A/RES/50/161 Page 2 Critical importance of national action and international cooperation for social development 1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the World Summit for Social Development; 2. Takes note also of the report of the Secretary-General of 26 October 1995 on implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development; 4/ 3. Endorses the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development 5/ and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, 6/ adopted on 12 March 1995; 4. Reaffirms the pledge by the heads of State and Government at the Summit to give highest priority to national, regional and international policies and actions for the promotion of social progress, justice and the betterment of the human condition, based on full participation by all; 5. Recognizes the necessity to create a framework for action to place people at the centre of development and direct economies to meet human needs more effectively; 6. Stresses the need for a renewed and massive political will at the national and international levels to invest in people and their well-being to achieve the objectives of social development; 7. Emphasizes that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development; 8. Recognizes that social development and the implementation of the Programme of Action are primarily the responsibility of Governments, although international cooperation and assistance are essential for their full implementation; 9. Reiterates the call to Governments to define time-bound goals and targets for reducing overall poverty and eradicating absolute poverty, expanding employment and reducing unemployment, and enhancing social integration, within each national context; 10. Emphasizes that there is a need for promotion of an integrated and multidimensional approach for the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action at all levels; 4/ A/50/670. 5/ A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, annex I. 6/ Ibid., chap. I, annex II. 96-76939 /...