A/RES/62/6 to a large extent on enhanced international cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, Expressing its appreciation and strong support for the central and impartial role that the Secretary-General and his Special Representative continue to play in the consolidation of peace and stability in Afghanistan, stressing the central role of the Assistance Mission in promoting a more coherent international engagement to ensure a seamless transition, under Afghan leadership, from humanitarian relief to recovery and reconstruction, and also stressing the need for further sustained cooperation, coordination and mutual support between the international community and the Government of Afghanistan, Welcoming the work of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board established by the Afghanistan Compact as an instrument to further improve coordination between the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners and to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks, Recognizing the need for a continued strong international commitment to humanitarian assistance and for programmes, under the ownership of the Government of Afghanistan, of recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, and expressing, at the same time, its appreciation to the United Nations system and to all States and international and non-governmental organizations whose international and local staff continue to respond positively to the humanitarian, transition and development needs of Afghanistan despite increasing security concerns and difficulties of access in certain areas, Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General 7 and the recommendations 1. contained therein; 2. Strongly condemns the upsurge of violence, including the rising trend of suicide attacks, in Afghanistan, in particular in the southern and eastern parts, owing to the increased violent and terrorist activity by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, other extremist groups and those involved in the narcotics trade, which has resulted in increased casualties among Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces, the International Security Assistance Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition, as well as among the personnel of Afghan and international aid agencies and all other humanitarian workers; Stresses the importance of the provision of sufficient security, welcomes 3. the presence of the Assistance Force throughout Afghanistan, and calls upon Member States to continue contributing personnel, equipment and other resources to the Assistance Force and to further develop the provincial reconstruction teams in close coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan; Expresses its appreciation for the work of the Assistance Mission as 4. mandated by the Security Council in its resolution 1746 (2007) and stresses the continued importance of the central and impartial role played by the Assistance Mission in promoting and coordinating a more coherent international engagement, welcomes the extension of its presence in additional provinces, which thus ensures that the United Nations fulfils its essential coordinating role, and encourages the Assistance Mission to consolidate its presence and to continue its expansion throughout the country, in particular in the south, security conditions permitting; _______________ 7 A/62/345-S/2007/555. 5