A/RES/52/170 Page 2 Conscious of the urgent necessity for international assistance to the Palestinian people, taking into account the Palestinian priorities, Noting the convening of the United Nations Seminar on Assistance to the Palestinian People, "Palestinian Human Development Needs",3 held at Amman from 20 to 22 May 1997, Stressing the need for the full engagement of the United Nations in the process of building Palestinian institutions and in providing broad assistance to the Palestinian people, including assistance in the fields of elections, police training and public administration, Noting the appointment by the Secretary-General in June 1994 of the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories, Welcoming the results of the Conference to Support Middle East Peace, convened in Washington, D.C., on 1 October 1993, and the establishment of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee and the work being done by the World Bank as its secretariat, as well as the establishment of the consultative group, Welcoming also the establishment by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee of the Joint Liaison Committee, which provides a forum in which economic policy and practical matters related to donor assistance are discussed with the Palestinian Authority, Welcoming further the meeting of the consultative group in Paris on 19 and 20 November 1996, at which the proposed programme of United Nations assistance for 1997 was presented to the donor community, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,4 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;4 2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his rapid response and efforts regarding assistance to the Palestinian people; 3. Also expresses its appreciation to the Member States, United Nations bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have provided and continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people; 4. Stresses the importance of the work done by the United Nations Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories and of the steps taken under the auspices of the Secretary-General to ensure the achievement of a coordinated mechanism for United Nations activities throughout the occupied territories; 5. Urges Member States, international financial institutions of the United Nations system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and regional and interregional organizations to extend, as rapidly and as generously as possible, economic and social assistance to the Palestinian people in order to assist in the development of the West Bank and Gaza, and to do so in close cooperation with the Palestine Liberation Organization and through official Palestinian institutions; 6. Calls upon relevant organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to intensify their assistance in response to the urgent needs of the Palestinian people in accordance with the Palestinian priorities set forth by the Palestinian Authority, with emphasis on national execution and capacity-building; 3 A/52/179-E/1997/76. 4 A/52/159-E/1997/69. /...