30 July 1992

41st plenary meeting

International cooperation and coordination of efforts to address and mitigate the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The Economic and Social Council,

Reaffirming its resolutions 1990/50 of 13 July 1990 and 1991/51 of 26 July 1991,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 45/190 of 21 December 1990 and 46/150 of 18 December 1991,

Taking note with appreciation of the decisions adopted by the organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system in the implementation of General Assembly resolutions 45/190 and 46/150,

Taking note of the relevant recommendations contained in the report of the Committee for Programme and Coordination on the first part of its thirty-second session,

Taking note with appreciation of the contribution made by Member States and by organizations of the United Nations system in the development of cooperation to mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster and encouraging further contributions, including contributions to projects under the joint plan executed by the organizations of the United Nations system,

Expressing profound concern about the ongoing effects on the lives and health of people, especially children, in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine and also in other countries affected by the Chernobyl disaster,

Aware of the need to strengthen further the coordination of active efforts, through international and, in particular, national measures, to mitigate and minimize the radiological, health, socio-economic, psychological and environmental consequences of that disaster, as well as its possible long-term effects, including those resulting from transboundary contamination,

Stressing the importance of providing extensive information on all aspects of the Chernobyl disaster and its causes for the purpose of avoiding similar calamities in the future,

Stressing the responsibility of each State, particularly through its safety authorities and its plant operators, for the safety of its nuclear power plants and encouraging cooperation to this and throughout the world, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe, and emphasizing the high priority that should be given by the countries concerned to eliminating this danger through safety improvements and other appropriate measures with the support of the international community,

1. Takes note of the practical measures that have been taken by the Secretary-General to coordinate the activities of the organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, as well as other measures to implement General Assembly resolutions 45/190 and 46/150;

2. Appeals to all States Members of the United Nations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, charity foundations, the business community, scientific bodies and individuals to make contributions and to provide all possible social, medical, food and other humanitarian assistance for the purpose of rehabilitation of the population in the affected areas of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine;

3. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations Coordinator of International Cooperation for Chernobyl to report to the General Assembly at its forty-seventh session on the implementation of resolutions 45/190 and 46/150.