26 May 1983

Interrelationship of social and economic development policies

The Economic and Social Council,

Considering paragraph 42 of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade, contained in the annex to General Assembly resolution 35/56 of 5 December 1980, according to which development is an integral process, embodying both economic and social objectives, and the national development plans and targets of the developing countries should be formulated on the basis of a unified approach to economic and social development,

Taking note of paragraph 8 of the International Development Strategy, according to which the ultimate aim of development is the constant improvement of the well-being of the entire population on the basis of its full participation in the process of development and a fair distribution of the benefits therefrom,

Taking note also of the preliminary conclusions of a project on income distribution,

1. Resolves to urge that high priority should be given to analysing the interrelationship of social and economic policies;

2. Calls upon Governments, when they prepare their national development plans, to have as their main objective the improvement of the quality of life and social conditions of the population, within the context of a unified approach to development;

3. Recommends that the Secretary-General should continue to carry out studies and research with a view to arriving at solutions, especially as regards the distribution of income, employment and other basic social problems;

4. Further recommends that the Secretary-General should carry out studies and research with a view to extending present knowledge of the interrelationships between economic and social problems;

5. Urges that the United Nations should co-operate with countries with a view to elaborating plans based on a unified approach to development;

6. Calls upon Member States, in view of the serious economic situation being faced, in particular, by the developing countries, which is also characterized by an increase in the cost of living, to take precautions with respect to the situation of low-income groups;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the conclusions of the project on income distribution, including those relating to the adverse effects of the world economic crisis on the level and distribution of income in developing countries;

8. Further requests that all future reports on social aspects of development, especially the report on the world social situation, while pursuing a critical analysis of the issues of social problems, should place special emphasis on the interrelationships between economic and social problems.