A/RES/50/101 Page 3 Development in science and technology for development, as reaffirmed in General Assembly resolution 48/179 of 21 December 1993, Recognizing the need for adequate resources to be devoted to fostering science and technology for development, Recognizing the special needs and requirements of developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, especially those in Africa, Also recognizing the relevant problems of countries with economies in transition in the sphere of the transformation and development of their scientific and technological potentials, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General 6/ on the implementation of programme 17, science and technology for development, of the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997, 1. Reaffirms the relevant resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 on the basis of the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its second session; 7/ 2. Reaffirms that capacity-building in science and technology in developing countries should remain a priority issue in the United Nations agenda, and urges that international cooperation efforts be intensified and strengthened towards developing countries’ endogenous capacity-building in science and technology, including their capacity to utilize scientific and technological developments from abroad and to adapt them to suit local conditions; 3. Calls upon the international community to meet all the objectives as reaffirmed in chapter 34 of Agenda 21, 5/ in particular those dealing with effective access to and transfer of environmentally sound technologies, including new and emerging technologies and publicly owned technologies, to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed, taking into account the need to protect intellectual property rights as well as the special needs of developing countries, so as to contribute to enabling those developing countries to meet their development-related challenges; 4. Stresses that it is important for developing countries to adopt and implement their own science and technology policies that support the national effort to achieve sustained economic growth and sustainable development in the light of their respective national conditions, needs, priorities and objectives; 5. Stresses the need to strengthen the important role of the United Nations in the field of science and technology, particularly through effective policy guidance and better coordination, including in international cooperation in technology assessment, monitoring and forecasting; 6/ A/50/649. 7/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1995, Supplement No. 11 (E/1995/31). /...