Resolution adopted by the General Assembly  on 17 December 2018          [on the report of the Third Committee (A/73/589/Add.2)]       73/169. Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order        The General Assembly,    Recalling its previous resolutions on the promotion of a democratic and  equitable international order, including resolution 72/172 of 19 December 2017, and  Human Rights Council resolutions 18/6 of 29 September 2011,1 33/3 of 29 September  2016,2 36/4 of 28 September 20173 and 39/4 of 27 September 2018,4     Reaffirming the commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote  universal respect for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and  fundamental freedoms for all, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,  other instruments relating to human rights and international law,    Affirming that the enhancement of international cooperation for the promotion  and protection of all human rights should continue to be carried out in full conformity  with the purposes and principles of the Charter and international law, as set forth in  Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter, and with full respect for, inter alia, sovereignty,  territorial integrity, political independence, the non-use of force or the threat of force  in international relations and non-intervention in matters that are essentially within  the domestic jurisdiction of any State,    Recalling the Preamble to the Charter, in particular the determination to reaffirm  faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and  in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small,  __________________    1  See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-sixth Session, Supplement No. 53A and  corrigendum (A/66/53/Add.1 and A/66/53/Add.1/Corr.1), chap. II.    2  Ibid., Seventy-first Session, Supplement No. 53A and corrigendum (A/71/53/Add.1 and  A/71/53/Add.1/Corr.1), chap. II.    3  Ibid., Seventy-second Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/72/53/Add.1), chap. III.    4  Ibid., Seventy-third Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/73/53/Add.1), chap. III.   A/RES/73/169  Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order   18-22265 2/6      Reaffirming that everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which  the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 5 can  be fully realized,    Reaffirming also the determination expressed in the Preamble to the Charter to  save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under  which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources  of international law can be maintained, to promote social progress and better  standards of life in larger freedom, to practise tolerance and good-neighbourliness  and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social  advancement of all peoples,    Stressing that the responsibility for managing worldwide economic and social  issues, as well as threats to international peace and security, must be shared among  the nations of the world and should be exercised multilaterally, and that in this regard  the central role must be played by the United Nations, as the most universal and  representative organization in the world,    Concerned about the continued abuse by Member States of the extraterritorial  application of their national legislation in a manner that affects the sovereignty of  other States, the legitimate interests of entities or persons under their jurisdiction and  the full enjoyment of human rights,    Considering the major changes taking place on the international scene and the  aspirations of all peoples for an international order based on the principles enshrined  in the Charter, including promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and  fundamental freedoms for all and respect for the principle of equal rights and self- determination of peoples, peace, democracy, justice, equality, the rule of law,  pluralism, development, better standards of living and solidarity,    Recognizing that the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of  human rights is essential for the full achievement of the purposes of the United  Nations, including the effective promotion and protection of all human rights,    Considering that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that all  human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is  entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind,  such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or  social origin, property, birth or other status,    Reaffirming that democracy, development and respect for human rights and  fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that  democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own  political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all  aspects of their lives,    Recognizing that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based  on the principle of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the  capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the  benefit of all human beings,    Emphasizing that democracy is not only a political concept, but that it also has  economic and social dimensions,    Recognizing that democracy, respect for all human rights, including the right to  development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all  sectors of society and effective participation by civil society are an essential part of  __________________    5  Resolution 217 A (III).   Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order  A/RES/73/169   3/6 18-22265    the necessary foundations for the realization of social and people-centred sustainable  development,    Noting with concern that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related  intolerance may be aggravated by, inter alia, inequitable distribution of wealth,  marginalization and social exclusion,    Reaffirming that dialogue among religions, cultures and civilizations could  contribute greatly to the enhancement of international cooperation at all levels,    Underlining the fact that it is imperative for the international community to  ensure that globalization becomes a positive force for all the world’s people and that  only through broad and sustained efforts, based on our common humanity in all its  diversity, can globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable,    Deeply concerned that the current global economic, financial, energy and food  crises, resulting from a combination