A/RES/61/18 Recognizing that the social and economic development of Afghanistan, specifically the development of alternative gainful and sustainable livelihoods in the formal productive sector, is an important element of the successful implementation of the comprehensive Afghan national drug control strategy and depends to a large extent on enhanced international cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan, Welcoming the launching on 31 January 2006 of the updated National Drug Control Strategy at the London Conference on Afghanistan, 5 Deeply concerned about the increased cultivation, production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs in Afghanistan, which is undermining stability and security as well as the political and economic reconstruction of Afghanistan and has dangerous repercussions in the region and far beyond, and commending in this context the publication of the updated National Drug Control Strategy and the reaffirmed commitment of the Government of Afghanistan to rid the country of this pernicious production and trade, including by decisive law enforcement measures, Expressing its appreciation and strong support for the central and impartial role that the Secretary-General and his Special Representative continue to play in the consolidation of peace and stability in Afghanistan, and underlining the coordinating role of the United Nations in continuing to ensure a seamless transition, under Afghan leadership, from humanitarian relief to recovery and reconstruction, Welcoming, in this context, the establishment of the Joint Coordination and Monitoring Board pursuant to the Afghanistan Compact as an instrument to further improve coordination between the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners and to monitor the implementation of all benchmarks, Recognizing the need for a continued strong international commitment to humanitarian assistance and for programmes, under the ownership of the Government of Afghanistan, of recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction, and expressing, at the same time, its appreciation to the United Nations system and to all States and international and non-governmental organizations whose international and local staff continue to respond positively to the humanitarian, transition and development needs of Afghanistan despite increasing security concerns and difficulties of access in certain areas, Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General 6 and the recommendations 1. contained therein; 2. Strongly condemns the upsurge of violence throughout Afghanistan, in particular in the southern and eastern parts, owing to the increased violent and terrorist activity by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, other extremist groups and those involved in the narcotics trade, which has resulted in increased casualties among Afghan civilians, Afghan National Security Forces, the International Security Assistance Force and the Operation Enduring Freedom coalition, as well as among the personnel of Afghan and international aid agencies and all other humanitarian workers; Stresses the importance of the provision of sufficient security, welcomes 3. the expansion of the presence of the Assistance Force in southern and eastern Afghanistan, and calls upon Member States to continue contributing personnel, equipment and other resources to the Assistance Force and to further develop the _______________ 5 6 4 S/2006/106, annex. A/61/326-S/2006/727.