The resolution recognised the importance of natural resources for the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged international financial institutions and organisations to establish structures to control resource exploitation. The relationship between the illegal plundering of natural resources and the continuation of the conflict warranted further investigation, and therefore the Secretary-General Kofi Annan was requested to give an investigative panel a six-month mandate to further examine the issue and make recommendations.[6] Individuals, companies and countries were invited to respond to the previous investigative report by 31 March 2003 and for the reactions to be published upon request.