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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
17 October

Second UN decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017)

Eradicating poverty is one of the greatest global challenges facing the world today, particularly in Africa and in Least Developed Countries.

The number of people living in poverty is higher than previously estimated, despite significant progress, and the current financial and food insecurity crises and unpredictable energy prices may pose significant challenges for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.

After the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997–2006) and midway to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals target date, while there has been progress in reducing poverty in some regions, this progress has been uneven and the number of people living in
poverty in some countries continues to increase, with women and children constituting the majority of the most affected groups, especially in the Least Developed Countries, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The second Decade aims at supporting, in an efficient and coordinated manner, the internationally agreed development goals related to poverty eradication, including the Millennium Development Goals. It stresses the importance of reinforcing the positive trends in poverty reduction in some countries and extending such trends to benefit people worldwide. The proclamation recognizes the importance of mobilizing financial resources for development at the national and international levels and acknowledges that sustained economic growth, supported by rising productivity and a favorable environment, including private investment and entrepreneurship, is vital for rising living standards.

General Assembly resolution 63/230 of 19 December 2008 on the Second UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017) set “Full employment and decent work for all” as a theme for the Decade. The resolution called for a more coherent and integrated UN system-wide response.

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