A/RES/57/113 A-B Noting the accession of Afghanistan to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction, 4 Remaining deeply concerned about the problem of millions of anti-personnel landmines and unexploded ordnance, which constitutes a great danger for the civilian population and a major obstacle for the return of refugees and displaced populations and for the resumption of agricultural activities, the provision of humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, Welcoming the positive steps taken so far towards an improvement in the situation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of many Afghans, in particular women and children, however noting with grave concern that there remain discriminatory practices that hinder the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, Expressing its deep concern about reports of abuses of human rights and of international humanitarian law in parts of the country, and in this regard reminding the Transitional Authority and all Afghan groups of their commitment to respect human rights in the country, as contained in the Bonn Agreement, Reiterating the importance of the safety and security of the humanitarian personnel and United Nations and associated personnel in Afghanistan, Noting with concern that limited access to certain areas of Afghanistan and inadequate conditions for the delivery of aid threaten the well-being of internally displaced persons and vulnerable sections of the civilian population, Recognizing that a secure environment is necessary for the safe and effective delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance and is a precondition for rehabilitation, reconstruction efforts and long-term development, Welcoming the ongoing implementation by the United Nations of the Immediate and Transitional Assistance Programme for the Afghan People 2002 in response to continuing humanitarian needs, Welcoming also the presentation of the National Development Framework and budget by the Transitional Authority as an important coordination concept for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, and in this context welcoming also the introduction of the new Afghan currency, Noting that economic recovery and reconstruction in Afghanistan and the security and improvement of the lives of the Afghan people are interrelated, Reiterating the importance of a seamless connection between humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and welcoming the important contribution that the integrated approach of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has made in this regard, Expressing its appreciation to the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral for Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan for their continued efforts in coordinating, planning and implementing humanitarian and other assistance in cooperation with the Transitional Authority, _______________ 4 See CD/1478. 5