Recalling section III, paragraph 7, of its resolution 3362 (S-VII) of 16 September 1975, in which it decided that a United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development should be held in 1978 or 1979,

Recalling Economic and Social Council resolutions 1897 (LVII) of 1 August 1974 on the question of convening a United Nations conference on science and technology, 2028 (LXI) of 4 August 1976 on the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development and 2035 (LXI) of 4 August 1976 on the preparatory period for the Conference,

Recalling further the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order /122 and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States,/123

1.Endorses Economic and Social Council resolutions 2028 (LXI) and 2035 (LXI);

2.Decides to convene the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development during 1979, in time for the General Assembly to take action at its thirty-fourth session in the light of the results of the Conference;

3.Decides that the Conference should be within the framework recommended in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Economic and Social Council resolution 2028 (LXI):

4.Requests the Secretary-General to appoint a Secretary-General of the Conference at the earliest possible time, as provided in paragraph 5 of Council resolution 2028 (LXI), and further requests such appointment to be made at the level of Under-SecretaryGeneral, in order to ensure the appropriate capacity for co-ordination and interaction with Member States and within the specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system;

5.Decides that the Committee on Science and Technology for Development shall act as the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, open to the participation of all States, and further decides that the Preparatory Committee shall hold its first session early in 1977 and submit its report to the General Assembly at its thirty-second session through the Economic and Social Council at its sixty-third session;

6.Requests the Preparatory Committee to consider, taking into account the time needed for the due completion of the various stages of preparation for the Conference. the question of the time-table, sites and other necessary arrangements for the regional and interregional preparatory meetings and to submit its proposals to the Economic and Social Council at its sixty-third session:

7.Also requests the Committee on Science and Technology for Development to consider, at its meeting in 1977, as the Preparatory Committee, the draft provisional agenda for its fourth regular session;

8.Decides to take a final decision on the question of the site of the Conference at its thirty-second session;

9.Invites the specialized agencies, in particular the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency and the interested organs of the United Nations, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the regional commissions to co-operate fully in the preparations for the Conference, as provided by Economic and Social Council resolution 2028 (LXI);

10.Requests the Committee on Science and Technology for Development to take fully into account, in the process of preparation for the Conference, the interrelationship between the scientific/technological fields and other areas of activity of the United Nations system. in particular the economic area, so as to create more favourable conditions for the further promotion of comprehensive international co-operation:

11.Invites the Secretary-General to request the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination to promote, through its Sub-Committee on Science and Technology, close and permanent contact with the Secretary-General of the Conference;

12.Decides that, for the preparatory work leading to the Conference, the Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to Development should advise, on request, the Secretary-General of the Conference and the Preparatory Committee on matters pertaining to the Conference and should assist and collaborate, at the request of the Secretary-General of the Conference, in the preparations for the Conference at the regional level;

13.Requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to seek the co-operation of intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council which may be in a position to contribute constructively to the preparation of the Conference;

14.Invites Governments to participate fully in the preparations for the Conference, taking into account the provisions of Economic and Social Council resolutions 2028 (LXI) and 2035 (LXI);

15.Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to submit a report to the General Assembly at its thirty-second session, through the Economic and Social Council, on the implementation of the present resolution.

106th plenary meeting
21 December 1976