Welcome to the United Nations. It's your world.
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) - Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

Poverty Banner

You are here >   Poverty > UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty

United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty

UN Poverty Photo

First United Nations Decade for the eradication of poverty (1997-2006)

In December 1995, the General Assembly proclaimed the First United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006).

In December 1996, the General Assembly declared the theme for the Decade as a whole to be "Eradicating poverty is an ethical, social, political and economic imperative of humankind."

Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017)

In December 2007, the General Assembly proclaimed the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017) reiterating that eradicating poverty was the greatest global challenge facing the world and a core requirement for sustainable development, especially for developing countries. The proclamation recalls the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly.