil society efforts towards the sustainable development of the affected territories by compiling, consolidating and coordinating relevant scientific research, commissioning further research where required, and making available and ensuring the effective dissemination of its findings, which should allow informed decisionmaking on the phases of long-term recovery and management with a view to improving the complex and diverse humanitarian, ecological, economic, social and medical situations in those territories, Welcoming also the establishment of the Chernobyl Forum by the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank and representatives of the three most affected States, Welcoming further the coordination of the activities of the International Chernobyl Research and Information Network and the Chernobyl Forum, and efforts to ensure the substantial integration of the Forum’s assessment of environmental and health consequences into the Network process, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General concerning the implementation of resolution 56/109, 1 _______________ 1 2 A/58/332.