UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED NATIONS

General Assembly

Distr. LIMITED
A/C.3/4 2/L.25
26 October 1987
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Forty-second session THIRD COMMITTEE Agenda item 93
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION CONCERNING DISABLED PERSONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS
Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Sweden, United States of America, Yugoslavia and
Zaire: ft resolution
The General Assembly,
Recalling all its pertinent resolutions, including resolution 37/52 of 3 December 1982, by which it adopted the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, 1/ and resolution 37/53 of 3 December 1982, by which, inter alia, it proclaimed the period 1983-1992 the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons,
Recalling its resolution 41/106 of 4 December 1986, and reaffirming all of its relevant provisions,
Taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 1987/43 of 28 May 1987, by which, inter alia, it requested the Secretary-General to make all appropriate efforts to mobilize international support and action for the Decade,
Further taking note of the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future, 2/ adopted by the Interregional
1/ A/37/351/Add.1 and Add. 1/ Corr.1, annex, sect. VIII, recommendation 1 (IV). 2/ E/CONF..80/10.
87-26123 35132 (E)

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Consultation on Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes, held at Vienna from 7 to 15 September 1987,
Beating in mind that 1987 marks the mid-point of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons and that, in the review being conducted on the implementation of the World Programme of Action, the most important criteria for evaluation are suggested by the theme of the International Year of Disabled Persons, "Full participation and equality",
Noting with satisfaction the concrete measures already carried out by the Governments of Member States, the bodies and organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations to implement the objectives of the World Programme of Action within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons,
Noting the important work currenty being undertaken by the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities on human rights and disability, which could serve as a useful basis for the continued efforts to ensure for disabled persons the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Noting with appreciation the stops taken by the United Nations system and by the non-governmental organizations concerned to monitor the implementation of the World Programme of Action,
Reiterating the need to give greater publicity to revitalize the United Nations Decade of Disabised Persons,
Recognizing the pivotal role of the United Nations in promoting the exchange of information, experience and expertise and closer regional and interregional co-operation towards more effective strategies and policies to advance the status and welfare of persons with disabilities,
Stressing that the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs if, the focal point within the United Nations for the implementation and monitoring of the World Programme of Action,
Concerned that, at the mid-point of the Decade, the resource bane of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons is significantly reduced from that prevailing during the first half of the Decade, and that unions this trend is reversed, the resources of the Fund will be depleted and operational activities will lapse well before the end of the decode in 1992,
Mindful that, since developing countries are experiencing difficulties in mobilizing resources, international co-operation should be encouraged to assist national efforts in implementing the World Programme of Action and the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons,

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Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 3/
Also taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on the evaluation of the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons during the first half of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 4/
1. Reaffirrs the validity of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and urges Member States to rededicate themselves to the early and effective implementation of the Programme)
2. Invites those Member states that have not done so to establish national committees in consultation with disabled persons and their organizations a* focal points for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons)
3. Invites once again Member States to reinforce national committees as focal points for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, to stimulate activities at the national level, to mobilize public opinion on behalf of the Decade, to participate in the implementation of disability projects with regard to the International Year of Disabled Persons and to assist in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons during the second half of the Decade;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to consider convening, within existing resources, during the second half of the Decade, an interregional meeting of representatives of national disability committees with a view to enhancing the capabilities of such committees through an exchange of views and information;
5. Invites Member States to incorporate in their national development plans and strategies projects to assist persons with disabilities and to include such projects in the country programmer of the United Nations Development Programmes;
6. Renews its invitation to all States to give high priority to projects concerning the prevention of disabilities, rehabilitation and the equalization of opportunities for disabled persons within the framework of bilateral assistance;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to encourage all organs and bodies of the United Nations, including regional commissions, international organizations and specialized agency to take into consideration the specific needs of disabled persone, when elaborating their programmes and operational activities;
3/ A/42/551.
4/ A/42/561.

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8. Invites the Secretary-General and Member States to encourage real involvement of disabled persons in United Nations programmes and activities, including the provision of employment opportunities;
9. Requests the Secretary-General to consider, within existing resources, alternative management structures to ensure that the issue of disability is accorded high visibility and to develop the Disabled Persons Unit in the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs as a specialized facilitating agent engaging the available resources of the United Nations system and relevant networks outside the United Nations;
10. Invites the Centre to expand its close collaboration with non-governmental organizations and to consult with them on a regular and systematic basis on matters relating to the implementation of the World Programme of Action;
11. Calls upon Member States, national committees, the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations to assist in a global information campaign to publicize the Decade through all appropriate means;
12. Recognizes the important role of non-governmental organizations, especially those representing persons with disabilities, in the effective implementation of the World Programme of Action, in raising international awareness or the concerns of persons with disabilities and in monitoring and evaluating progress achieved during the Decade;
13. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to administer donated funds, using them for projects under the present structure of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, and, in addition, to continue to make new provisions in order to offer a selection of projects to donor countries that might be willing to finance a particular programme under the "Special Purpose Contributions";
14. Reaffirms that the resources of the Voluntary Fund should be used to support catalytic and innovative activities in order to implement further the objectives of the World Programme of Action within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, with priority given, as appropriate, to programmes and projects of the least developed countries;
15. Invites Governments and non-governmental organizations to continue their contributions to the Voluntary Fund, and calls upon Governments and non-governmental organizations that have not yet done so to consider contributing to the Fund so as to enable it to respond effectively to the grooving demand for assistance;
16. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of Sweden for hosting the Global Meeting of Experts to review the implementation of the World Proqramme of Action concerning Disabled Persons at the mid-point of the United Nation.'? Decade of Disabled Persons, held at Stockholm from 17 to 22 August 1987, and to the exports who participated;

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17. Requests Member States and all relevant bodies and organs of the United Nations system to submit to the Secretary-General their comments on the recommendations outlined in paragraphs 10 to 39 of the report of the Global Meeting of Experts, 5/ as well as on the report of the Secretary-General on the evaluation of the implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons during the first half of the united Nations Decade of Disabled Persons 4/ and requests the Secretary-General to submit a report thereon to the Economic and Social Council at its first regular session in 1988)
18. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its forty-third session on the implementation of the present resolution;
19. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-third session the item entitled "Implementation of the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons".
5/ CSDIIA/DDP/GME/7 OF 1 SEPTEMBER 1987.