EU Statement - 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development: General Discussion

Madam Chair,

I have the honour 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 as well as Armenia, align themselves with this statement.

First, I would like to thank the Bureau and UN-DESA for their hard work preparing for this session.

At the World Social Summit in Doha, we recommitted to placing the social dimension of sustainable development at the heart of the global agenda and to accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2030. The Doha Political Declaration underpinned by the Sevilla Commitment forms the basis of a renewed global social contract, grounded in solidarity, in international principles and cooperation, and in human rights, including social, cultural and labour rights. The World Social Summit is a clear demonstration that multilateralism and multilateral cooperation not only deliver but remain indispensable for the people and the planet. Only by working together we can eradicate poverty and hunger, reduce inequalities and ensure decent work for all. We welcome the recent COP30 decision on the Just Transition Work Programme which recognises the importance of human rights, labour rights, right to food, gender equality as well as meaningful and effective social dialogue and stakeholder engagement to implement just transition pathways aligned with the 1.5C target and thus underpins the urgent need to drive socially inclusive climate action.

We need to ensure competitive economies are built on just, inclusive, and sustainable green and digital transitions, that promote justice and provide fair and equal opportunities for all by following a Human Rights-Based Approach. Particular regard must be given to the most vulnerable, leaving no one behind.

The EU and its Member States take pride in placing social development and social justice at the heart of their policies, in a way that goes hand in hand with the promotion and protection of human rights. In the strive to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, targets for 2030 have been set that drive our ambition: on employment levels, lifelong learning – including reskilling and upskilling - and poverty reduction. The Union of Skills strategy focuses on strengthening education and expanding training for workers. The Quality Jobs Roadmap presented by the European Commission aims at promoting good working conditions, social dialogue and collective bargaining, supporting transitions and modernisation, and ensuring fairness in the world of work. This year, the European Commission will also adopt the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, to address the root causes of poverty, strengthen prevention and expand affordability and access to all basic and social services, protection and infrastructure. We will also present the mid-term review of the Social Economy Action Plan with new measures aiming to further strengthen the social economy ecosystem in Europe to amplify its social impact.

Internationally, the EU and its Member States are proud to be the world’s largest providers of Official Development Assistance, which contributes to eradicating poverty and hunger, reducing inequalities, promoting decent work and social inclusion, strengthening social protection systems, and advancing gender equality and the rights of persons with disabilities, inclusive and sustainable growth in our partner countries, as well as to promoting a safe and enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders.

Decent job creation needs to be at the core of our action as decent jobs for all - including for women and youth - is the most effective path towards an economy that works for people. Indeed, promotion of decent employment ensuring livelihoods and dignity continue to be key. Employment creation and decent jobs in the formal sector are not only a gainful road to social development but also a powerful tool to eradicate poverty. In many regions, economies are struggling to create enough decent jobs for the number of young people entering the labour market. We will continue to advance the principle of non-discrimination and efforts to eliminate child labour, forced labour and trafficking in all their forms. Promoting productivity growth and innovation are powerful engines to create more and better jobs.

To do so, governments cannot act alone. Mobilising private investment is essential, while working hand in hand with local communities, social partners and civil society. The EU is already contributing to this with the Global Gateway investment agenda implemented through the Team Europe approach. It is our strategy to build mutually beneficial partnerships with countries around the world centred around both hard infrastructure investments and soft measures.

Multilateral partners, particularly the ILO, are also crucial. The ILO’s international labour standards are the basis for working towards social development that is just, fair, inclusive, sustainable and equitable, in line with the 2030 Agenda and international human rights law.

We call upon all partners to place decent employment creation at the core of their investment programmes and to work with the ILO. Investing in education, skills, health, social protection, nutrition and accessible social services and infrastructure, is essential for sustainable development and job creation, especially at a time of significant demographic, political and environmental changes.

Strengthening labour force participation and decent work for all, with special focus on underrepresented groups, enhancing empowerment through education and training and up-and reskilling and facilitating inclusion of persons with disabilities, women and young persons as well as older persons in the labour market is crucial for promoting social equity. 

The EU and its Member States, as parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, are committed to respecting, protecting and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities across all policies ensuring their full, effective and meaningful participation and inclusion in all aspects of life. The Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides a framework for implementation of the UNCRPD at EU level.

The EU is committed to fairness and solidarity between generations. The European Child Guarantee aims to ensure equal opportunities to all children in the EU, by guaranteeing children in need free and effective access to key services such as early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, at least one healthy meal each school day and healthcare and effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing. The Youth Action Plan in EU external action 2022 – 2027, adopted by the Commission, empowers young persons to engage in decision-making and policymaking. The EU and its Member States are dedicated to the implementation of commitments under the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and strengthening the framework for the protection of the rights of older persons. We look forward to advancing our work regarding the human rights of older persons, ensuring their participation in all spheres of life, and to tackle ageism, age discrimination and all forms of violence. The EU will work to address protection gaps and promote the effective implementation of international standards in this regard while engaging with relevant UN bodies.

Promoting equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for all, is one of the EU’s founding principles. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action outlines our commitments at national, regional and global levels to achieve gender equality. The EU and its Member States promote women and girls’ full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and a life free from discrimination and violence. The empowerment of women and girls and their participation in decision-making processes is a priority across all areas of actions. We work to further strengthen protection against discrimination at the workplace, including discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, disability, age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Madam Chair,

Allow me to reiterate our support to the work of this Commission, which has the primary responsibility for the follow-up and the review of the Doha Political Declaration and the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. 

Chair,

We look forward to rich discussions at this 64th session of the Commission on Social Development. 

Thank you.

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