27 May 1988

16th plenary meeting

United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 37/52 of 3 December l982, by which the Assembly adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, and resolution 37/53 of 3 December l982, by which, inter alia, it proclaimed the period l983-l992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons,

Noting that in accordance with General Assembly resolution 39/26 of 23 November l984, the Global Meeting of Experts to Review the Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons at the Mid-Point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons was held in Stockholm from l7 to 22 August l987,

Reaffirming the validity and value of the World Programme of Action in promoting effective measures for disability prevention, rehabilitation and the full participation and equality of disabled persons in social life and development,

Mindful that Member States bear the ultimate responsibility for the implementation of the World Programme of Action,

Stressing that the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat is the focal point within the United Nations for the implementation and monitoring of the World Programme of Action,

Reiterating the need to give greater publicity to the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, in order to revitalize it,

Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, submitted in response to paragraph 17 of General Assembly resolution 42/58 of 30 November 1987 and containing the preliminary comments of Member States and all relevant organs and bodies of the United Nations system on the recommendations contained in paragraphs l0 to 39 of the report of the Global Meeting of Experts and on the report of the Secretary-General on the evaluation of the implementation of the World Programme of Action,

Noting with regret that owing to the low number of replies to the Secretary-General's request for comments and their late arrival, there were not sufficient data on which to base a list of priorities for planning global activities and programmes for the remainder of the Decade and beyond,

1. Urges all Member States and relevant organs and bodies of the United Nations system that have not yet done so, to submit to the Secretary-General, as soon as possible, their comments in accordance with paragraph 17 of General Assembly resolution 42/58;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its forty-third session a more detailed report and analysis, based on the comments received, so that a list of priorities may be established for planning global activities and programmes for the remainder of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons and beyond;

3. Calls upon Member States, organs and bodies of the United Nations system and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to make all possible efforts in the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and to promote efforts at all levels in the context of the Decade;

4. Reiterates the need to launch a special global awareness and fund-raising campaign to give added momentum to the Decade;

5. Welcomes the appointment by the Secretary-General of the Special Representative for the Promotion of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, whose activities will be financed from special voluntary contributions;

6. Expresses its appreciation to Governments and non-governmental organizations for their voluntary contributions, which have made possible the appointment of the Special Representative;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission for Social Development at its thirty-first session on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons during the second half of the Decade, and requests the Commission to give special attention to the implementation of the World Programme of Action.