A/RES/72/198 International cooperation to address and counter the world drug problem 61. Invites Member States to target the illicit cultivation of crops used for the illicit production and manufacture of drugs and address related factors by implementing comprehensive strategies aimed at alleviating poverty and strengthening the rule of law, accountable, effective and inclusive institutions and public services and institutional frameworks, as appropriate, and by promoting sustainable development aimed at enhancing the welfare of the affected and vulnerable population through licit alternatives; 62. Encourages the promotion of inclusive economic growth and support for initiatives that contribute to poverty eradication and t he sustainability of social and economic development, and encourages Member States to develop measures for rural development, improving infrastructure and social inclusion and protection, addressing the consequences of illicit crop cultivation and the manu facture and production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances on the environment, with the incorporation and participation of local communities, and to consider taking voluntary measures to promote products stemming from alternative development, including preventive alternative development, as appropriate, to gain access to markets, consistent with applicable multilateral trade rules and with national and international law, within the framework of comprehensive and balanced drug control strategies; 63. Expresses concern that the illicit cultivation of crops and illicit manufacture, distribution and trafficking remain serious challenges in addressing and countering the world drug problem, and recognizes the need for strengthening sustainable crop control strategies that may include, inter alia, alternative development, eradication and law enforcement measures, for the purpose of preventing and significantly and measurably reducing the illicit cultivation of crops, and the need to intensify joint efforts at the national, regional and international levels in a more comprehensive manner, in accordance with the principle of common and shared responsibility, including by means of appropriate preventive tools and measures, enhanced and better-coordinated financial and technical assistance and action-oriented programmes, in order to tackle those challenges; 64. Invites Member States to consider elaborating and implementing comprehensive and sustainable alternative development programmes, including preventive alternative development, as appropriate, that support sustainable crop control strategies to prevent and significantly, durably and measurably reduce illicit crop cultivation and other illicit drug-related activities, ensuring the empowerment, ownership and responsibility of affected local communities, including farmers and their cooperatives, by taking into account the vulnerabilities and specific needs of communities affected by or at risk of illicit cultivation, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Labour Organization, the United Nations Development Programme and other relevant international organizations, bearing in mind national and regional development policies and action plans, with a view to contributing to the building of peaceful, inclusive and just societies, consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals and in compliance with relevant and applicable international and national law; 65. Also invites Member States to strengthen subregional, regional and international cooperation to support comprehensive and sustainable alternative development programmes, including, as appropriate, preventive alternative development, as an essential part of successful prevention and crop control strategies to increase the positive outcome of such programmes, especially in the areas affected by and at risk of illicit cultivation of crops used for the production of narcotic drugs 14/21 17-23200