Human resources development A/RES/70/220 multiplier effect, in particular on productivity, efficiency and sustained economic growth, in all sectors of the economy, especially in key areas such as agriculture, industry and services, Recognizing that education is the key to promoting the development of human potential, equality and understanding among peoples, as well as to sustaining economic growth and eradicating poverty, and recognizing also that, to achieve those ends, it is essential that quality education be available to all, including indigenous peoples, girls and women, rural inhabitants and persons with disabilities, Stressing that Governments have the primary responsibility for defining and implementing appropriate policies for human resources development, and the need for continued support from the international community for the national efforts of developing countries, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General; 1 2. Calls upon Member States to place human resources development at the core of economic and social development and to develop short -, medium- and longterm strategies to effectively enhance their human resources capacities, as educated, skilled, healthy, capable, productive and flexible workf orces are the foundation for achieving sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and development; 3. Stresses the need for Member States to emphasize and integrate human resources development into national development strategies, including national development policies and strategies to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, in order to address structural and multidimensional challenges to enhancing national productive capacities and to ensure that human resources development implications are taken into account by all national development stakeholders; 4. Recognizes that comprehensive approaches to human resources development that address poverty eradication and the creation of a skilled workforce are also critical in reducing unemployment and brain drain and in promoting greater social inclusion; 5. Encourages Member States to adopt and implement comprehensive human resources development strategies premised on national development objectives that ensure a strong link between education, training and employment, help to maintain a productive and competitive workforce and are responsive to the needs of the economy; 6. Stresses that human resources development policies should focus on supporting the emergence of a sufficiently wide and flexible pool of skilled human resources, especially among women and youth, to support all sectors of the e conomy and be matched with present and future workforce needs, which requires well sequenced investments in basic education, vocational training, on -the-job training and more advanced managerial, engineering and scientific education to increase the supply of technological knowledge that can be absorbed by national innovation systems; 7. Emphasizes the need for Member States to adopt cross-sectoral approaches and mechanisms to identify human resources development needs in the _______________ 1 A/70/293. 3/6