WELCOMING with deep gratitude the keynote address by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Honourable Mary Robinson, to the Opening Session of this Assembly;

EXPRESSING appreciation for her strong reaffinnation of active partnership between NGOs and the United Nations, including at field level;

NOTING that 1998 marks the observance of the 50th anniversary of the Conference of NGOs;

REAFFIRMING the comprehensive and universal approach to human rights stated in the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the W orld Conference on Human Rights and manifested in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

CONVINCED of the significant role of NGOs and their essential contribution to the work of the Commission on Human Rights and its subsidiary bodies as well as all elements of the United Nations human rights machinery.

CALLS upon the Board of the Conference, in consultation with its substantive committees, to enter into a continuing dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on modalities for a stronger, more effective partnership with her Office at all levels.

 to the General Assembly