27 July 1993

43rd plenary meeting

International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1992/21 of 30 July 1992, 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 twelfth session,

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

Recognizing the important role that the Institute could play in the substantive preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace,

Also recognizing the equally important contributions that the Institute could make in its area of expertise to activities related to the International Year of the Family, the International Conference on Population and Development and the World Summit for Social Development,

Reaffirming the continuing need for independent research and related training activities for the advancement of women and the role of the Institute therein,

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 thirteenth session and the decisions contained therein;

2. Commends the Institute for activities carried out that contribute to mainstreaming women's issues in development strategies and the appraisal of the contribution of women to social and economic development, particularly in relation to the informal sector;

3. Expresses its appreciation of the fact that the Institute maintains and seeks ways to strengthen its mode of operation, for example, by networking, particularly with the regional commissions and the focal points of the Institute, thereby ensuring effective outreach and coordination in order to empower women and strengthen their position at the national and regional levels;

4. Requests the Institute to assist in the substantive preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, given its essential role in research, training and statistical expertise;

5. Further requests the Institute to contribute, within its area of expertise, to the activities relevant to the International Year of the Family, to be observed in 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development, to be held at Cairo in 1994, and the World Summit for Social Development, to be held at Copenhagen in 1995;

6. Reiterates the importance of maintaining the level of resources devoted to independent research and related training activities, which are crucial for the situation of women;

7. Calls upon States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to contribute, through voluntary contributions and pledges, to the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, thus enabling the Institute to continue to respond effectively to its mandate.