A/RES/58/213 in Mauritius, on 28 and 29 August 2004, to facilitate the effective preparation of the International Meeting; 8. Urges that representation and participation at the International Meeting be at the highest possible level; 9. Decides that the International Meeting will seek a renewed political commitment by the international community and will focus on practical actions for the further implementation of the Programme of Action, taking into consideration new and emerging issues, challenges and situations since the adoption of the Programme of Action; 10. Endorses Economic and Social Council resolution 2003/55 of 24 July 2003, in which it decided, on the recommendation of the Commission on Sustainable Development at its eleventh session, to convene an interregional preparatory meeting for small island developing States in Nassau from 26 to 30 January 2004, expresses its appreciation to the Government of the Bahamas for hosting the meeting, and encourages participation in the meeting at the ministerial level; 11. Also endorses the decision of the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 2003/55, on the recommendation of the Commission on Sustainable Development at its eleventh session, to convene during the twelfth session of the Commission a three-day preparatory meeting for the International Meeting, from 14 to 16 April 2004, for an in-depth assessment and appraisal of the implementation of the Programme of Action and to finalize the preparations for the International Meeting, including its agenda; 12. Decides that the preparatory meeting shall be open-ended and shall be held in accordance with the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council and the supplementary arrangements established for the Commission on Sustainable Development by the Council in its decisions 1993/215 of 12 February 1993 and 1995/201 of 8 February 1995, applied to all Member States and other participants, as was the practice in the preparatory committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, while maintaining the provisions of the Commission in relation to travel assistance, in accordance with the provisions of Economic and Social Council decision 2003/283 of 24 July 2003; 13. Encourages associate members of the regional commissions that are small island developing States to participate in the International Meeting, and decides that their participation shall be in accordance with rule 61 of the provisional rules of procedure of the International Meeting; 14. Decides that the participation of major groups, including nongovernmental organizations, in the International Meeting shall be in accordance with rule 65 of the provisional rules of procedure of the International Meeting; 15. Also decides that non-governmental organizations whose work is relevant to the subject of the International Meeting, that are not currently accredited by the Economic and Social Council, may submit applications to participate as observers in the International Meeting, as well as its preparatory meeting, subject to the approval of the open-ended preparatory meeting; 16. Takes note of the appointment of a Secretary-General of the International Meeting; 17. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the relevant United Nations agencies and organizations, and taking into account the submissions he may 3