The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 44/58 of 8 December 1989, in particular paragraph 4 thereof, and taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 1992/25 of 30 July 1992,
Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on the status and role of cooperatives in the light of new economic and social trends,
Recognizing the importance of the policy-oriented research being undertaken by the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat concerning the relevance of cooperatives to the achievement of the social policy objectives set forth in the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future, in the execution of which it acts as a focal point within the United Nations system,
Bearing in mind that 1995 will mark the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance,
Taking note with satisfaction of the important recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General directed towards ensuring the best possible means of dealing with the issue of cooperatives in the light of their broad significance in contributing to the solution of major economic and social problems,
Welcoming the recommendation contained in paragraph 4 (a) of the report of the Secretary-General, and bearing in mind the substantial support shown by Governments and by the international cooperative movement for the idea of observing an international day of cooperatives,
Expressing its appreciation to government agencies, national organizations representing cooperatives, the specialized agencies and other organizations, especially the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives, for their valuable contribution,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the status and role of cooperatives in the light of new economic and social trends;
2. Proclaims the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day of Cooperatives, marking the centenary of the establishment of the International Cooperative Alliance, and decides to consider the possibility of observing an international day of cooperatives in future years;
3. Encourages Governments to consider fully the potential of cooperatives for contributing to the solution of economic, social and environmental problems in formulating national development strategies;
4. Encourages the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat to redouble its efforts of support and coordination in order to achieve the social policy objectives set forth in the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future;
5. Invites government agencies, national organizations representing cooperatives, the specialized agencies and other organizations, especially the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives, to maintain and increase their programmes of support to the international cooperative movement, within existing resources;
6. Also invites, as the Economic and Social Council already did in its resolution 1668 (LII) of 1 June 1972, the specialized agencies that have a substantial interest in cooperatives, especially the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and other organizations, particularly the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, as well as other relevant international organizations of cooperatives that are not yet members of the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives, to become members at an early date in order to ensure its effectiveness by their contribution of appropriate resources;
7. Requests the Secretary-General, within existing resources, to maintain and increase the support provided by the United Nations to the programmes and objectives of the international cooperative movement, and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session on the status and role of cooperatives in the light of new economic and social trends, indicating in his report the progress made towards that goal.
89th plenary meeting
16 December 1992
