Resolution 48/213
(December 10, 1993)
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 47/170 of 22 December 1992,
Welcoming the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements, including its Annexes and its Agreed Minutes,
by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation
Organization, in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993,1/
Gravely concerned about the difficult economic and employment
conditions facing the Palestinian people throughout the occupied territory,
Conscious of the need for improvement in the economic and social
infrastructure of the occupied territory and in the living conditions of
the Palestinian people,
Aware that development is difficult under occupation and is best
promoted in circumstances of peace and stability,
Noting, in the light of the recent developments, the great economic
and social challenges facing the Palestinian people and their leadership,
Conscious of the urgent necessity for international assistance to
the Palestinian people, taking into account the Palestinian priorities,
Noting the convening of the United Nations Seminar on Assistance to
the Palestinian People, held at the headquarters of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization from 26 to 29 April 1993,
Stressing the need for the full engagement of the United Nations in
the process of building Palestinian institutions and in providing broad
assistance to the Palestinian people,
Welcoming the convening of the Conference to Support Middle East
Peace, held in Washington, D.C., on 1 October 1993, and the establishment
of the high-level United Nations task force to support the economic and
social development of the Palestinian people,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General,2/
1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General;
2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General for his rapid
response and efforts regarding assistance to the Palestinian people;
3. Expresses its appreciation to the Member States, United Nations
bodies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations that have
provided and continue to provide assistance to the Palestinian people;
4. Welcomes the results of the Conference to Support Middle East
Peace, convened in Washington, D.C., on 1 October 1993;
5. Urges Member States, international financial institutions of the
United Nations system, international intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations and regional and interregional organizations to extend, as
rapidly and as generously as possible, economic and social assistance to
the Palestinian people in order to assist in the development of the West
Bank and Gaza, and to do so in close cooperation with the Palestine
Liberation Organization and through official Palestinian institutions;
6. Considers that an active United Nations role in assisting in the
implementation of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government
Arrangements, including its Annexes and its Agreed Minutes, 1/ can
make a positive contribution;
7. Calls upon relevant organizations and agencies of the United
Nations system to intensify their assistance in response to the urgent
needs of the Palestinian people, and to improve coordination through an
appropriate mechanism under the auspices of the Secretary-General;
8. Urges Member States to open their markets to exports from the
West Bank and Gaza on the most favourable terms, consistent with
appropriate trading rules;
9. Suggests the convening in 1993/94, under the appropriate United
Nations auspices, of a seminar on Palestinian trade and investment needs in
light of the new developments;
10. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the coordinated work of
the United Nations system for an adequate response to the needs of the
Palestinian people and to mobilize financial, technical, economic and other
assistance;
11. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the
General Assembly at its forty-ninth session, through the Economic and
Social Council, on the implementation of the present resolution,
containing:
(a) An assessment of the assistance actually received by the
Palestinian people;
(b) An assessment of the needs still unmet and specific proposals
for responding effectively to them;
12. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth
session an item entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian people".
86th plenary meeting
21 December 1993
________________
1/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex.
2/ A/48/183-E/1993/74 and Add.1.
Sources: The United Nations |