24 May 1990

13th Plenary Meeting

1990/16. International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1989/43 of 24 May 1989, in which it took note of the report of the Board of Trustees of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women on its ninth session,

Recalling also General Assembly resolution 44/60 of 8 December 1989, in which the Assembly took note of the report of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women on its activities,

Having considered the report of the Board of Trustees of the Institute on its tenth session,

Recognizing the significance of the global role of the Institute as the international research and training body for the advancement of women, which provides direction on issues related to women and development,

1. Takes note with satisfaction of the report of the Board of Trustees of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women on its tenth session and the decisions contained therein;

2. Expresses its appreciation of the successful implementation of the programmes of the Institute, particularly the activities on statistics and indicators on women, including women's role in the informal sector, the first phase of the long-term research programme on monitoring and evaluation methodologies for development programmes related to women and its work on sectoral issues, especially water supply and sanitation, new and renewable sources of energy and communication for women and development;

3. Takes note of the programme of activities of the Institute for the biennium 1990-1991, approved by the Board of Trustees at its tenth session, and the commencement of work on methodological approaches to women, the environment and sustainable development;

4. Commends the Institute for further strengthening its network mode of operation, including increased co-operation between the Institute and the regional commissions, and for giving priority to the programming of parallel activities;

5. Expresses its profound satisfaction that on the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Institute, it has proved itself to be an invaluable body of the United Nations in fulfilling the requirements of the Charter of the United Nations by promoting social progress through a reaffirmation of the equal rights of women and men and by furthering economic and social advancement;

6. Reaffirms that the Institute will continue its dual approach as an agent for sensitization on the role of women in the mainstream of development, and as a centre for specialized research, training and information, and for co-operation with other organizations with parallel interests within and outside the United Nations system;

7. Recommends that, given the growing role of research, training and information on women and development within and outside the United Nations system, the Institute continue to work on new methodological approaches in these fields;

8. Expresses its appreciation, on the tenth anniversary of the Institute, to those Member States, both developed and developing, that have contributed to the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women thereby ensuring the establishment, continuity and expansion of the Institute's work, the support of the host country and the Secretary-General, and the collaboration of co-operating bodies within and outside the United Nations system with the activities of the Institute;

9. Renews its appeal to Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and other potential donors to continue contributing and, to the extent possible, to increase their contributions to the United Nations Trust Fund for the Institute.