29 May 1985

23rd plenary meeting

Social aspects of development

The Economic and Social Council,

Mindful of the resolve enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom and for these ends to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

Bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,

Recalling the Declaration on Social Progress and Development,

Recalling also the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States,

Aware that the attainment of the goals of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade calls for a concerted effort to promote genuine social development,

Convinced that men and women can achieve complete fulfilment of their aspirations only within a just social and political order and that it is consequently of cardinal importance to accelerate social and economic progress and the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms everywhere, thus contributing to international peace and security,

Persuaded that social development can be promoted by friendly relations and co-operation among States with different social, economic or political systems, as well as effective arms reduction and disarmament measures,

Aware that mounting economic problems in various parts of the world, unprecedented in the history of the United Nations, negatively affect and diminish the status of social development policies,

1. Recognizes the significance of social aspects of development and the constant need to elaborate their national and international dimensions;

2. Calls upon all Governments and all institutions, both national and international, to intensify their organizational, intellectual and financial efforts with a view to promoting the social aspects of development;

3. Decides to include the question of the social aspects of development in the provisional agenda for the thirtieth session of the Commission for Social Development.