4' rt v'as aqainst that qeneral backqround that tbe EcA conference of Ministers first put forpard the iriea of a transport and connunications deca.Je in Afriea trv adoDtinq resolution 291 (xIII) at its neetj.nq "i'xin"n""", in Fetruarv 197?. TheA/ 40 /?15 Enqllsh Page 4 resolution reconnend ed that the international connunitv and' in particular' the cor0petent united Nat ions ''t'ott t"t should proclaln a transport and connunications decade in Africa durlng lhe vears 1978-1988 in order to: (a) Give active support to lhe qloLtal strategv for the developrnent of transport and comnunications in Africa and to lhe apotication of the strategy for the purpose of solvinq tn.-priuf"*" of the continent in this field? (b) ttoftillze the technical and financial resourc€s required for this purpose' 5. The resol'utlon ttas Buttsesuentlv endorsed bv the Econonic and social council in its resolution 209? (LxIIIl of ?9 JulY I9?7 an<i by the General Assenbly ' !'hich proclaimetl the Transport and Connunlcations Decade in Africa in resolution 32/L6o' EcA was selected as tne reai "q.ntv ror the inplermntation of resol'ution 32/L60' FinaIIy, oAU endorsed the grogralnlt€ at the Monro;ia sunmit neetinq of Julv 19?9 and It has been subsequently incorporated ln Ehe Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Laqos (see A/5-Il/14. annex r)' 6. For the various resolutions. aPPealB P€re nade for the provision to EcA of the additionalresourcegnecegsarytoenat'leittocarfYoutthelorkentailedin developing the strategy and plans and for the Provision to the African countries of the necessary technical assistance for lnplernenting the Decade proqra ne' Furthernore, the Unlteat Natlons secretary-Gene ra I appealed to the international connunitv at rarqe ao pro.'iu. the necessary flnaneial and technical essistance to the Afr ican count r i es. 7. The implenentation of the progranne for the Decade was divided into two ohases. The first ott"""-tot'"iti tie period r9?9-r983 and the second phase the DeEiod 19 84-19 88.