A/RES/63/149 Recognizing that host States have the primary responsibility for the protection of and assistance to refugees on their territory, and the need to redouble efforts to develop and implement comprehensive durable solution strategies, in appropriate cooperation with the international community, and burden- and responsibilitysharing, Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility to provide protection and assistance to internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction, as well as to address the root causes of the displacement problem in appropriate cooperation with the international community, Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General 6 and the United 1. Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 7 5F 6F 2. Notes the need for African States to address resolutely root causes of all forms of forced displacement in Africa and to foster peace, stability and prosperity throughout the African continent so as to forestall refugee flows; Notes with great concern that, despite all of the efforts made so far by the 3. United Nations, the African Union and others, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa remains precarious, and calls upon States and other parties to armed conflict to observe scrupulously the letter and spirit of international humanitarian law, bearing in mind that armed conflict is one of the principal causes of forced displacement in Africa; Welcomes decision EX.CL/Dec.423 (XIII) on the situation of refugees, 4. returnees and displaced persons in Africa adopted by the Executive Council of the African Union at its thirteenth ordinary session, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 27 and 28 June 2008; 8 7F 5. Expresses its appreciation for the leadership shown by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and commends the Office for its ongoing efforts, with the support of the international community, to assist African countries of asylum and to respond to the protection and assistance needs of refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa; Notes the initiatives taken by the African Union and the African 6. Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, in particular the role of its Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa; Notes with appreciation the general conclusion on international 7. protection adopted by the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at its fifty-ninth session, held in Geneva from 6 to 10 October 2008; 9 8F 8. Acknowledges the important contribution of the age, gender and diversity mainstreaming strategy in identifying, through a participatory approach, the protection risks faced by the different members of the refugee community, in _______________ 6 A/63/321. Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-third Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/63/12). 8 See A/63/515, annex II. 9 Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-third Session, Supplement No. 12A (A/63/12/Add.1), chap. III, sect. A. 7 2