A/RES/54/36 Page 2 Recalling its resolution 49/30 of 7 December 1994 in which it recognized the importance of the Managua Declaration 4 and Plan of Action 5 adopted by the Second International Conference of New or Restored Democracies in July 1994, as well as its resolutions 50/133 of 20 December 1995, 51/31 of 6 December 1996, 52/18 of 21 November 1997 and 53/31 of 23 November 1998, Recalling also the document entitled “Progress Review and Recommendations”, adopted by the Third International Conference of New or Restored Democracies on Democracy and Development, held at Bucharest from 2 to 4 September 1997,6 in which guidelines, principles and recommendations were addressed to Governments, civil society, the private sector, donor countries and the international community, Noting in particular the recommendations contained in that document addressed to the United Nations system and the international financial organizations,7 Taking note with satisfaction of the seminars, workshops and conferences on democratization and good governance organized in 1999, as well as those currently being planned, under the auspices of the International Conference of New or Restored Democracies, Taking note of the views of Member States expressed in the debate on this question at its forty-ninth, fiftieth, fifty-first, fifty-second, fifty-third and fifty-fourth sessions, Bearing in mind that the activities of the United Nations carried out in support of the efforts of Governments to promote and consolidate democracy are undertaken in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and only at the specific request of the Member States concerned, Also bearing in mind that democracy, development and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and on their full participation in all aspects of their lives, Noting that a considerable number of societies have recently undertaken significant efforts to achieve their social, political and economic goals through democratization and the reform of their economies, pursuits that are deserving of the support and recognition of the international community, Noting with satisfaction that the Fourth International Conference of New or Restored Democracies will be held at Cotonou, Benin, from 4 to 6 December 2000, 4 A/49/713, annex I. 5 Ibid., annex II. 6 A/52/334, appendix. 7 Ibid., sect. IV. /...