17 December 1981

Implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 32/170 of 10 December 1977, 32/172 of 19 December 1977, 33/88 and 33/89 of 15 December 1978, 34/184, 34/185 and 34/187 of 18 December 1979, and 35/72 and 35/73 of 5 December 1980,

Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolutions 1978/37 of 21 July 1978, 1979/51 of 2 August 1979, 1980/52 of 23 July 1980 and 1981/72 of 24 July 1981, Noting decisions 9/22 B of 26 May 1981 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme and decision 81/4 of 19 June 1981 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme,

Having considered the report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification,

Reiterating its concern over the severe effects of desertification, a major form of environmental degradation and an obstacle to development in fragile ecosystems, on the socio-economic development and the way of life of the people of the Sudano-Sahelian region, and emphasizing again the need to hasten the implementation in the region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification,

1. Takes note of the report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on the implementation of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification in the Sudano-Sahelian region;

2. Expresses its satisfaction with the progress made by the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in assisting the Governments of the region, on behalf of the United Nations Environment Programme and under a joint venture of the Environment Programme and the United Nations Development Programme, in implementing the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification;

3. Also notes with satisfaction the addition of Benin to the list of countries to be assisted by the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in the efforts to implement the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification;

4. Commends the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme for the effective and co-ordinated manner in which they have continued to develop the joint venture through the instrumentality of the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office;

5. Takes note of the decisions of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme and the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme aimed at expanding and strengthening the joint venture and invites them to continue to intensify their support for the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office in order to enable it to carry out its increased responsibilities at a level commensurate with the pressing needs of the countries of the region;

6. Expresses its gratitude to the Governments, agencies of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations and other organizations that have contributed to the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification;

7. Urges all Governments, organizations of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental and other organizations to continue to respond favourably, bilaterally or through the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office or any other intermediary, to requests for assistance from the Governments of the Sudano-Sahelian region in combating desertification;

8. Requests the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme to continue to report annually, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly on the implementation in the Sudano-Sahelian region of the Plan of Action to Combat Desertification.