A/RES/74/158 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 17 January 2020 Seventy-fourth session Agenda item 70 (b) Promotion and protection of human rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 2019 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/74/399/Add.2)] 74/158. Strengthening the role of the United Nations in enhancing periodic and genuine elections and the promotion of democratization The General Assembly, Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming that democracy is a universal value 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 o f their lives, Reaffirming also that, while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region, and reaffirming further the necessity of due respect for sovereignty and the right to self-determination, Stressing that democracy, development and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing, Reaffirming that Member States are responsible for organizing, conducting and ensuring transparent, free and fair electoral processes and that Member States, in the exercise of their sovereignty, may request international organizations to provide advisory services or assistance for strengthening and developing their electoral institutions and processes, including sending preliminary missions for that purpose, Recognizing the importance of fair, periodic and genuine elections, including in new democracies and countries undergoing democratization, in order to empower citizens to express their will and to promote a successful transition to long-term sustainable democracies, 19-22284 (E) 200120 *1922284*

Select target paragraph3