International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters from relief to development : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

International cooperation on humanitarian assistance in the field of natural disasters from relief to development

Calls upon States to adopt and to continue to implement effectively necessary legislative and other appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of natural disasters; encourages further efforts by UNDP to strengthen operational activities and capacity-building in natural disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness; invites the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat and concerned organizations to maximize international cooperation in the field of natural disasters, to strengthen their support to UN disaster management teams which are dispatched upon request by host Governments and steered by the UN resident coordinator; welcomes innovative efforts to link various phases of international assistance from relief to rehabilitation; encourages Governments, relevant organizations of the UN system and non-governmental organizations, to continue to cooperate appropriately with the Secretary-General and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator to maximize the effectiveness of the international response to natural disasters; reiterates its request to the Secretary-General, contained in resolution 54/95 of 8 Dec. 1999, to submit to the General Assembly, early in 2000, concrete proposals in order to enhance the functioning and utilization of the Central Emergency Revolving Fund; invites the Secretary-General further to consider innovative means for timely and adequate natural disaster response; invites the Economic and Social Council, at its substantive session of 2000 to consider ways to enhance further the effectiveness of international cooperation and coordination; invites the Secretary-General to continue to consider innovative mechanisms to improve the international response to natural disasters and other emergencies.

Adopted without vote, 87th meeting

4 p.

Adopted at the 87th plenary meeting, 22 Dec. 1999.