Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa: resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

A/RES/40/117

Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 37/197 of 18 December 1982, 38/120 of 16 December 1983 and 39/139 of 14 December 1984 relating to the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on assistance to refugees in Africa,

Mindful that the fundamental purpose of the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa, held at Geneva from 9 to 11 July 1984, was to launch collective action by the international community aimed at achieving lasting solutions,

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

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

Deeply concerned that the refugee situation has been severely affected by the critical economic situation in Africa, as well as by drought and other natural disasters,

Recognizing that the efforts of the countries of asylum require the concerted support of the international community to meet the needs for emergency relief and for medium- and long-term development aid,

Taking note of the declarations and resolutions adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity at its twenty-first ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 18 to 20 July 1985, and of the resolutions adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity at its forty-second ordinary session, held at Addis Ababa from 10 to 17 July 1985, in particular CM/Res.989 (XLII), on the situation of refugees in Africa,

Emphasizing the collective responsibility of sharing the urgent and overwhelming burden of the problem of African refugees through effective mobilization of additional 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 rehabilitating voluntary returnees,

Reiterating the vital importance of the complementarity between refugee aid and development assistance,

Desirous of ensuring the speedy implementation of the recommendations and pledges made at the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa,

1. Expresses its deep appreciation to African host countries, which are the biggest donors, for their generous contribution and continuous efforts to alleviate the plight of refugees in spite of their critical economic situation;

2. Reiterates its appreciation to all donor countries, the organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, regional organizations and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations for their initial support and response to the projects submitted to the Second International Conference on Assistance to Refugees in Africa;

3. Urges the international community to maintain the momentum created by the Conference and to translate into reality the projects submitted as well as the principles in the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the Conference;

4. Emphasizes the vital importance of the complementarity of refugee aid and development assistance and of achieving durable solutions to the problems of refugees in Africa and the necessity of providing assistance for the strengthening of the social and economic infrastructures of African countries receiving refugees and returnees;

5. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to continue to keep the situation of refugees in Africa under constant review so as to ensure that adequate assistance is available for care and maintenance and for bringing about durable solutions;

6. Requests the United Nations Development Programme to increase its efforts to mobilize additional resources for refugee-related development projects and, in general, to promote and co-ordinate with the host countries and the donor community the integration of refugee-related activities into national development planning;

7. Calls upon all Member States and organizations of the United Nations system concerned, as well as relevant regional, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to lend their support to the speedy implementation of the recommendations and pledges made at the Conference;

8. Requests the Secretary-General, in accordance with the Declaration and Programme of Action, to monitor, in consultation and close co-operation with the Organization of African Unity, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Development Programme, the follow-up to the Conference;

9. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-first session, through the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation of the present resolution..