Recalling its relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 2718 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, 3001 (XXVII) of 15 December 1972, 3327 (XXIX) of 16 December 1974 and 32/162 of 19 December 1977,

Noting that in the report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the work of its second session/67 Member States are called upon to deal with human settlements programmes as an integral and important element of national development plans,

Recognizing that the goals of the new international economic order encompass both general economic improvements in developing countries and the achievement of social equity in the distribution of benefits from economic growth,

Convinced that human settlements activities can make an important contribution to achieving both those goals of the new international economic order,

Recognizing that one of the most urgent needs in developing countries is to upgrade the living and working conditions of low-income and disadvantaged groups in both rural and urban areas,

Convinced that human settlements programmes provide a direct mechanism for redressing imbalances in access to shelter, utility services, health care, education and community amenities, and hence can have a significant impact on the immediate, day-to-day needs of low-income and disadvantaged groups,

Convinced that human settlements programmes offer an effective tool for generating the energy-conserving and resource-conserving community patterns which will be called for,

1.Urges Member States, within the context of their national priorities, to devote a larger share of national resources to the strengthening of human settlements activities as vehicles of economic and social change;

2.Suggests that Member States should examine multilateral and bilateral co-operation programmes, particularly those financed by the United Nations Development Programme, to determine whether an increased allocation can be made to the human settlements sector;

3.Requests Member States to report every two years to the Commission on Human Settlements on the progress made in implementing the recommendations for national action adopted by Habitat: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements and, where possible, on the level and sources of international and national funding being devoted to human settlements activities.

104th plenary meeting
14 December 1979