16 December 1981

Particular problems facing Zaire with regard to transport, transit and access to foreign markets

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of special measures relating to particular problems facing Zaire with regard to transport, transit and access to foreign markets,

Recalling resolution 110 (V) of 3 June 1979 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development at its fifth session, held at Manila from 7 May to 3 June 1979,

Also recalling its resolutions 32/160 of 19 December 1977, concerning the Transport and Communications Decade in Africa, and 34/193 of 19 December 1979, in which it requested the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to enable the Economic Commission for Africa to accelerate the implementation of resolution 110 (V) of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and to report thereon to the General Assembly,

Recalling further its resolution 35/59 of 5 December 1980, in which it requested the Secretary-General to continue his efforts with a view to enabling the appropriate organs of the United Nations to provide the necessary technical assistance as soon as possible to the Government of Zaire, and Economic and Social Council resolution 1981/68 of 24 July 1981, in which the Council recommended that the Secretary-General and the General Assembly should give strong support to efforts by the appropriate organs of the United Nations to provide the necessary technical assistance as soon as possible, so that studies on the particular problems facing Zaire with regard to transport, transit and access to foreign markets can be undertaken and completed without delay,

Recalling that the Economic Commission for Africa has so far not been able to carry out the in-depth studies, the need for which was recognized in the interim report of the Secretary-General, and which were requested in the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General and noting with regret the slow progress in implementing General Assembly resolutions 34/193 and 35/59,

Aware of the particular difficulties facing Zaire because of the problems encountered in its foreign trade with regard to transport, transit and access to foreign markets, which require special and urgent assistance from the international community,

Convinced that the continuance of this situation is prejudicial to the development of the Zairian economy,

1. Requests the Secretary-General to give strong support to the Economic Commission for Africa and other appropriate organs of the United Nations to provide the necessary technical assistance as soon as possible, so that studies on the particular problems facing Zaire with regard to transport, transit and access to foreign markets can be undertaken and completed without delay;

2. Invites the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme, to release the funds needed for undertaking the transit project provided for in the over-all plan for the development of transport and communications in the subregions of central and southern Africa;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to seek from voluntary contributions or from existing resources the funds that need to be made available to the Economic Commission for Africa for the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 34/193 and 35/59.