A/RES/53/131 Page 3 I REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION 1. Takes note of the report of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on its fifty-second and fifty-third sessions;6 2. Commends the Committee for its work with regard to the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination,1 especially the examination of reports under article 9 and action on communications under article 14 of the Convention; 3. Calls upon States parties to fulfil their obligation, under paragraph 1 of article 9 of the Convention, to submit their periodic reports on measures taken to implement the Convention in due time; 4. Expresses its concern at the fact that a great number of reports are overdue and continue to be overdue, in particular initial reports, which constitutes an obstacle to the full implementation of the Convention, and encourages the Secretariat to extend technical assistance to those States whose reports are seriously overdue, upon their request, in the preparation of the reports; 5. Commends the Committee on its continuing efforts to contribute to the effective implementation of the Convention, and notes its continuing efforts to improve its working methods; 6. Also commends the Committee for its continuing contribution to the prevention of racial discrimination, and welcomes its relevant action thereon; 7. Encourages the Committee to continue to contribute fully to the implementation of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination and its revised Programme of Action,7 including by continuing to collaborate with the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities of the Commission on Human Rights, as well as by cooperating, as appropriate, with the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; 8. Welcomes and encourages the cooperation and exchange of information between the Committee and relevant structures and mechanisms of the United Nations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as with the General Assembly and the States parties to the Convention; 9. Takes note of the initial suggestions made by the Committee regarding the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and invites the Committee to give high priority to the preparatory process for the World Conference, to present to the Commission on Human Rights, which will act as the preparatory committee for the Conference, its contribution to the objectives of the Conference, including the undertaking of a series of studies, and to participate actively in the preparatory process and at the Conference itself; 6 Official Records of the General Assembly, Fifty-third Session, Supplement No. 18 (A/53/18). 7 Resolution 49/146, annex. /...