A/RES/57/44 Recognizing the important role that women play in the development of the region, Recognizing also the important role of civil society and the private sector in the development of the region, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 6 2. Expresses its appreciation to the United Nations funds and programmes as well as the international community for the financial, technical and material support given to the Southern African Development Community, welcomes in particular the financial and other contributions of the international community in response to the joint appeal launched by the Community and the United Nations in New York on 18 July 2002 for assistance to avert the humanitarian crisis in the region, and calls upon member countries, in particular the donor community, to continue their support to the United Nations humanitarian efforts in the region; 3. Appeals to the international community and to relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to continue providing, where appropriate, financial, technical and material assistance to the Community to support its efforts to implement fully its regional indicative strategic development plan, and to support the Community in the full implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; 1 4. Calls upon the States Members of the United Nations and the organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system that have not yet established contact and relationships with the Community to explore the possibility of so doing; 5. Appeals to the United Nations, its related bodies and the international community to assist and support the Community in its efforts against landmines, and calls upon the States members of the Community to continue to strengthen their efforts in this regard; 6. Also appeals to the United Nations, its related bodies and the international community to support the Community’s efforts, with the appropriate resources, in achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration7 and in the implementation of the outcomes of the major United Nations conferences and summit meetings, with specific emphasis on the enhancement of the role of women in the development process; 7. Welcomes, in this regard, the establishment by the Community of the Women in Business Network, aimed at empowering women by, inter alia, facilitating and enhancing their access to credit and training in business and technical skills; 8. Calls upon the international community to continue to support the measures taken by the Community in addressing HIV/AIDS, including commitments and proposals for key future actions on the outcome of the special session of the General Assembly on HIV/AIDS; 9. Recalls the primary responsibility of the States members of the Community to consolidate democracy, good governance, sound economic policy and _______________ 6 7 A/57/94 and Add.1. See resolution 55/2. 3