Mr. Chairman,
Mr.
Under Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs,
Distinguished
Ministers of Government,
Distinguished
Delegates,
Allow me to express my congratulations to you and the bureau on your
election. The work of the Commission could not be in safer and more competent
hands. You can be assured sir, of our complete support and cooperation
during this important session.
I am particularly honoured to address this 43 rd session of the Commission
for Social Development on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, in a significant
year for the United Nations. This event is taking place at a time when
a number of high level reports and reviews are being considered as a
basis for action at the 60 th Session of the General Assembly.
Mr. Chairman,
In this review year of the Millinnium Development Goals (MDGs), we
recognize the synergy that exists between the MDGs and the goals of Copenhagen,
certainly in terms of the targets to be achieved by 2015 in relation
to poverty, hunger, literacy, health and infant mortality. We are encouraged
by the conclusions of the Millennium Project Report, which point to the
possibility of achieving success in these areas, provided that agreed
ODA obligations are met. We strongly urge our partners in the developed
world to meet these commitments.
Progress towards the MDGs also signifies progress for the Copenhagen
Programme, with its goal of comprehensively addressing social development,
encompassing such areas as poverty reduction, the creation of an enabling
economic environment, human rights, equality, peace, human dignity and
ethical values, all of which form part of promoting the betterment of
the human condition. For us in the developing world, the biggest challenge
is the availability of resources to finance programmes for implementation.
Mr. Chairman,
The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme for Action adopted in 1995
and the outcome of the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly
in 2000, remain the central points of reference for action in the field
of social development for the international community, as well as at
the national level. Today, the Group of 77 and China, reaffirms its commitment
to fulfilling all the goals agreed at Copenhagen, in particular those
relating to the three core themes of poverty eradication, full employment
and social integration.
We are grateful to the Secretary-General for his Report on the review
of the further implementation of the World Summit for Social Development
and the outcome of the twenty-fourth special session of the General
Assembly, contained in document E/CN.5.2005/6. This report provides
a comprehensive and thoughtful analysis of the progress made over the
decade since Copenhagen and directions that could be taken in ensuring
that the goals and objectives are achieved. His overall assessment
is one of mixed results. There have been advances, but there has also
been stagnation and setbacks.
Mr. Chairman,
In relation to the first commitment of Copenhagen, that of creating
an enabling political, social, cultural and legal environment for social
development, there have been both positive and negative trends. In the
political and institutional arena there have been increased moves towards
democratization, a general awareness of the need for respect for human
rights and increasing civil society participation and partnerships with
governments for social development.
In principle there is now greater understanding with regard to the
economic environment necessary for social development. From a philosophical
point of view, there is now wider acceptance that market reforms and
structural adjustment programmes must pay attention to their social impact,
if they are to be sustainable. However, the institutional framework for
policy-making at both the national and international levels still needs
to be strengthened to fully integrate economic and social policies.
A crucial element of the economic environment is the undeniable reality
of globalisation and interdependence. Significant gains have been recorded
by many countries, particularly in the developed world. Yet for many
countries in the South, the benefits of globalisation, of transfer of
technology and improved access of goods and services for developing countries
to international markets, are not being realized. Some also suffer from
the imposition of punitive and discriminatory policies. Hence we continue
to advocate for mechanisms to ensure a fair equitable process of globalisation,
where all are given an opportunity to benefit.
Mr. Chairman,
With regard to the three main themes of poverty eradication, full employment,
and social integration, successes have been recorded but in some critical
areas, there is much left to be done.
Poverty reduction has assumed high priority for national governments
and the international community since the Social Summit. National poverty
reduction targets and the formulation of poverty eradication plans and
strategies have produced uneven results across the regions.
It is notable that the level of extreme poverty in China fell from
33% to 18% of the population between 1990 and 1999, and that the transition
economies have seen a reversal in the poverty rates in the 1990s. And
while most of Asia and North Africa are on course to meeting the MDG
target for poverty reduction, there has been little or no progress in
sub-Saharan Africa and in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Poverty therefore remains
a formidable challenge. The Secretary-General’s
report indicates that as a result of low or uneven growth in 2000, more
than 1.1 billion people worldwide are struggling to survive on less than
$1 a day, and more than twice as many on less than $2 a day. It notes
further, that in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean,
Western Asia and Eastern Europe the number of poor people increased by
102 million. In addition, in South Asia, home to almost 500 million poor,
the total number has hardly changed from 1990 to 1999.
Mr. Chairman,
The G-77 and China is deeply concerned, particularly with the situation
of Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) which continue to
face marginalisation and severe human suffering. There is an urgent need
for international action through provision of substantial resources to
meet immediate needs. We believe that long-term solutions should also
be sought through such initiatives as external debt reduction, investment
in infrastructure, capacity building and the removal of obstacles to
market access and halting the spread of infectious diseases, particularly
HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Mr. Chairman,
The goal of full employment is still a long way off. Since Copenhagen
there has been a rise in unemployment levels, globally. It is estimated
that in 2003, 186 million people were unemployed, as compared with 140
million in the previous decade. Job growth in developing countries in
particular, has largely been in the informal sector and in marginal activities,
with very low wages. And on one hand while it is noted that there has
been an increase in the number of women employed, indications are that
there is still marginalization in relation to wages and working conditions.
While the overall trend in employment creation is negative, there are
major variations across regions and economic groups. Among developed
countries as a whole unemployment rates declined, whilst much of the
developing world have experienced rising unemployment. Of particular
concern is youth unemployment, with rates in the age group 15-24 on average
two to three times higher than other groups.
Social exclusion remains a problem in many countries but there is evidence
that significant strides have also been made in plans and programmes
to improve the situation of vulnerable groups, such as persons with disabilities
and older persons. We expect efforts to continue to strengthen modalities
to implement the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing and we welcome the progress
being made towards the development of an international convention for
persons with disabilities.
Mr. Chairman,
The G-77 and China has used many opportunities to address its particular
concern with such issues as the impact of diseases, and natural disasters.
The tsunami, which devastated parts of Asia and Africa and the experience
of the Caribbean with disastrous hurricanes, have served to highlight
a critical dimension of the vulnerabilities of developing countries.
We commend the tremendous show of solidarity and generousity on the part
of the international community which reinforces the importance of strengthening
global partnerships between rich and poor countries to promote development.
Finally, Mr. Chairman,
A people-centered approach to development should form the axis of our
deliberations. As the Secretary-General has noted, this approach has
not lost its relevance and appeal, but has been neglected in many quarters
and has been threatened by recent developments on the international scene.
Social and economic development cannot truly be accomplished if those
to whom they should cater are ignored in the process. The strengthening
of national and international mechanisms towards the full implementation
of the Copenhagen Programme needs greater efforts of both national governments
and the international community working together. To achieve this, the
G-77 and China pledges and calls for support and strengthening of the
Commission for Social Development as the primary institution for the
follow-up and review of the Summit and for the promotion of implementation.
The Declaration to be adopted at the 43 rd Session of this Commission
should reaffirm the political will of our governments to implement policies
and programmes to achieve the goals of Copenhagen and make a valuable
contribution to the strengthening of multilateral cooperation at the
60 th Session of the General Assembly.
Thank you.
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