Recalling its resolutions 3201 (S-VI) and 3202 (S- VI) of 1 May 1974, and 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974,

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 paragraphs 2 and 3 of Economic and Social Council resolution 2028 (LXI) of 4 August 1976,

Recalling also its resolution 31/184 of 21 December 1976, in which it decided, inter alia, to convene the Conference 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, and in which it established the preparatory mechanism for the Conference,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly resolution 31/184,/65

Taking note also of the report of the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development on its first session./66

Considering that the vital role of science and technology is universally recognized and that the General Assembly has recommended that science and technology should be called upon to play a more direct and important role in the process of stimulating development and reducing international inequalities,

I

1.Endorses Economic and Social Council resolution 2123 (LXIII) of 4 August 1977;

2.Decides to hold the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development at an appropriate time in 1979, bearing in mind the decision contained in paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 31/184;

3.Affirms that the Conference should be aimed, inter alia, at the development, through enhanced international co-operation in science and technology, including the transfer of technology, of the independent scientific and technological capacity of developing countries, in particular through technological innovations, in order to facilitate the solution of their economic and social problems;

4.Decides that the Committee on Science and Technology for Development, when acting as the Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, is open to the participation of all States as full members;

5.Urges all States, in consultation when necessary with the Secretary-General of the Conference, to take all necessary measures to make positive contributions to the preparatory work of the Conference;

6.Requests the Secretary-General and the executive heads of the organs and organizations of the United Nations system to give high priority to the preparations for the Conference;

7.Affirms that the Secretary-General of the Conference is invested with full responsibility for the co-ordination of all substantive work of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference;

8.Requests the Secretary-General of the Conference to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations current reports on the state of preparations for the Conference;

9.Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its thirty-third session. through the Economic and Social Council, a comprehensive and analytical progress report on the state of preparations for the Conference;

II

Reaffirms the provision in paragraph 5 of Economic and Social Council resolution 2033 (LXI) of 4 August 1976, in which the Council recommended the increase in the participation of developing countries in the Advisory Committee on the Application of Science and Technology to Development, and requests the Secretary-General, bearing in mind the role of the Advisory Committee in the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, to undertake effective consultations with Governments with a view to implementing that resolution and appointing the members of the Advisory Committee, taking into account, inter alia, the principle of equitable geographical distribution.

103rd plenary meeting
15 December 1977