Strengthening of international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster

Requests the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in the implementation of the relevant General Assembly resolutions and, through existing coordination mechanisms, in particular the UN Coordinator for International Cooperation on Chernobyl, to continue to maintain close cooperation with the agencies of the UN system, as well as with regional and other relevant organizations, with a view to encouraging the regular exchange of information, cooperation and coordination of multilateral and bilateral efforts in those areas; welcomes the decision of the heads of State and Government of the 7 major industrial States and the European Union, adopted at Denver, United States, in June 1997, regarding assistance in securing the environmental safety of the sarcophagus covering the remains of the destroyed Chernobyl reactor and the allocation of US$300 million for a shelter implementation plan; expresses its appreciation for the contributions made to the shelter implementation plan at the International Chernobyl Shelter Pledging Conference for Governments, held in New York on 20 Nov. 1997, and urges futher contributions to the plan; welcomes the preparation by UN, in cooperation with the Governments of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine, of the inter-agency programme of international assistance to areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster; welcomes also the convening by UN of a special international meeting on Chernobyl, held on 25 Nov. 1997, to generate further support for the populations of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine affected by the Chernobyl nuclear power plan disaster, and urges further contributions towards the implementation of the projects specified in the inter-agency programme;takes note with satisfaction of the establishment in Ukraine of the International Chernobyl Centre, with the active participation of Belarus and the Russian Federation.

Adopted without vote, 73rd meeting

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Adopted at the 73rd plenary meeting, 16 Dec. 1997.