A/RES/52/125 Page 2 for the promotion and protection of all human rights and coordinating human rights activities throughout the United Nations system, Recalling the recommendation of the World Conference on Human Rights, which was held at Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, that a comprehensive programme be established within the United Nations with a view to helping States in the task of building and strengthening adequate national structures that have a direct impact on the overall observance of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law,2 Recalling also its resolution 51/96 of 12 December 1996, and taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/48 of 11 April 1997,3 1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Secretary-General;4 2. Praises the efforts made by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to accomplish its ever-increasing tasks with the limited financial and personnel resources at its disposal; 3. Expresses its deep concern at the scarcity of means at the disposal of the Office of the High Commissioner for the fulfilment of its tasks; 4. Notes that the United Nations Programme of Advisory Services and Technical Assistance in the Field of Human Rights does not have sufficient funds to provide any substantial financial assistance to national projects that have a direct impact on the realization of human rights and the maintenance of the rule of law in countries that are committed to those ends but that face economic hardship; 5. Affirms that the Office of the High Commissioner remains the focal point for coordinating system-wide attention on human rights, democracy and the rule of law; 6. Welcomes the deepening of the ongoing dialogue initiated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with other relevant bodies and programmes of the United Nations system, with a view to enhancing system-wide coordination of assistance in human rights, democracy and the rule of law; 7. Encourages the High Commissioner to continue this dialogue, taking into account the need to explore new synergies with other organs and agencies of the United Nations system with a view to obtaining increased financial assistance for human rights and the rule of law; 8. Also encourages the High Commissioner to continue to explore the possibility of further contact with and support of financial institutions, acting within their mandates, with a view to obtaining technical and financial means to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner to provide 2 See A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), chap. III, sect. II, para. 69. 3 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1997, Supplement No. 3 (E/1997/23), chap. II, sect. A. 4 A/52/475. 98-76897 /...