EU Statement – World Social Summit: Plenary

Secretary-General, Heads of State, Prime Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be here and to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

This Summit is historic and – if we are being honest – long overdue. Thirty years ago, in Copenhagen, leaders committed to fight poverty, create decent jobs, and promote social justice. It is high time to take stock of what we have achieved and where we have fallen short. Above all, this Summit is an opportunity to recommit to placing social and sustainable development at the heart of the global agenda and accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2030.

Despite progress in some areas, especially around unemployment, we cannot be satisfied with where we are. More than 800 million people still live in extreme poverty worldwide. More than 2 billion continue to experience food insecurity. We see rising inequality, stagnating education results, and slow progress on gender equality and disability inclusion.

The EU and its Member States take pride in placing social development and social justice at the heart of their policies. Fairer societies where wellbeing is at the centre: this is the European way of life. At the same time, we are mindful of our own challenges, especially around poverty and social exclusion, educational results and adult learning.

But we do have a vision: it is the one contained in the European Pillar of Social Rights. We have targets for 2030 that drive our ambition: on employment levels, lifelong learning, and poverty reduction. And we have a bold agenda to move forward advancing economic growth hand in hand with social progress and human rights. 

The Union of Skills strategy we put forward earlier this year has a strong focus on strengthening education and expanding training for workers. 

The forthcoming European Commission proposals on Quality Jobs Roadmap and Quality Jobs Act will focus on job creation, good working conditions, modernisation and fair job transitions.

Next year, the European Commission will adopt an EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, to address the root causes of poverty, including through the European Child Guarantee, strengthen prevention and expand access to essential services. We have set ourselves the goal of eradicating poverty in the EU by 2050.

Internationally, the EU and its Member States are proud to be the world’s largest providers of Official Development Assistance – over 42% of global ODA. We are careful about how we select these investments. They are aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, strengthening social protection systems, and advancing gender equality, as well as inclusive and sustainable growth in our partner countries.

Let me stress that governments cannot act alone, especially in times of tight budget. Mobilising private investment is essential to achieve our shared goals. We must deepen partnerships with the private sector, financial institutions, and social enterprises to unlock financing for skills development, social protection, and poverty eradication, while working hand in hand with social partners and civil society. Multilateral partners, in particular the International Labour Organization, are also crucial. 

This Political Declaration underpinned by the Sevilla Commitment can form the basis of a renewed global social contract, grounded in solidarity, in international cooperation, in human and labour rights. 

The next high level meeting to follow up on progress will be in six years. Let us not waste any time. We are looking forward to working together to turn this Political Declaration into tangible progress in people’s lives. 

Thank you.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.