CM/Res.980 (XLI) RESOLUTION ON DEVELOPMENT OF CARTOGRAPHY IN AFRICA
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity meeting in its Forty- first Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 25 February to 4 March 1985,
Having heard the report of the Secretary-General of the African Cartography Association (ACA) on the condition of African Cartography its impact on economic development and its repercussions on the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action,
Considering the scientific, technical and economic importance of Cartography in general and, in particular, a harmonized geodesic network for all African countries,
Noting with satisfaction the progress made so far as a result of efforts made by several African and non-African countries as well as regional and international organizations:
COMMENDS the Secretary-General of the African Cartography Association on the excellent work accomplished;
CALLS UPON the OAU to sponsor the work of the ACA so as to ensure the success of the continental geodesic network and to obtain the support of all African countries for this essentially scientific operation;
FURTHER CALLS UPON the OAU to co-operate with ACA in close collaboration with the ECA and Regional Organizations for the holding of a meeting of a select group of African experts, which will examine the state of African Cartography and propose the basis for its development for the implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action;
INVITES the African countries to support national cartography services, include them among national priorities and vote sufficient operational budget for them in accordance with the recommendation contained in Chapter III para 87 (i) of the Lagos Plan of Action;
FINALLY CALLS UPON the OAU in co-operation with the ECA to continue to monitor African Cartographic activities and lend the necessary support to the ACA programmes;
EXPRESSES ITS THANKS to all non-African countries, regional, international, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations which have indicated to the OAU and the ACA their intention to participate in the execution of the IHPCA in conformity with the guidelines laid down in the preliminary study;
CALLS UPON the OAU and the ACA to:
Collaborate with non-African institutions and international organizations to collect the available data necessary for the implementation of the IHPCA;
Intensify their efforts, in collaboration with African countries, in order to introduce IHPCA to the decision-making bodies of international organizations, of the Arab League and non-African Institutions so as to obtain the financial and technical assistance necessary for its implementation;
REQUESTS the Secretary-General to include the IHPCA in the Agenda of the next Economic Summit Conference.