UN’s resolution on happiness

Adopting a second draft resolution, titled “Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development”, the Assembly invited Member States to pursue public policy steps that would better capture the importance of pursuing happiness and well-being in development. It also welcomed Bhutan’s offer to hold a panel discussion on the theme during the Assembly’s upcoming sixty-sixth session.

Reading out an oral statement on the financial implications of the text, a Secretariat official said it would cost $52,300 in 2012 to translate into and issue in all six official languages the Secretary-General’s estimated 8,500-word report on the pursuit of happiness, which he had been requested to present at the Assembly’s sixty-seventh session.

Presenting the text earlier, Lhatu Wangchuk (Bhutan) said it had been inspired by the increasing number of thinkers, economists and political leaders seeking ways to make development more sustainable, humane and holistic. Several Member States had taken steps to develop happiness and well-being indicators, he noted. “The search for happiness is a serious matter and we feel that the time for its discussion at the United Nations should not be delayed.”

Resolution no: A/RES/65/309

Sixty-fifth General Assembly
Plenary
109th Meeting (AM)

Record No
A/65/PV.10919 July 2011GA/11116 without vote

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