24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

Critical social situation in Africa

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 2542 (XXIV) of 11 December 1969 on the Declaration on Social Progress and Development, which provides the framework for international co-operation in the field of social development,

Recalling also General Assembly resolutions 39/29 of 3 December 1984 and 40/40 of 2 December 1985, which led to the convening of the thirteenth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to the critical economic situation in Africa, at which the Assembly adopted by consensus resolution S-13/2 of 1 June 1986 containing the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990,

Alarmed at the acceleration in the deterioration of social conditions in most African countries,

Noting with concern the gravity of the situation in the southern part of Africa due to the continued policy of apartheid of the racist regime of South Africa,

Noting that in Africa's Priority Programme for Economic Recovery 1986-1990, the Governments of African States reaffirmed their primary responsibility for the economic and social development of their countries, identified areas for priority action, and undertook to mobilize and utilize domestic resources for the achievement of their priority objectives,

Emphasizing that the African social and economic crisis is a development crisis that concerns the international community as a whole and that greater realization of the rich physical and human potential of the continent is an integral part of a common strategy to promote the economic and social advancement of all peoples,

Recognizing the efforts being made by African Governments to redress some of the acute social problems confronting the African continent,

Noting that the prospects for concerted implementation of Africa's Priority Programme for Economic Recovery 1986-1990 are being affected by an unfavourable external economic environment, debt-servicing obligations and the rate of flow of development finance, particularly that of a concessionary nature,

1. Takes note of the 1989 report on the world social situation, including the annex thereto on the critical social situation in Africa;

2. Appeals to the international community, the States members of the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to increase their co-operation and assistance to enhance the efforts made by the African countries to establish or improve their infrastructure, through the creation of a favourable economic environment;

3. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Organization of African Unity, the Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, to prepare a report providing an in-depth evaluation of the critical social situation in Africa, paying particular attention to the obstacles to the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development 1986-1990, including the impact of structural adjustment policies on the social situation in Africa, for submission to the Commission for Social Development at its thirty-second session;

4. Decides that at its thirty-second session the Commission should consider the report requested in paragraph 3 above in the context of its review of the world social situation.