Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
Thirty years ago, the Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development placed people at the centre of development. That vision of putting people first and leaving no one behind, now lies at the core of the 2030 Agenda.
Since Copenhagen, we have made impressive progress in some areas of social development. For example, more than one billion people have escaped extreme poverty since 1995 ¨C a remarkable achievement, particularly despite setbacks like the pandemic.
However, many people still face persistent poverty, marginalization, and unequal access to basic services and economic opportunities. The forthcoming World Social report, prepared by UN DESA and UNU-WIDER, describes the current global state as one of profound social crisis, characterized by inequality, insecurity, and distrust.
The Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) offers a unique opportunity for us to address these root causes, assess progress, identify gaps and chart a course towards accelerated social progress and inclusion, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring long-term gains.
Member State deliberations will shape this new course. It is expected that a concise, action-oriented political declaration will be adopted at the WSSD2, deliberated in advance through intergovernmental negotiations in New York. The declaration will frame a social development approach and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
This Summit can serve as a powerful global platform to foster integrated, coherent policymaking and catalyse concrete actions and meaningful investments in human capabilities, social protection, and decent work, ultimately eradicating poverty and reducing inequality -- leaving no one behind.
The Co-Facilitators leading the intergovernmental process, the Permanent Representatives of Belgium and Morocco have recently issued a ¡®Food for Thought¡¯ paper that points to the potential ambition of the Summit.
Prepared for the consideration of Member States, and based on their input and ideas, the paper underscores the importance of whole-of-government, whole-of-society, and people-centered approaches, as well as policy coherence, in advancing progress in social development. It calls for a holistic approach to poverty eradication. And it recognizes the centrality of macroeconomic policies that create decent jobs, engaging the private sector, and addressing social integration, including through the participation of women, youth, older persons, indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities, in setting policy priorities.
Distinguished delegates, Regional platforms, like this Forum, are vital for success in Doha. They enable regional dialogues on pressing social challenges, fostering innovative solutions tailored to unique regional contexts while offering globally applicable lessons.
ECLAC¡¯s proposal of an inclusive social development compact ¨C with an emphasis on expanding social protection systems, fostering social dialogue and investing in institution-building ¨C is an important contribution to the vision on achieving a more inclusive and sustainable future.
I am confident that your discussions will generate bold, innovative and ambitious ideas to advance social progress.
I eagerly look forward to your active participation in the Doha Summit this November.
Thank you.