of several major factors, including  macroeconomic and other factors, such as environmental degradation, desertification  and global climate change, natural disasters and the lack of financial resources and  the technology necessary to confront their negative impact in developing countries,  particularly in the least developed countries and small island developing States,  represent a global scenario that is threatening the adequate enjoyment of all human  rights and widening the gap between developed and developing countries,    Recognizing that a democratic and equitable order requires the reform of  international financial institutions, in order to widen and strengthen the level of  participation of developing countries in the international decision-making process,  and a more transparent and open financial system, as well as adequate measures  against illicit financial flows, such as tax fraud, tax evasion, illegal capital flight,  money-laundering and the proceeds of corruption, and for improving tax transparency  worldwide,     Stressing that efforts to make globalization fully inclusive and equitable must  include policies and measures at the global level that correspond to the needs of  developing countries and countries with economies in transition and are formulated  and implemented with their effective participation,    Stressing also the need for adequate financing of, technology transfer to and  capacity-building in developing countries, in particular the least developed countries,  landlocked developing countries and small island developing States, including to  support their efforts to adapt to climate change,    Having listened to the peoples of the world, and recognizing their aspirations to  justice, to equality of opportunity for all, to the enjoyment of their human rights,  including the right to development, to live in peace and freedom and to equal  participation without discrimination in economic, social, cultural, civil and  political life,    Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 on institution-building of the  Council and 5/2 on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of  the Council of 18 June 2007,6 and stressing that all mandate holders shall discharge  their duties in accordance with those resolutions and the annexes thereto,    Emphasizing the importance of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 7  for the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order,  __________________    6  See Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixty-second Session, Supplement No. 53  (A/62/53), chap. IV, sect. A.    7  Resolution 70/1.   A/RES/73/169  Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order   18-22265 4/6      Resolved to take all measures within its power to secure a democratic and  equitable international order,    1.  Affirms that everyone is entitled to a democratic and equitable  international order;    2.  Also affirms that a democratic and equitable international order fosters the  full realization of all human rights for all;    3.  Takes note of the report of the Independent Expert of the Human Rights  Council on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; 8     4.  Calls upon all Member States to fulfil their commitment expressed in  Durban, South Africa, during the World Conference against Racism, Racial  Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, to maximize the benefits of  globalization through, inter alia, the strengthening and enhancement of international  cooperation to increase equality of opportunities for trade, economic growth and  sustainable development, global communications through the use of new technologies  and increased intercultural exchange through the preservation and promotion of  cultural diversity, 9  and reiterates that only through broad and sustained efforts to  create a shared future based upon our common humanity and all its diversity can  globalization be made fully inclusive and equitable;    5.  Declares that democracy includes respect for all human rights and  fundamental freedoms and is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of  people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and  their full participation in all aspects of their lives, and reaffirms the need for universal  adherence to and implementation of the rule of law at both the national and  international levels;    6.  Affirms that a democratic and equitable international order requires, inter  alia, the realization of the following:     (a)  The right of all peoples to self-determination, by virtue of which they can  freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and  cultural development;    (b)  The right of peoples and nations to permanent sovereignty over their  natural wealth and resources;    (c)  The right of every human person and all peoples to development;    (d)  The right of all peoples to peace;    (e)  The right to an international economic order based on equal participation  in the decision-making process, interdependence, mutual interest, solidarity and  cooperation among all States;    (f)  International solidarity, as a right of peoples and individuals;    (g)  The promotion and consolidation of transparent, democratic, just and  accountable international institutions in all areas of cooperation, in particular through  the implementation of the principle of full and equal participation in their respective  decision-making mechanisms;    (h)  The right to equitable participation of all, without any discrimination, in  domestic and global decision-making;    (i)  The principle of equitable regional and gender-balanced representation in  the composition of the staff of the United Nations system;  __________________    8  See A/73/158.    9  See A/CONF.189/12 and A/CONF.189/12/Corr.1, chap. I.   Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order  A/RES/73/169   5/6 18-22265      (j)  The promotion of a free, just, effective and balanced international  information and communications order based on international cooperation for the  establishment of a new equilibrium and greater reciprocity in the international flow  of information, in particular correcting the inequalities in the flow of information to  and from developing countries;    (k)  Respect for cultural diversity and the cultural rights of all, since this  enhances cultural pluralism, contributes to a wider exchange of knowledge and  understanding of cultural backgrounds, advances the application and enjoyment of  universally accepted human rights across the world and fosters stable, friendly  relations among peoples and nations worldwide;    (l)  The right of every person and all peoples to a healthy environment and to  enhanced international cooperation that responds effectively to the needs for  assistance of national efforts to adapt to climate change, particularly in developing  countries, and that promotes the fulfilment of international agreements in the field of  mitigation;    (m) The promotion of equitable access to benefits from the international  distribution of wealth through enhanced international cooperation, in particular in  international economic, commercial and financial relations;    (n)  The enjoyment by everyone of ownership of the common heritage of  humankind in connection to the public right of access to culture;    (o)  The shared responsibility of the nations of the world for managing  worldwide economic and social development, as well as threats to international peace  and security, which should be exercised multilaterally;    7.  Stresses the importance of preserving the rich and diverse nature of the  international community of nations and peoples, as well as respect for national and  regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds, in  the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights;    8.  Also stresses that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent  and interrelated and that the international community must treat human rights globally  in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis, and  reaffirms that, while the significance of national and regional particularities and  various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds must be borne in mind, it is the  duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote  and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all;    9.  Reaffirms, among other principles, the sovereign equality of States,  non-intervention and non-interference in internal affairs;    10. Urges all actors on the international scene to build an international order  based on inclusion, social justice, equality and equity, human dignity, mutual  understanding and promotion of and respect for cultural diversity and universal  human rights and to reject all doctrines of exclusion based on racism, racial  discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;    11.  Reaffirms that all States should promote the establishment, maintenance  and strengthening of international peace and security and, to that end, should do their  utmost to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international  control, as well as to ensure that the resources released by effective disarmament  measures are used for comprehensive development, in particular that of the  developing countries;    12. Underlines that attempts to overthrow legitimate Governments by force  disrupt the democratic and constitutional order, the legitimate exercise of power and  the full enjoyment of human rights, and reaffirms that every State has an inalienable   A/RES/73/169  Promotion of a democratic and equitable international order   18-22265 6/6    right to choose its political, economic, social and cultural system, without interference  in any form by other States;    13. Reaffirms the need to continue working urgently for the establishment of  a new international economic order based on equity, sovereign equality,  interdependence, common interest and cooperation among all States, irrespective of  their economic and social systems, which shall correct inequalities and redress  existing injustices, make it possible to eliminate the widening gap between the  developed and the developing countries and ensure steadily accelerating economic  and social development and peace and justice for present and future generations, in  accordance with relevant previous General Assembly resolutions, programmes of  action and major conferences and summits in the economic, social and related areas;    14. Also reaffirms that the international community should devise ways and  means to remove the current obstacles and meet the challenges to the full realization  of all human rights and to prevent the continuation of human rights violations  resulting therefrom throughout the world;    15. Urges States to continue their efforts, through enhanced international  cooperation, towards the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order;    16. Affirms that a democratic and equitable international order, as prescribed  in the Charter of the United Nations, cannot be achieved only through the deregulation  of trade, markets and financial services;    17. Requests the Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner  for Human Rights to continue to provide all the human and financial resources  necessary for the effective fulfilment of the mandate of the Independent Expert;    18. Calls upon all Governments to cooperate with and assist the Independent  Expert in his task, to supply all necessary information requested by him and to  consider responding favourably to the requests of the Independent Expert to visit their  countries to enable him to fulfil his mandate more effectively;    19. Requests the Human Rights Council, the human rights treaty bodies, the  Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the special  mechanisms extended by the Council and the Human Rights Council Advisory  Committee to pay due attention, within their respective mandates, to the present  resolution and to make contributions towards its implementation;    20. Calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner to build upon the issue  of the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order;    21. Requests the Secretary-General to bring the present resolution to the  attention of Member States, United Nations organs, bodies and components,  intergovernmental organizations, in particular the Bretton Woods institutions, and  non-governmental organizations and to disseminate it on the widest possible basis;    22. Requests the Independent Expert to submit to the General Assembly at its  seventy-fourth session a report on the implementation of the present resolution, and  invites him to undertake research into the impact of financial and economic policies  pursued by international organizations and other institutions on a democratic and  equitable international order;     23. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its seventy-fourth  session under the item entitled “Promotion and protection of human rights”.