Emphasizes that the observance of 2005 as the International Year of Microcredit will provide a significant opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of microcredit and microfinance in the eradication of poverty, to share good practices and to further enhance financial sector developments that support sustainable pro-poor financial services in all countries; encourages the holding of regional and subregional events on microcredit and microfinance, and, in this regard, welcomes the holding of the Asia-Pacific Region Microcredit Summit Meeting of Councils, in Dhaka, 16-19 Feb. 2004; requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on the preparations for the International Year of Microcredit, 2005, in consultation with Member States, relevant organizations of the UN system, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society, and to submit it to the General Assembly at its 59th session under the item entitled Implementation of the 1st UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006).

Adopted without vote, 78th plenary meeting

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