26 July 1991

31st plenary meeting

International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 42/169 of 9 December 1987, 43/202 of 20 December 1988, 44/236 of 22 December 1989 and 45/185 of 21 December 1990,

Recalling also its resolution 1989/99 of 26 July 1989,

Reaffirming the important responsibility of the United Nations system as a whole for promoting international cooperation in order to address and mitigate natural disasters, provide assistance and coordinate disaster relief, preparedness and prevention,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction,

Taking note also of the relevant conclusions reached by the Committee for Programme and Coordination at its thirty-first session, in particular those contained in paragraphs 366 to 369 of its report,

Noting the particular vulnerability of developing countries to natural disasters,

Welcoming the progress made in this area, in particular the first session of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, held in Bonn from 4 to 8 March 1991,

Noting the progress achieved in the working relationship between the secretariat of the Decade, the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator and the Office of the Director-General for Development and International Economic Cooperation, in accordance with relevant provisions of General Assembly resolution 45/185, and stressing the need to continue to cooperate closely,

Noting also the expectations and high interest expressed by Member States in the activities envisaged for the Decade,

1. Takes note of the report of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction on the work of its first session;

2. Notes the establishment of the Trust Fund for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction and appeals to the international community, in particular to donor countries, for adequate financial contributions to the Fund in order to carry out the activities for the Decade;

3. Reaffirms General Assembly resolution 45/185, and stresses the need for the full implementation of its provisions relating, inter alia, to the completion of the organizational arrangements, in particular the establishment of the Special High-level Council and the observation of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on 9 October 1991.