A/RES/62/117 14. Also welcomes the importance attached by the parties to the Matignon and Nouméa Accords to greater progress in housing, employment, training, education and health care in New Caledonia; 15. Notes the increase by the Government of France in financial assistance to the Territory, amounting to 910 million euros in 2005 for health, education, payment of public-service salaries and funding development schemes; 16. Acknowledges the contribution of the Melanesian Cultural Centre to the protection of the indigenous Kanak culture of New Caledonia; 17. Notes the positive initiatives aimed at protecting the natural environment of New Caledonia, notably the “Zonéco” operation designed to map and evaluate marine resources within the economic zone of New Caledonia; 18. Welcomes the establishment of a new form of cooperation among Australia, France and New Zealand in terms of surveillance of fishing zones, in accordance with the wishes expressed by France during the France-Oceania Summits in July 2003 and June 2006; 19. Acknowledges the close links between New Caledonia and the peoples of the South Pacific and the positive actions being taken by the French and territorial authorities to facilitate the further development of those links, including the development of closer relations with the countries members of the Pacific Islands Forum; 20. Welcomes, in this regard, the accession by New Caledonia in October 2006, at the 37th Summit of the Pacific Islands Forum, in Fiji, to the status of associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum, giving the Territory the right to participate in Forum discussions; 21. Also welcomes the continuing high-level visits to New Caledonia by delegations from countries of the Pacific region and high-level visits by delegations from New Caledonia to countries members of the Pacific Islands Forum; 22. Further welcomes the cooperative attitude of other States and Territories in the region towards New Caledonia, its economic and political aspirations and its increasing participation in regional and international affairs; 23. Recalls the endorsement of the report of the Forum Ministerial Committee on New Caledonia by leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum at its 36th Summit, in October 2005 in Papua New Guinea, and the continuing role of the Forum Ministerial Committee in monitoring developments in the Territory and encouraging closer regional engagements; 24. Decides to keep under continuous review the process unfolding in New Caledonia as a result of the signing of the Nouméa Accord; 25. Requests the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples to continue the examination of the question of the Non-SelfGoverning Territory of New Caledonia and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its sixty-third session. 75th plenary meeting 17 December 2007 3