27 May 1988

16th plenary meeting

Achievement of social justice

The Economic and Social Council,

Mindful of the pledge of States Members of the United Nations in the Charter to take joint and separate action to promote higher standards of living, full employment and conditions of economic and social progress and development,

Bearing in mind that, in accordance with the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, social progress and development shall be founded on respect for the dignity and value of the human person and shall ensure the promotion of human rights and social justice,

Convinced that more extensive regional and interregional co-operation is important in strengthening national efforts to promote social progress,

Mindful of the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future,

Persuaded of the importance of taking measures to ensure co-ordination within the United Nations system in order to develop a comprehensive approach to developmental social welfare, including better integrated and mutually supportive economic and social development policies, aimed at the achievement of social justice,

1. Considers that the common purpose of the international community must be to create from varied economic, social and political conditions a global environment conducive to sustained development, the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and social justice and peace;

2. Recognizes that social justice is one of the most important goals of social progress;

3. Reaffirms the importance of co-operation among countries in promoting a climate conducive to the achievement by individual countries of the goals of development and social justice and progress;

4. Considers that such co-operation should continue to be a major focus of the activities of the United Nations and its bodies in accordance with the principles of the Charter;

5. Recommends that the Commission for Social Development and other relevant United Nations bodies and specialized agencies take into account the necessity of achieving social justice for all when considering problems of social development.