A/RES/53/155
Page 2
Expressing its concern that, on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights,1 the unacceptable situation of absolute poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter,
illiteracy and hopelessness remains the lot of over one billion people,
Reaffirming the commitment contained in the Charter of the United Nations to promote social progress
and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Mindful that the Commission on Human Rights continues to consider this matter and, by its resolution
1998/72 of 22 April 1998,2 established a follow-up mechanism, initially for a period of three years,
Noting the need for coordination and cooperation throughout the United Nations system for the more
effective promotion and realization of the right to development,
Recognizing that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has an
important role to play in the promotion, protection and realization of the right to development, including
through enhanced cooperation with the relevant bodies of the United Nations system for this purpose,
Reaffirming that lasting progress towards the implementation of the right to development requires
effective development policies at the national level, as well as equitable economic relations and a favourable
economic environment at the international level,
Recognizing that the implementation of the Declaration on the Right to Development3 requires effective
development policies and support at the international level through the effective contribution of States, organs
and organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations active in this field,
Emphasizing that full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms is necessary for lasting
progress towards the realization of the right to development,
Reaffirming the need for action by all States at the national and international levels for the realization of
all human rights and the need for relevant evaluation mechanisms to ensure the promotion of the Declaration
on the Right to Development,
Expressing its concern that, more than ten years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Right to
Development, and while noting that new challenges and opportunities for development have emerged in an
increasingly globalized world, obstacles to the realization of the right to development still persist at both the
national and the international levels, that new obstacles to the rights stated therein have emerged and that the
progress made in removing these obstacles remains precarious,
Also expressing its concern that the Declaration on the Right to Development is insufficiently
disseminated and should be taken into account, as appropriate, in bilateral and multilateral cooperation
programmes, national development strategies and policies and activities of international organizations,
1
Resolution 217 A (III).
2
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1998, Supplement No. 3 (E/1998/23), chap. II, sect
A.
3
Resolution 41/128, annex.
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