28 May 1987

17th plenary meeting

Use of science and technology in the interest of social and economic development

The Economic and Social Council,

Noting that scientific and technological progress is an important factor in the social and economic development of human society,

Reaffirming the objectives of the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 2542 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969, by which States are called upon to aim for an equitable sharing of scientific and technological advances by developed and developing countries and a steady increase in the use of science and technology for the benefit of the social development of society, as well as the intensification of international co-operation in this field,

Reaffirming also the provisions of the Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace and for the Benefit of Mankind, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3384 (XXX) of 10 November 1975, by which all States are called upon to promote international co-operation to ensure that the results of scientific and technological developments are used in the interests of strengthening international peace and security, freedom and independence, and also for the purpose of the economic and social development of peoples and the realization of human rights and freedoms in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,

Considering that the implementation of the above-mentioned declarations will contribute towards promoting the social and economic development of peoples and international co-operation in the interest of scientific and technological progress and towards strengthening peace,

Emphasizing that international co-operation of States for the promotion of scientific and technological progress is in the interest of the social and economic development of all peoples and can contribute to development and the promotion of peace,

Noting that the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and Development is to be held in New York from 24 August to 11 September 1987,

Convinced that, at a time of rapid scientific and technological progress, the resources of humankind and the work of scientists should be used for the peaceful economic, social and cultural development of nations and for the improvement of the living standards of all peoples,

Aware that technical co-operation, including the possibility of transfer of technology, is one of the ways of achieving better social progress in developing countries,

Recalling its resolution 1985/21 of 29 May 1985, in which it specified that the next report on the world social situation should include a more thorough analysis of the impact of new and emerging technologies on socio-economic conditions, particularly in developing countries, and should analyse the progress made in the international diffusion of appropriate technology and application of technology in improving social conditions in developing countries,

1. Calls upon all States to promote co-operation to ensure scientific and technological progress for the welfare of their peoples, and of all humankind, and their social and economic development, and to contribute towards eliminating economic backwardness and grave social problems in the world, such as hunger, illiteracy, homelessness, unemployment and inadequate health protection;

2. Stresses the necessity of using scientific and technological progress for the implementation of the fundamental political, economic, social and cultural human rights in their entirety;

3. Urges all States to make every effort to utilize scientific and technological achievements for the promotion of peaceful social and economic development, and to prevent their misuse to the detriment of peoples;

4. Requests the Commission for Social Development to consider the use of science and technology in the interest of social development in connection with its review of the world social situation.