The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 45/98 of 14 December 1990, 45/188 of 21 December 1990, 46/166 of 19 December 1991 and 47/171, 47/181 and 47/199 of 22 December 1992,
Taking note of Agenda 21, the Cartagena Commitment, the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade and the Declaration on International Economic Cooperation, in particular the Revitalization of Economic Growth and Development of the Developing Countries,
Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on entrepreneurship and national development,
Taking note of chapter VII of the World Economic Survey, 1993,
Taking into account the activities of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Comparative Experiences with Privatization and the Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on Restrictive Business Practices, of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development,
Recognizing the importance of the market and the private sector for the efficient functioning of economies in various stages of development,
Recognizing the sovereign right of each State to decide on the development of its private and public sectors, taking into account the comparative advantages of each sector, bearing in mind the economic, social and cultural diversity in the world,
Acknowledging that broad participation by individuals and major groups in decision-making is a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of economic growth and sustainable development, with entrepreneurship as an important element of that goal,
Noting that many countries continue to attach major importance to the privatization of enterprises, demonopolization and administrative deregulation in the context of their economic restructuring policies, as a means to increase efficiency, economic growth and sustainable development,
Recognizing the important role of Governments in creating, through transparent and participatory processes, the enabling environment supportive of entrepreneurship and facilitative of privatization, in particular the establishment of the judicial, executive and legislative frameworks necessary for a market-based exchange of goods and services and for good management, as described in paragraphs 27 and 28 of the Cartagena Commitment,
Emphasizing the importance of a supportive international economic environment, including investment and trade, for the promotion of entrepreneurship and privatization in all countries,
Noting the difficulties that countries encounter in promoting entrepreneurship and in implementing privatization programmes owing to a lack of appropriate experience and technical capacities in those areas,
Welcoming the activities that have been and will be undertaken by the organizations, bodies, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system for the benefit of recipient countries and in conformity with their own policies and priorities for development, in supporting national efforts aimed at creating enabling environments for entrepreneurship and for the implementation of privatization programmes,
Recalling with satisfaction the active collaboration between the United Nations system and private-sector associations, such as the ongoing efforts of the United Nations Development Programme with the International Chamber of Commerce, the Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Group of 77,
Mindful of the resource constraints of the Secretariat and, therefore, of the need to rationalize related agenda items and requests for reports,
1. Invites interested Member States to enhance the exchange of information among themselves and all relevant organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system on activities, programmes and experiences of Member States and the United Nations system concerning entrepreneurship, privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation, in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of technical cooperation in this field;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to strengthen, within existing resources and with due priority, the activities of the United Nations system related to the promotion of entrepreneurship and to the implementation of privatization programmes, demonopolization and administrative deregulation, through, inter alia, better coordination;
3. Calls upon the relevant organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, according to their mandates, to develop and, upon request, increase technical assistance, and to incorporate in their respective programming and activities specific objectives that will:
(a) Facilitate, as appropriate, the creation of enabling environments for the establishment and growth of small and medium-size enterprises and for the support of local entrepreneurs;
(b) Facilitate, as appropriate, the design and implementation of privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation policies, and assist relevant national institutions in developing the capacities to institute appropriate policy, legal, regulatory and fiscal frameworks and incentives to promote entrepreneurship;
4. Encourages the relevant organs, organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, in pursuing those activities, to foster active partnerships between public and private entities, taking into account the capacities for self-organization of entrepreneurs, through, for example:
(a) Mechanisms for discussion and consultation by relevant parties as to the appropriate ways to enhance the environment for entrepreneurship, privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation;
(b) Promoting initiatives, such as national and, where appropriate, regional workshops, to review and disseminate experience and lessons learned locally and internationally on the promotion of entrepreneurship and on the implementation of privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a biennial report, in consultation with the heads of relevant organs, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, on policies and activities related to entrepreneurship, privatization, demonopolization and administrative deregulation, clarifying the focus of their respective activities;
6. Decides to review and appraise at its fiftieth session the activities related to the present resolution under an item entitled "Development and international economic cooperation: Entrepreneurship and privatization for economic growth and sustainable development".
86th plenary meeting
21 December 1993
