DRAFT ON ROLE ON MICROCREDIT IN ERADICATING POVERTY INTRODUCED IN SECOND COMMITTEE
Press Release
GA/EF/2800
DRAFT ON ROLE ON MICROCREDIT IN ERADICATING POVERTY INTRODUCED IN SECOND COMMITTEE
19971120 The General Assembly would encourage all actors involved in poverty eradication programmes to incorporate microcredit schemes in their strategies, by the terms of a draft resolution introduced this afternoon in the Second Committee (Economic and Financial).By the draft text (document A/C.2/52/L.27), introduced by the representative of Bangladesh, the Assembly would also encourage the adoption of policies that support the development of microcredit institutions so that credit might be made available to the increasing number of people living in poverty.
In addition, the draft would welcome the outcome of the Microcredit Summit, held at Washington, D.C., from 2 to 4 February, which, through its Declaration and Plan of Action, launched a global movement to reach 100 million of the world's poorest families, especially women of those families, with credit for self-employment and other financial and business services, by the year 2005.
Also by the text, the Assembly would call on the United Nations system, particularly its funds, programmes and regional commissions, as well as international and regional financial institutions and donor agencies involved in poverty eradication, to explore, among others, the microcredit approach in their programmes as a tool for the eradication of poverty. It would also call on all concerned non-governmental organizations, other actors of civil society and the private sector to support and incorporate microcredit schemes in their programmes for eradicating poverty.
The text's preambular part would have the Assembly recognize that people living in poverty are innately capable of working their way out of poverty with dignity, and can demonstrate creative potential to improve their situation when an enabling environment and the right opportunities exist. It would also note that in many countries, microcredit programmes, by providing access to small capitals to people living in poverty, have succeeded in generating productive self-employment, benefiting especially women.
The draft resolution is also sponsored by Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mali, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Samoa, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Uganda and the United States.
The Committee will meet again at a date to be announced in the Journal.
* *** *