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;
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1
03 50778
A/58/179.