A/RES/62/200 museums and other relevant means, stimulating a long-term increase in student enrolment in the fields of science and technology, and supporting scientific literacy, 1. Decides to declare 2009 the International Year of Astronomy; 2. Designates the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as the lead agency and focal point for the Year, and invites it to organize, in this capacity, activities to be realized during the Year, in collaboration with other relevant entities of the United Nations system, the International Astronomical Union, the European Southern Observatory and astronomical societies and groups throughout the world, and, in this regard, notes that the activities of the Year will be funded from voluntary contributions, including from the private sector; Encourages all Member States, 3. actors to take advantage of the Year to increasing awareness among the public of and promoting widespread access to astronomical observation. the United Nations system and all other promote actions at all levels aimed at the importance of astronomical sciences new knowledge and experiences of 78th plenary meeting 19 December 2007 2