A/RES/54/118 Page 3 Reaffirming that firm and lasting peace and democracy in Central America are a dynamic and ongoing process that faces serious structural challenges, whose continuation and consolidation are closely related to progress in human development, especially the alleviation of extreme poverty, the promotion of economic and social justice, judicial reform, the safeguarding of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for minorities and the satisfaction of the basic needs of the most vulnerable groups among the peoples of the region, issues which have been a primary source of tension and conflict and which deserve to be discussed with the same urgency and dedication as was the case in the settlement of armed conflicts, Deeply concerned by the devastating effects of hurricane Mitch and other natural disasters on the population and economies of the region’s countries and by the possible consequences of a significant setback as regards the efforts of the Central American peoples and the international community to overcome the aftermath of the armed conflicts and as regards the progress made with respect to political stability, democratization and sustainable development, Emphasizing the solidarity of the international community with the victims of hurricane Mitch, as demonstrated by friendly States’ generous response to the emergency situation and in particular by the meetings of the Consultative Group for the Reconstruction and Transformation of Central America, held in Washington, D.C., in December 1998 and in Stockholm in May 1998, resulting in the Stockholm Declaration,4 in which the objectives and principles of reconstruction and transformation were established, and of which five countries agreed to initiate the follow-up process, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General;5 2. Commends the efforts of the peoples and the Governments of the Central American countries to re-establish peace and democracy throughout the region and promote sustainable development by implementing the commitments adopted at the summit meetings, and supports the decision of the presidents that Central America should become a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development; 3. Recognizes the need to continue to follow closely the situation in Central America according to the objectives and principles established in the Stockholm Declaration4 in order to support national and regional efforts to overcome the underlying causes that have led to armed conflicts, avoid setbacks and consolidate peace and democratization in the area and promote the objectives of the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America,2 especially in the transitional period for overcoming the devastating effects of hurricane Mitch and other natural disasters, which entail extraordinary efforts for the reconstruction and transformation of the worst affected countries in the region, in particular Honduras and Nicaragua; 4. Emphasizes the importance of the global frame of reference and the establishment of national and regional development priorities as the basis for promoting the effective, consistent and sustainable progress of the Central American peoples, and for providing international cooperation in accordance with the new circumstances in and outside the region;   6HH ZZZLDGERUJ $  /...