A/RES/57/211 constitute a threat to the right to life, its immediate alleviation and eventual eradication must remain a high priority for the international community, Considering that democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, Noting with interest the reports submitted to the General Assembly by the Secretary-General 17 and to the Commission on Human Rights by the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty 18 and the recommendations contained therein, Also noting with interest the appointment of experts by the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, in the context of the fight against extreme poverty, 19 1. Reaffirms that extreme poverty and exclusion from society constitute a violation of human dignity and that urgent national and international action is therefore required to eliminate them; 2. Also reaffirms that it is essential for States to foster participation by the poorest people in the decision-making process in the societies in which they live, in the promotion of human rights and in efforts to combat extreme poverty, and that it is essential for people living in poverty and vulnerable groups to be empowered to organize themselves and to participate in all aspects of political, economic and social life, in particular the planning and implementation of policies that affect them, thus enabling them to become genuine partners in development; 3. Emphasizes that extreme poverty is a major issue to be addressed by Governments, civil society and the United Nations system, including international financial institutions, and in this context reaffirms that political commitment is a prerequisite for the eradication of poverty; 4. Recognizes that surmounting extreme poverty constitutes an essential means to the full enjoyment of political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights, and reaffirms the interrelationship among these goals; 5. Reaffirms that the existence of widespread absolute poverty inhibits the full and effective enjoyment of human rights and renders democracy and popular participation fragile; 6. Recognizes the need to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, in order to address the most pressing social needs of people living in poverty, including through the design and development of appropriate mechanisms to strengthen and consolidate democratic institutions and governance; 7. Reaffirms the commitments to the achievement of the development and poverty eradication goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration,9 and in the outcome documents of relevant major United Nations conferences, summits and special sessions; 8. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, within the framework of the implementation of the United Nations Decade for the _______________ 17 A/57/369. E/CN.4/2002/55. 19 See resolutions 2001/8 and 2002/13 of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. 18 3