A/RES/71/162
Implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development
and of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly
10. Notes with appreciation the adoption of Agenda 2063 by the Assembly of
Heads of State and Government of the African Union at its twenty -fourth ordinary
session, held in Addis Ababa on 30 and 31 January 2015, as the African Union longterm strategy emphasizing industrialization, youth employment, improved natural
resource governance and the reduction of inequalities;
11. Acknowledges that the first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of
Poverty (1997–2006), launched after the World Summit for Social Development,
provided the long-term vision for sustained and concerted efforts at the national and
international levels to eradicate poverty;
12. Recognizes that the implementation of the commitments made by
Governments during the first Decade fell short of expectations, and recalls the
proclamation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
(2008–2017) by the General Assembly in its resolution 62/205 of 19 December 2007
in order to support, in an efficient and coordinated manner, the internationally
agreed development goals related to poverty eradication, which include the
Sustainable Development Goals;
13. Emphasizes that poverty eradication policies should tackle poverty by
addressing its root and structural causes and manifestations, and that equity,
inclusivity, the reduction of inequalities and the empowerment of the poor need to
be incorporated into those policies;
14. Reaffirms that each country has the primary responsibility for its own
economic and social development and that the role of national policies and
development strategies cannot be overemphasized, and underlines the importance of
adopting effective measures, including new financial mechanisms, as appropriate, to
support the efforts of developing countries to achieve sustained economic growth,
sustainable development, poverty eradication and the strengthening of their
democratic systems;
15. Stresses the importance of the policy space and leadership of national
Governments for implementing policies for poverty eradication and sustainable
development, while remaining consistent with relevant international rules and
commitments, in particular in the areas of social expenditure and social protection
programmes, and calls upon international financial institutions and donors to
support developing countries in achieving their social development, in line with
their national priorities and strategies by, among other things, providing debt relief
within the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development;
16. Also stresses that an enabling environment is a critical precondition for
achieving equity and social development and that, while economic growth is
essential, entrenched inequality and marginalization are an obstacle to the broad based and sustained growth required for sustainable, inclusive and people -centred
development, and recognizes the need to balance and ensure complem entarity
between measures to achieve growth and measures to achieve economic and social
equity and inclusion in order for there to be an impact on overall poverty levels;
17. Further stresses that stability in global financial systems and corporate
social responsibility and accountability, as well as national economic policies that
have an impact on other stakeholders, are essential in creating an enabling
international environment to promote economic growth and social development;
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