A/RES/65/193 regional normative framework for the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons, Noting with appreciation the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region, adopted by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region in 2006, 6 and its instruments, in particular two of the protocols to the Pact which are relevant to the protection of displaced persons, namely, the Protocol on the Protection of and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and the Protocol on the Property Rights of Returning Persons, 5F Recognizing that host States have the primary responsibility for the protection of and assistance to refugees on their territory, and the need to redouble efforts to develop and implement comprehensive durable solution strategies, in appropriate cooperation with the international community, and burden- and responsibility-sharing, Emphasizing that States have the primary responsibility to provide protection and assistance to internally displaced persons within their jurisdiction, as well as to address the root causes of the displacement problem in appropriate cooperation with the international community, Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General 7 and the United 1. Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; 8 6F 7F 2. Calls upon African Member States that have not yet signed or ratified the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa5 to consider doing so as early as possible in order to ensure its early entry into force and implementation; 0H 3. Notes the need for African Member States to address resolutely the root causes of all forms of forced displacement in Africa and to foster peace, stability and prosperity throughout the African continent so as to forestall flows of refugees; Notes with great concern that, despite all of the efforts made so far by the 4. United Nations, the African Union and others, the situation of refugees and displaced persons in Africa remains precarious, and calls upon States and other parties to armed conflict to observe scrupulously the letter and spirit of international humanitarian law, bearing in mind that armed conflict is one of the principal causes of forced displacement in Africa; Welcomes decision EX.CL/Dec.558(XVII) on the situation of refugees, 5. returnees and internally displaced persons in Africa, adopted by the Executive Council of the African Union at its seventeenth ordinary session, held in Kampala from 19 to 23 July 2010; 9 8F 6. Expresses its appreciation, in the year which marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, for the leadership shown by the Office, and commends the Office for its ongoing efforts, with the support of the international community, to assist African countries of asylum, including by providing support to vulnerable local host communities, and to respond to the protection and assistance needs of refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa; _______________ 6 Available from www.icglr.org. A/65/324. 8 Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-fifth Session, Supplement No. 12 (A/65/12). 9 See African Union, document EX.CL/Dec.556-599(XVII). Available from www.africa-union.org. 7 2