A/RES/56/229 any such reservations as precisely and as narrowly as possible, to ensure that no reservations are incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise incompatible with international treaty law, to review their reservations regularly with a view to withdrawing them and to withdraw reservations that are contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention or that are otherwise incompatible with international treaty law; 7. Urges States submit their reports on article 18 thereof and cooperate fully with the parties to the Convention to make every possible effort to the implementation of the Convention in accordance with with the guidelines provided by the Committee and to Committee in the presentation of their reports; 8. Encourages the Secretariat to extend further technical assistance to States parties, upon their request, in the preparation of reports, in particular initial reports, and invites Governments to contribute to these efforts; 9. Commends the Committee on its contributions to the effective implementation of the Convention; 10. Strongly urges States parties to the Convention to take appropriate measures so that acceptance of the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention by a two-thirds majority of States parties can be reached as soon as possible so that the amendment may enter into force; 11. Expresses its appreciation for the additional meeting time that allows the Committee to hold two sessions annually, each session of three weeks’ duration and each preceded by a pre-sessional working group of the Committee; 12. Also expresses its appreciation for the efforts made by the Committee to improve the efficiency of its working methods, and encourages further efforts in this regard; 13. Acknowledges the number of reports awaiting consideration by the Committee, and in this regard decides to authorize the Committee to hold, on an exceptional basis, an extraordinary session of three weeks’ duration in 2002 to be used entirely for the consideration of the reports of the States parties in order to reduce the backlog of reports, and to enlarge the membership of the pre-sessional working group in 2002 to prepare for the exceptional session of the Committee, taking into account decision 25/I of the Committee; 11 14. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 54/4 of 6 October 1999, to provide the resources, including staff and facilities, necessary for the effective functioning of the Committee within its full mandate, in particular taking into account the entry into force of the Optional Protocol; 15. Urges Governments, agencies and organizations of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to disseminate the Convention and the Optional Protocol thereto; 16. Encourages all relevant entities of the United Nations system, within their mandates, as well as Governments and intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, in particular women’s organizations, as appropriate, to continue to assist States parties, upon their request, in implementing the _______________ 11 Ibid., part two, chap. I, sect. A. 3