26 July 1990

36th Plenary Meeting

1990/58. International co-operation in the field of informatics

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its decision 1989/179 of 27 July 1989 and decision 7.1 adopted by the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization at its one hundred and thirty-first session,

Taking note of the report on international co-operation in the field of informatics prepared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in consultation with the International Telecommunication Union and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization,

Recognizing that the development of informatics is necessary and vital for the development of the individual and of society,

Considering the importance of the development of informatics as a key area of scientific and technological progress and cognizant of the importance of informatics in the development of all countries,

Considering also the existing disparities in the level of development of informatics between the developed and the developing countries,

Recognizing, therefore, the need for international co-operation in that field,

1. Recommends that international organizations, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization through the Intergovernmental Programme for Informatics, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the International Telecommunication Union, continue to increase their efforts and activities in the field of informatics;

2. Invites the above-mentioned organizations to consider including in their respective work programmes a priority subprogramme on international co-operation in the field of informatics, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure effective co-ordination through existing co-ordination mechanisms;

3. Calls upon Member States to encourage and promote activities to expand the endogenous skills of their population in the field of informatics;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on all aspects of international co-operation in the field of informatics and the impact of informatics on the economic growth and development of the developing countries, including concrete recommendations for intensifying and strengthening international co-operation in that field in the context of the revitalization of economic growth and development of the developing countries, for submission to the Economic and Social Council at its second regular session of 1991.