Madam Vice President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for participating in today’s special briefing on the World Social Report 2024, titled Social Development Amidst Converging Crises.
My special thanks to Her Excellency Ms. Maritza Chan, Vice President of ECOSOC, for chairing this session.
I would also like to express my thanks to His Excellency Mr. Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC for his support.
Colleagues,
Thirty years ago, the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen placed people squarely at the centre of development.
That vision of leaving no one behind, is also at the core of the 2030 Agenda.
Since 1995, progress has been made in many countries, but gaps and challenges remain.
Today, amid a world in upheaval, less than a fifth of the SDG targets are on track. Nearly half show insufficient progress, and over a third are stalled or in reversal.
Social development has been battered.
Shocks that might have previously been contained have turned into crises for people worldwide, especially those already vulnerable.
I wish to highlight four points.
First, we have seen the devastating impacts of these crises on poverty, hunger, unemployment and inequalities.
As extreme poverty rates are returning to pre-pandemic levels in many countries, the story is different for low-income countries.
Our estimates in the World Social Report 2024, indicate just how persistent the impact of the crises of the past few years has been.
By 2030, we can expect a cumulative loss of about 50 trillion US dollars in global output, relative to pre-pandemic estimates.
Had those resources been realized and directed towards improving people’s lives, the gains to social development would have been immense.
Second, the multiple, overlapping crises of the last few years have pushed many countries closer to debt distress. These crises constrained fiscal space just when greater SDG investments are needed.
Third, our report emphasizes that national measures and global and regional collective action must urgently come together to advance social development in these times.
For example, in many countries, national measures to eradicate poverty, promote inclusiveness and advance social protection can only be effective if international collaboration is successful in easing debt burdens and helping restore fiscal space.
Fourth, we have a unique opportunity to support such concerted action.
The Summit of the Future in coming September, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in July 2025, and the Second World Summit for Social Development in November 2025 offer a pathway to forge a consensus that would update the Copenhagen declaration for our times.
UN-DESA remains fully committed to work with you to help realize the vision for social development that is embedded in the 2030 Agenda.
I look forward to our continuing engagement.
Thank you!