26 July 1984

Meeting 49

International co-operation in the field of human settlements

A Report of the Commission on Human Settlements

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolutions 3201(S-VI) and 3202(S-VI) of 1 May 1974, containing the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, 3281(XXIX) of 12 December 1974, containing the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, and 3362(S-VII) of 16 September 1975 on development and international economic co-operation,

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 32/162 of 19 December 1977 on institutional arrangements for international co-operation in the field of human settlements and 34/116 of 14 December 1979 on the strengthening of human settlements activities,

Reaffirming its belief that access to decent shelter is a basic human need and entitlement,

Reaffirming also its conviction that human settlements activities can play a major role in national economic and social development, particularly in the developing countries,

Recognizing the need for greater co-ordination and co-operation in the field of human settlements, as noted in the report of the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination on the work of its twenty-fourth session,

Taking note of Commission on Human Settlements resolution 7/4 of 10 May 1984, concerning the participation of youth in the solution of housing problems under conditions of lasting peace and security,

Having considered the report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the work of its seventh session,

1. Takes note of the report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the work of its seventh session and the resolutions and decision contained therein;

2. Takes note in particular of Commission on Human Settlements resolution 7/5 of 9 May 1984 on the question of a biennial cycle of sessions for the Commission, and again requests the Commission, pursuant to General Assembly decision 38/429 of 19 December 1983 and Economic and Social Council decision 1984/104 of 10 February 1984, to consider adopting a biennial cycle of sessions;

3. Encourages the Commission on Human Settlements to continue to contribute to the efforts of the developing countries in the development of human settlements;

4. Recommends to the General Assembly, for consideration and action at its thirty-ninth session, the resolutions adopted by the Commission at its seventh session which require action by the Assembly;

5. Urges the Commission on Human Settlements to continue to take account of and to provide adequate support for technical co-operation among developing countries in the formulation and implementation of its programmes on human settlements;

6. Supports the efforts of the Commission on Human Settlements and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) to achieve greater harmonization and co-ordination of human settlements activities in the United Nations system, as envisaged by the General Assembly in resolutions 32/162 of 19 December 1977, 35/77C of 5 December 1980 and 37/223C of 20 December 1982, and the recommendations related to the cross-organizational programme analysis of the activities of the United Nations system in human settlements made by the Committee for Programme and Co-ordination at its twenty-fourth session.

B International Year of Shelter for the Homeless

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1981/69B of 24 July 1981, in which it noted the recommendation of the Commission on Human Settlements and recommended to the General Assembly that it should proclaim the year 1987 International Year of Shelter for the Homeless,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 37/221 of 20 December 1982, in which the Assembly proclaimed the year 1987 International Year of Shelter for the Homeless,

Noting with great appreciation the strong support which the proclamation of an International Year of Shelter for the Homeless has received from Governments and from intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations throughout the world, as evidenced by the fact that more than one hundred countries have already designated national focal points for the Year,

Convinced that, in the implementation of strategies, programmes and projects for the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, all possible means of co-operation--bilateral, multilateral and multi-bilateral--between and among international agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations should be utilized to the full,

Having considered the conclusions and recommendations of the Commission on Human Settlements contained in its resolution 7/1 of 10 May 1984,

1. Welcomes the conclusions and recommendations of the Commission on Human Settlements contained in its resolution 7/1;

2. Recommends the General Assembly to adopt, at its thirty-ninth session, the draft resolution recommended for adoption by the Assembly in Commission on Human Settlements resolution 7/1;

3. Expresses its appreciation to those Governments and other institutions that have made pledges of voluntary contributions to the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, noting that more than 80 per cent of the amount of such pledges to date has come from developing countries;

4. Again urges those Governments that have not yet done so to announce their voluntary contributions as soon as possible and appeals to those that have already made pledges to consider increasing, if possible, the amount of such pledges;

5. Requests United Nations agencies and organizations, including the regional commissions, bilateral and multilateral financing institutions and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned to review their policies and programmes with a view to incorporating in their activities the objectives of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.