E/CN.4/1999/48 page 15 enhanced protection of human rights are key components of good governance. It also called for the empowerment of the poor, their active involvement and participation in poverty reduction strategies and improved access by the poor to well-functioning institutions, such as those in the political and judicial systems. 57. Since poverty reduction can only be achieved through accelerated and sustained economic growth, Governments should carry out the necessary economic reforms which balance growth with social investments. Growth should be equitable, employment intensive and pro-poor, underpinned by sound policies to promote social justice and redress social inequities. It also requires special measures to increase the access of the poor to productive assets, including land and credit, and to make them economic, social and civil actors. Moreover, it requires sound environmental policies and access by the poor to resource- and energy-saving technologies and environmental education. 58. Natural disasters such as drought and floods, war, economic shocks and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS can result in serious losses for the poor - losses in jobs, incomes and assets. Society must be ready to provide safety nets in such circumstances. These would include employment and income-generating programmes, social assistance, targeted support for the elderly and disabled, programmes assisting the internally displaced, and food transfers. 59. The ACC stressed that empowerment, participation and social capital are important means for action against poverty, as well as ends in themselves. Mobilizing social capital calls for institutional changes which support empowerment of the poor and the full realization of their rights as citizens. It demands promoting the advancement of women, as well as of marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, those living in remote areas and refugees. All countries should extend their full support to such strategies with a view to achieving development and peace by addressing the root causes of poverty. 60. International economic relations should emphasize economic access for the poor. This requires creating policies and conditions which would enable developing countries, particularly the least developed among them, to benefit from opportunities in trade, investment and technology transfer brought about by globalization. This also entails adopting creative approaches to debt management, relief and reduction in order to free up resources poor countries need to combat poverty. The flow and quality of official development assistance must also be improved. 61. An international campaign against poverty calls for continuing measurement and monitoring implemented with the participation of all affected groups. The executive heads were convinced that accountability, transparency and inclusion at all levels are integral to achieving the goals of poverty eradication. 62. Finally, the ACC reaffirmed that every organization of the system is committed not only to strengthening its own action, but also to working with others to fight poverty in all its forms. The executive heads agreed to identify areas for common action and build partnerships among concerned organizations.