A/RES/57/161 25. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to initiate consultations with interested Member States regarding these requests and to keep the General Assembly apprised of progress in these talks; 26. Decides to authorize the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala from 1 January to 31 December 2003; 27. Requests the Secretary-General to submit, as early as possible, an updated report to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session, together with his recommendations regarding the best way to accompany Guatemala in its peacebuilding process beyond 31 December 2003; 28. Also requests the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly fully informed of the implementation of the present resolution. 76th plenary meeting 16 December 2002 4