Plan International - Girls' Rights Platform - Girls' rights are human rights: Positioning girls at the heart of the international agenda

United Nations General Assembly A/RES/58/221 Distr.: General 19 February 2004 Fifty-eighth session Agenda item 98 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 December 2003 [on the report of the Second Committee (A/58/488)] 58/221. Programme of Action for the International Year of Microcredit, 2005 The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 53/197 of 15 December 1998, by which it proclaimed 2005 the International Year of Microcredit and requested that the observance of the Year be a special occasion for giving impetus to microcredit programmes in all countries, particularly the developing countries, Recalling also its resolution 52/194 of 18 December 1997, in which it emphasized the role of microcredit and microfinance as an important anti-poverty tool that promotes asset creation, employment and economic security and empowers people living in poverty, especially women, Stressing that people living in poverty in rural and urban areas need access to microcredit and microfinance that enhance their ability to increase income, build assets and mitigate vulnerability in times of hardship, Bearing in mind the importance of microfinance instruments such as credit, savings and related business services in providing access to capital for people living in poverty, Recognizing the need to facilitate the access of people living in poverty, especially women, to microcredit and microfinance to enable them to undertake microenterprises so as to generate self-employment and contribute to achieving empowerment, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General containing the draft 1. programme of action for the International Year of Microcredit, 2005; 1 2. Emphasizes that the observance of 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit will provide a significant opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of microcredit and microfinance in the eradication of poverty, to share good practices and to further enhance financial sector developments that support sustainable pro-poor financial services in all countries; _______________ 1 03 50778 A/58/179.