A/RES/64/197 agriculture to, and help to mitigate the negative impact of, climate change, land degradation and desertification, Underlining the importance of collaboration, sharing of information and dissemination of agricultural technology research results as well as wide consultation when defining the global, regional and national research agendas, and in this regard noting the valuable role of, inter alia, the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and its affiliated or associated organizations, Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on agricultural technology 1. for development; 10 9F 2. Calls upon Member States and relevant United Nations organizations to make greater efforts to develop and disseminate appropriate sustainable agricultural technologies, particularly in and with developing countries, under fair, transparent and mutually agreed terms, and to support national efforts to foster utilization of local know-how and agricultural technologies, promote agricultural technology research and enable poor rural women, men and youth to increase sustainable agricultural productivity and enhance food security; Calls attention to the crucial role of women in the agricultural sector, and 3. therefore calls upon Member States to promote and support better access of women to agricultural technology information and know-how, equipment and decisionmaking forums; Underlines the importance of supporting and advancing research in 4. improving and diversifying crop varieties, as well as supporting the establishment of agricultural systems and sustainable management practices, in order to make agriculture more resilient and, in particular, to make crops more tolerant to environmental stress, including drought and climate change, in a manner consistent with national regulations and relevant international agreements; Also underlines the importance of the sustainable use and management of 5. water resources to increase and ensure agricultural productivity, and calls for further efforts to strengthen the provision and proper maintenance of irrigation facilities as well as to introduce water-saving technology, considering the possible impact of climate change on water resources; Encourages Member States, civil society and public and private 6. institutions to develop partnerships to support financial and market services, including training, capacity-building, infrastructure and extension services to farmers, in particular smallholder farmers, and calls for further efforts by all stakeholders to make appropriate sustainable agricultural technologies available and affordable to smallholder farmers; Calls upon Member States to include sustainable agricultural 7. development as an integral part of their national policies and strategies, notes the positive impact that North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation can have in this regard, and urges the relevant bodies of the United Nations system to include elements of agricultural technology, research and development in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals; Requests relevant United Nations organizations, including the Food and 8. Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Fund for _______________ 10 A/64/258. 3