A/RES/63/153 United Nations Distr.: General 11 February 2009 General Assembly Sixty-third session Agenda item 55 (b) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2008 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/63/424)] 63/153. Follow-up to the implementation of the International Year of Volunteers The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 60/134 of 16 December 2005 on the follow-up to the International Year of Volunteers, Noting that the momentum created by the International Year has contributed to the vibrancy of volunteerism globally with the involvement of more people, from a broader cross-section of societies, Recognizing that volunteerism is an important component of any strategy aimed at, inter alia, such areas as poverty reduction, sustainable development, health, disaster prevention and management and social integration and, in particular, overcoming social exclusion and discrimination, Recognizing also that volunteerism makes significant contributions to development and that appropriate policies are needed to ensure that this potential is realized, Acknowledging the existing contribution of the organizations of the United Nations system to supporting volunteering, especially the work of the United Nations Volunteers programme around the world, and acknowledging also the efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to promote volunteerism throughout its global network, Bearing in mind the need for an integrated and coordinated follow-up to the International Year to be pursued in the relevant parts of the United Nations system, 1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General; 1 0F 2. Reaffirms the need to recognize and promote all forms of volunteerism as an issue that involves and benefits all segments of society, including women, children, young persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, minorities, migrants and those who remain excluded for social or economic reasons; _______________ 1 08-47997 A/63/184.