A/RES/48/183 Page 2 Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General, 1/ Stressing the positive impact of a favourable international economic environment, in particular in the area of trade, on combating poverty in all countries, especially in developing countries, Stressing also the importance of international cooperation in combating poverty through, inter alia, exchange among Governments that have had successful experiences in the field, 1. Proclaims 1996 International Year for the Eradication of Poverty; 2. Decides that the major activities for the observance of the Year should be undertaken at the local, national and international levels, and that assistance should be provided by the United Nations system with a view to creating among States, policy makers and international public opinion a greater awareness that the eradication of poverty is fundamental to reinforcing peace and achieving sustainable development; 3. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with States, the specialized agencies and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, to prepare a draft programme on the preparations for and observance of the Year, setting out the objectives, principles and main recommendations for the Year, and to submit a progress report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session; 4. Also requests the Secretary-General to give widespread publicity to the activities of the United Nations system, including those described in chapter 3 of Agenda 21, 2/ related to the eradication of poverty; 5. Invites all States, organizations of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations concerned and interested national organizations, including non-governmental organizations to exert every possible effort in the preparations for and observance of the Year and to cooperate with the Secretary-General in achieving the objectives of the Year; 6. Designates the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the Secretariat as the preparatory body, and the Economic and Social Council as the coordinating body, for the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty; 7. Recommends that the preparatory body and the coordinating body work in close collaboration with all relevant organizations inside and outside the United Nations system in the preparations for and observance of the Year; __________ 1/ A/48/545. 2/ See Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992 (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1 (Vol. I and Vol. I/Corr.1, Vol. II, Vol. III and Vol. III/Corr.1)) (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda), vol. I: Resolutions adopted by the Conference, resolution 1, annex II. /...