A/RES/57/38 12. Also welcomes the efforts of the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization to launch an international passenger train and container train on the route connecting Almaty, Tashkent, Tehran and Istanbul on the TransAsian Railway main line, which will contribute significantly to the restoration of some arteries of the Great Silk Route; 13. Notes with concern the increasing problem of the production, transit and abuse of narcotic drugs and their ill effects in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization, observes with appreciation the commencement of phase D of the joint project of the Economic Cooperation Organization and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme on strengthening the Drug Control Coordination Unit within the secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and calls upon other international and regional organizations to assist the Economic Cooperation Organization, as appropriate, in its efforts to fight the drug menace in the region; 14. Notes with satisfaction the expansion of cultural ties in the region under the auspices of the Cultural Institute of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and supports its endeavours to promote the rich cultural and literary heritage of the region through appropriate projects and programmes, with possible assistance from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other relevant regional and international entities; 15. Also notes with satisfaction the efforts of the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization in the field of science and technology for the development of the region, including the establishment of the Science Foundation of the Economic Cooperation Organization; 16. Recognizes the significance of environmental issues such as air and water pollution in the region of the Economic Cooperation Organization, and welcomes the efforts made by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to hold a workshop on trade and environment for States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, under its capacity-building task force project with the United Nations Environment Programme; 17. Invites the United Nations system, its relevant bodies and the international community to continue to provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to the States members of the Economic Cooperation Organization and to its secretariat in order to strengthen their early warning systems, preparedness and capacity for timely response and rehabilitation, with a view to reducing human casualties and mitigating the socio-economic impact of natural disasters, including earthquakes, famines and floods; 18. Expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Economic Cooperation Organization to implement the United Nations programmes for the development of transit transport facilities in the landlocked countries of the region; 19. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-ninth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution; 20. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-ninth session the sub-item entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Economic Cooperation Organization”. 56th plenary meeting 21 November 2002 3