Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa

A/RES/38/120

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa

The General Assembly,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on preparations for the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa and the sections on Africa contained in the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Recalling its resolutions 37/197 of 18 December 1982, entitled "International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa", and 38/5 of 28 October 1983 on co-operation between the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity,

Bearing in mind resolution AHG/Res.114 (XIX) on the Second Conference adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its nineteenth ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 6 to 12 June 1983,

Gravely concerned at the persistent and serious problem of large numbers of refugees on the African continent,

Aware of the economic and social burden borne by African countries of asylum on account of the presence of these refugees and its consequences for their national development and of the heavy sacrifices made by them, despite their limited resources,

Recognizing the universal collective responsibility of sharing the urgent and overwhelming burden of the problem of African refugees through effective mobilization of resources to meet the urgent and long-term needs of the refugees and to strengthen the capacity of countries of asylum to provide adequately for the refugees while they remain in those countries, as well as to assist the countries of origin in the rehabilitation of voluntary returnees,

Recognizing that the achievement of durable solutions to refugee problems, in particular voluntary repatriation and local integration, calls for generous humanitarian and developmental assistance to the affected countries, as well as for efforts to address the causes of refugee situations,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on preparations for the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa;

2. Approves the proposed Conference arrangements contained in paragraph 17 of the report of the Secretary-General;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to invite all States to participate in the Conference at the ministerial level and to invite also the relevant organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to participate in the Conference at a high level;

4. Appeals to the international community, all States, specialized agencies and regional intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to provide the utmost support for the Conference with a view to offering maximum financial and material assistance to refugees in Africa and to ensuring the success of the Conference;

5. Expresses its deep appreciation to the countries of asylum for the generous contribution and sacrifices that they are making to alleviate the plight of refugees;

6. Commends those countries that are supporting programmes for refugees and returnees for their continued assistance and calls upon them as well as other States and international organizations to assist and co-operate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the promotion of durable solutions;

7. Requests the Secretary-General, in close co-operation with the Organization of African Unity and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to ensure that, in the period leading up to the Conference, all appropriate measures are taken so that Member States, in particular, principal donors, are kept fully informed of the priority needs of the affected countries and that contacts are established in the capitals concerned to mobilize the necessary support and resources;

8. Notes with satisfaction the action taken by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to initiate public information programmes to increase public awareness of the refugee situation in Africa and the objectives of the Conference;

9. Requests the Department of Public Information of the Secretariat, and other competent bodies of the United Nations system to co-operate closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that the maximum amount of publicity is given to the refugee situation in Africa, as well as to the Conference and its objectives;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its thirty-ninth session on the implementation of the present resolution.