A/RES/72/143 Cooperatives in social development Development”, 1 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, 2 and noting the acknowledgement therein of the role of cooperatives in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and in relation to financing for development, Noting with appreciation the potential role of cooperative development in the improvement of the social and economic conditions of indigenous peoples and rural communities, Welcoming the efforts of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to showcase the role of agricultural cooperatives, including in improving food security and nutrition, particularly in rural areas, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving the agricultural productivity of farmers and facilitating access to markets, savings, credit, insurance and technology, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 3 2. Notes with appreciation the celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives, in 2012; 3. Encourages all Member States, as well as the United Nations and all other relevant stakeholders, to share best practices identified through activities implemented during the International Year of Cooperatives and to continue those activities, as appropriate; 4. Recalls the draft plan of action on cooperatives for 2012 and beyond, based on the outcome document of the expert group meeting held in Ulaanb aatar in 2011 for the promotion of cooperatives for sustainable socioeconomic development, to promote focused and effective follow-up to the activities of the International Year, within existing resources; 5. Draws the attention of Governments to the recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General to focus support on cooperatives as sustainable and successful business enterprises that contribute directly to employment generation, poverty and hunger eradication, education, social protectio n and the creation of affordable housing options across a variety of economic sectors in urban and rural areas and to review existing legislation and regulations to make the national legal and regulatory environment more conducive to the creation and growt h of cooperatives by improving existing laws and regulations and/or by establishing new ones, especially in the areas of access to capital, competitiveness and fair taxation; 6. Invites Governments and international organizations, in partnership with cooperatives and cooperative organizations, to strengthen and build the capacity of all forms of cooperatives, especially those run by the poor, young people, women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, so that they can empower people to transform their lives and communities positively and build inclusive societies; 7. Invites Governments to strengthen efforts to enhance food security and nutrition and to focus efforts on smallholders and women farmers, as well as on agricultural cooperatives and farmers’ networks, supported by measures to improve access to markets, enable domestic and international environments and strengthen collaboration across the many initiatives in this area, including regional initiatives; __________________ 1 2 3 2/3 Resolution 70/1. Resolution 69/313, annex. A/72/159. 17-22931