31 July 1992

42nd plenary meeting

The need to harmonize and improve United Nations informatics systems for optimal utilization and accessibility by all States

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1991/70 of 26 July 1991,

Taking note with appreciation of the report prepared by the Secretary-General analysing the causes of the present situation with respect to United Nations informatics systems, and of the outline of solutions presented in that report,

1. Stresses the priority that it attaches to easy, economical, uncomplicated and unhindered access for States Members of the United Nations and for observers to the growing computerized databases and information systems and services of the United Nations;

2. Reiterates the urgent need for representatives of States to be closely consulted and actively associated with the respective executive and governing bodies of the concerned United Nations institutions, such as the International Computing Centre and the Advisory Committee for the Coordination of Information Systems, dealing with informatics within the United Nations system, so that the specific needs of States as internal end-users can be given due priority;

3. Calls for the urgent implementation of measures, if necessary in a phased programme, in order to achieve the objective of easy, economical, uncomplicated and unhindered access for all Member States and observers, in particular through their permanent missions, to United Nations computerized databases and information systems and services;

4. Requests that the initial phases of this action programme be implemented from within existing resources and in full consultation with the representatives of States;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the follow-up action taken on the present resolution to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1993;

6. Calls on Member States to pursue similar action in the governing bodies of the specialized agencies within which they are represented.