25 July 1985

52nd plenary meeting

Co-ordination of programmes within the United Nations system in the field of natural resources

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1535 (XLIX) of 27 July 1970, by which it decided to establish the Committee on Natural Resources and set out its terms of reference, specifically charging the Committee to maintain liaison between the activities in the field of natural resources of the regional commissions, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other bodies doing relevant work, with a view to ensuring the utmost efficiency and co-operation,

Mindful of the vital contribution made by bilateral and multilateral technical co-operation programmes in enhancing national capabilities in developing countries effectively to explore for, manage and develop their natural resources,

Concerned that the Committee should effectively advise the Council in order to ensure maximum co-ordination, and thus the effectiveness and economy of the activities of the United Nations,

Recognizing that co-ordination of technical assistance activities within the United Nations system has significant potential for increasing the efficiency and expanding the results of United Nations and other resource development activities within existing funding constraints,

Observing that available information on United Nations and related activities in natural resources co-operation should be taken into consideration by the Committee in preparing its recommendations,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on co-ordination and co-operation in water resources development,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on co-ordination and co-operation in water resources development and requests the Secretary-General to update that report for the tenth session of the Committee on Natural Resources;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Committee at its eleventh session a report based, inter alia, on information made available by Governments, documenting United Nations and related activities in mineral resources directed at:

(a) Strengthening national institutions in developing countries for the conduct of exploration, development and planning activities;

(b) Conducting surveys and studies to assist in the identification of mineral resources and the encouragement of their development;

(c) Enhancing national technical capabilities through the transfer and application of necessary technology for the development of basic resource information, and for exploration, assessment and development of natural resources, including the training of both technical and managerial personnel;

3. Requests the Committee on Natural Resources, at its eleventh session, on the basis of the report requested in paragraph 2 above, to make recommendations to the Economic and Social Council on ways to ensure and improve co-operation and the overall efficiency of all the aforementioned activities;

4. Invites Governments to take that report into account in their activities directed at co-operation in mineral resources.