Recalling its resolution 3337 (XXIX) of 17 December 1974, in which it decided to initiate concerted international action to combat desertification,

Recalling further its resolution 3511 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 on the United Nations Conference on Desertification,

Having considered the relevant parts of the report of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme on its fourth session relating to the implementation of General Assembly resolution 3337 (XXIX),/13

Noting decision 73 (IV)/14 of 13 April 1976 of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme acting in its capacity as the intergovernmental preparatory body for the Conference,

Noting also Economic and Social Council resolution 2013 (LXI) of 3 August 1976,

1.Urges Member States to continue to co-operate with the secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Desertification in the preparations for the Conference, including the case studies and the proposed transnational activities to combat desertification;

2.Requests the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, in addition to his other responsibilities as Executive Director, to assume the responsibility of Secretary-General of the Conference;

3.Requests the Secretary-General to invite:

1. All States to participate in the Conference;

2. Representatives of organizations that have received a standing invitation from the General Assembly to participate in the sessions and the work of all international conferences convened under its auspices in the capacity of observers, in accordance with Assembly resolution 3237 (XXIX) of 22 November 1974;

3. Representatives of the national liberation movements recognized in its region by the Organization of African Unity, in the capacity of observers, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 3280 (XXIX) of 10 December 1974;

4. The United Nations Council for Namibia to participate as an observer;

5. The specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as interested organs of the United Nations, to be represented at the Conference;

6. Interested intergovernmental organizations to be represented by observers;

7. Interested non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to be represented by observers;

4.Authorizes the Secretary-General to invite other interested non-governmental organizations that might have a specific contribution to make to the work of the Conference to be represented by observers;

5.Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made for the effective participation in the Conference of the representatives referred to in paragraph 3 (b) and (c) above, including the requisite financial provisions for their travel expenses and per diem;

6.Decides to include Arabic as a language of the Conference;

7.Approves the provisional agenda for the Conference annexed to the present resolution;

8.Requests the Secretary-General to report on the results of the Conference, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its thirty-second session.

301st plenary meeting
16 December 1976

Annex

Provisional agenda for the United Nations Conference on Desertification

Opening of the Conference and election of the President.

Organization of the work of the Conference:

1. Adoption of the rules of procedure;

2. Adoption of the agenda;

3. Establishment of committees and other sessional bodies;

4. Election of officers other than the President;

5. Credentials of representatives to the Conference: appointment of the Credentials Committee.

General debate.

Processes and causes of desertification.

Plan of action to combat desertification.

Credentials of representatives to the Conference: report of the Credentials Committee.

Adoption of the report of the Conference.