Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am honoured to join you in commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development. As other speakers before me have stated, the summit marked a critical milestone. World leaders gathered at Copenhagen agreed to advance inclusive social and economic policies that put people at the center of development. Indeed, the Copenhagen Declaration was a clear indication that priorities were changing, putting people and their well-being, first.
Without a doubt, however, the journey since Copenhagen has faced many challenges. Yet, there are also many noteworthy successes.
There has been enormous progress since 1995, in:
- reducing the rates of extreme poverty,
- expanding access to education for many, especially for girls,
- improving health outcomes, and
- promoting social inclusion of disadvantaged groups.
But progress has been uneven, and the COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that the gains are fragile. Forging a better, more sustainable path to recovery calls for Governments, the private sector, and civil society to adapt their roles and responsibilities. It calls for re-imagining the social contract – as pointed out by the Secretary-General – in order to address the root causes of inequality and vulnerability.
Due to the pandemic, many countries are now moving further away from the World Summit’s goal of ensuring full employment and decent work. Within a very short period of time, the global health crisis quickly turned into a social and economic crisis. Millions of people have lost jobs and livelihoods. Many can no longer rely on work to provide economic security.
At the same time, changes in the world of work, globalization and technological breakthroughs have led to an increase in hopes and aspirations. Yet, they have also led to an increase in insecurities and vulnerable employment. These challenges are compounded by the growing threats from climate change. Governments and other stakeholders must work together to safeguard people’s ability to cope, recover from shocks, and thrive.
The long-term outcomes to the current crisis are determined by how we respond. Without decisive actions, the negative social effects can last for years – well beyond the end of the pandemic. They may even leave a mark on future generations.
Excellencies,
Recovering better from the pandemic requires a strengthened commitment to quality public services that promote:
- equal opportunity;
- universal social protection systems that foster economic security; and
- robust public institutions that ensure equal rights.
No country, rich or poor, has yet succeeded in giving all children the same opportunities, regardless of economic or social background. Promoting equal opportunity calls for ensuring access to inclusive, quality education, health care and other basic services. The current crisis demonstrates that health care systems are only as effective as the care they provide to the most vulnerable.
Promoting equal opportunity also means investing in labour institutions. Labour regulations and employment contracts are needed to provide decent work and job security. This requires fundamental rights at work and an adequate wage, regardless of workers’ employment status. There is also space for job-guarantee programmes to address needs in the care economy. And, for building the necessary infrastructure for a transition to green economies.
Distinguished Delegates,
Fostering economic security is imperative. It calls for implementing universal, comprehensive social protection systems – including by promoting re-distributive fiscal policies. The Covid-19 crisis has shown that economic security is not only a right, but a social good. Without access to social protection, workers have had to choose between their health and that of others—and economic hardship.
Social protection systems minimize the risk of falling into poverty. These can include income security measures at all stages of the life cycle, such as:
- unemployment and disability benefits,
- child benefits,
- old-age pensions, and
- access to health care
While targeted measures may be necessary to reach those individuals and groups most in need, they should complement universal programmes, rather than replace them.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In conclusion, broad and enduring progress in human well-being requires a collective effort at all levels. The need to advance more effective and inclusive policies – especially in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals – remains our guiding focus.
Indeed, world leaders at the Copenhagen Summit in 1995 agreed that lasting success requires a coalition of all actors, working together toward the same objectives. This sentiment – of the need for a strengthened multilateralism and global solidarity – is even more critical today.
Let us continue on this path to advance humankind’s enormous potential, and help shape a better future, for all.
I thank you.