Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 88 (h)
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 48/183 of 21 December 1993 proclaiming
1996 International Year for the Eradication of Poverty,
Reaffirming its resolutions 43/195 of 20 December 1988,
44/212 of 22 December 1989, 45/213 of 21 December 1990, 46/141
of 17 December 1991, 47/197 of 22 December 1992 and 48/184 of
21 December 1993 related to international cooperation for the
eradication of poverty in developing countries,
Recalling also its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992
entitled "Observance of an international day for the eradication
of poverty",
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the
International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, A/49/572.
Recognizing that although poverty exists in all countries,
its impact is most severe and widespread in the developing countries
and on the vulnerable groups of society,
Aware of the need for a better understanding of the causes
and consequences of poverty,
Recognizing that the eradication of poverty and the full
achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives and
strategies are interrelated goals,
Recognizing also the central role that women play in the
eradication of poverty,
Stressing the importance of national strategies and policies
for, and of the coordination of international cooperation in,
combating poverty and of the exchange among countries of successful
experiences in the field,
Recognizing that the grave suffering of the great majority
of human beings who live in conditions of poverty demands the
immediate attention of the international community and the adoption
of concrete actions and measures towards the eradication of poverty
within the framework of relevant forthcoming United Nations conferences,
particularly the World Summit for Social Development, and within
the context of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty,
1. Reaffirms that the major activities for the observance
of the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty should
be undertaken at all levels and that assistance should be provided
by the United Nations system with a view to creating among States,
policy makers and international public opinion a greater awareness
of the fact that the eradication of poverty is both a complex
and a multidimensional problem and fundamental to reinforcing
peace and achieving sustainable development;
2. Notes with appreciation the importance that the forthcoming
World Summit for Social Development is going to place on the issue
of poverty eradication;
3. Stresses that an in-depth and complete study of the
nature, the causes and the consequences of all types of poverty
in developing countries which affect mankind is necessary within
the framework of the Year, building on the results of the World
Summit for Social Development;
4. Requests the Secretary-General through the secretariat
of the World Summit for Social Development, the United Nations
Research Institute for Social Development and the United Nations
University to give appropriate consideration, in directing their
research and studies of all types of poverty, to the experiences
of the poor themselves and so contribute to a better understanding
of their situation;
5. Also requests the Secretary-General, in consultation
with all States, concerned specialized agencies, programmes and
organs of the United Nations system, relevant international organizations,
non-governmental organizations and interested groups, to achieve
at an early date the elaboration of the draft programme concerning
the preparations for and observance of the Year, containing the
objectives, principles, themes and main recommendations for the
Year, which should be consistent with the challenge of poverty
and the declaration and the programme of action of the World Summit
for Social Development, and to submit a final report thereon to
the General Assembly for consideration at its fiftieth session,
with the aim of ensuring that the Year makes a distinct and significant
contribution to the efforts to eradicate poverty;
6. Requests that the preparatory body for the Year choose
a logo for the Year, in consultation with all countries and relevant
groups, and requests that the designers of the logo chosen be
awarded a symbolic prize at the ceremony marking the launching
of the Year;
7. Further requests the Secretary-General to organize in
December 1995, during the fiftieth session of the General Assembly,
the ceremony marking the launching of the International Year for
the Eradication of Poverty;
8. Invites all States, organizations of the United Nations
system, relevant international organizations, concerned national
organizations, non-governmental organizations and interested groups
to give the necessary attention to the preparations for and observance
of the Year;
9. Decides to consider at its fiftieth session the preparations
for the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty under
the sub-item entitled "International cooperation for the
eradication of poverty in developing countries".
92nd plenary meeting
19 December 1994