International Year for the Eradication of Poverty, G.A. res. 48/183, 48 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 162, U.N. Doc. A/48/49 (1993).


The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992 entitled "Observance of an international day 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 and 47/197 of 22 December 1992 related to international cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries,

Recognizing that poverty is a complex and multidimensional problem with origins in both the national and international domains, and that its eradication in all countries, in particular in developing countries, has become one of the priority development objectives for the 1990s in order to promote sustainable development,

Noting that the efforts made at the national and international levels need to be enhanced to ensure the eradication of poverty, in particular in the least developed countries, the countries in sub-Saharan Africa and other countries which have areas of concentrated poverty,

Welcoming the success achieved in organizing and observing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty,

Taking into account its decision 35/424 of 5 December 1980 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980 on guidelines for international years and anniversaries,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General,

Stressing the positive impact of a favourable international economic environment, in particular in the area of trade, on combating poverty in all countries, especially in developing countries,

Stressing also the importance of international cooperation in combating poverty through, inter alia, exchange among Governments that have had successful experiences in the field,

1. Proclaims 1996 International Year for the Eradication of Poverty;

2. Decides that the major activities for the observance of the Year should be undertaken at the local, national and international 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 that the eradication of poverty is fundamental to reinforcing peace and achieving sustainable development;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with States, the specialized agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, to prepare a draft programme on the preparations for and observance of the Year, setting out the objectives, principles and main recommendations for the Year, and to submit a progress report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to give widespread publicity to the activities of the United Nations system, including those described in chapter 3 of Agenda 21, related to the eradication of poverty;

5. Invites all States, organizations of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations concerned and interested national organizations, including non-governmental organizations to exert every possible effort in the preparations for and observance of the Year and to cooperate with the Secretary-General in achieving the objectives of the Year;

6. Designates the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the Secretariat as the preparatory body, and the Economic and Social Council as the coordinating body, for the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty;

7. Recommends that the preparatory body and the coordinating body work in close collaboration with all relevant organizations inside and outside the United Nations system in the preparations for and observance of the Year;

8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth session, under the item entitled "International cooperation for the eradication of poverty in developing countries", a sub-item on the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.

86th plenary meeting
21 December 1993