EU Presidency Statement - Social Development

Mr. Chairman,

It is my honour to speak on behalf of the European Union on items 97, 98 and 99 of the agenda, concerning the follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development and the Special Session of the General Assembly on this matter, on persons with disabilities, youth and the family as well as the follow-up to the World Assembly on Ageing. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta, and Turkey, as well as the EFTA country of the European Economic Area: Iceland align themselves with this statement.

Mr. Chairman,

At the Millennium Summit the Heads of State and Government acknowledged their individual and collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality, and equity. The protection of the most vulnerable was given high priority. A key challenge is to ensure that globalisation becomes a positive force that benefits all. The European Union is fully committed to the comprehensive implementation of the Millennium Declaration, including the development goals contained therein and the commitments agreed to in the major United Nations conferences and summits. With the conferences we have taken an important step towards a joint global agenda based on partnerships.

There is now wide agreement on the importance of the social component of development - the third leg upon which the concept of sustainable development rests. This is evidenced in the conclusions of the more recent UN Conferences. It has become one of the most important and challenging issue-areas confronting the international community. The European Union welcomes the commitments made in Johannesburg just a few weeks ago, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, where it was agreed that the social dimension of sustainable development should be strengthened and better integrated. The Summit also highlighted the need to promote the full integration of sustainable development objectives into programmes and policies of bodies that have a primary focus on social issues. In this context, the Johannesburg Plan emphasizes the importance of the follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development and of support to social protection systems. It also stresses the need to ensure that the balanced and mutually reinforcing dynamics of economic and social development continue to support sustainable development, inter alia by providing assistance to increase income-generating employment opportunities, taking into account the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The EU fully supports this dynamic relationship. In this regard, the EU considers gender and gender-specific policies to be of crucial importance since these policies are essential to strengthening women's full participation in society.

The Johannesburg Summit also highlighted the importance of fully integrating sustainable development objectives into programmes and policies within the social sector. The Summit emphasised the indivisibility of human dignity and resolved to speedily increase access to basic requirements such as clean water, sanitation, energy, health care, food security, decent employment, and the protection of bio-diversity. It was decided to take immediate and effective measures to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, and to elaborate and implement strategies for the elimination of child labour that is contrary to accepted international standards. The message is clear: There can be no sustainable development without social development.

Earlier this year crucial commitments were made in Monterrey at the International Conference on Financing for Development. Here, we specifically emphasized the importance of good governance and human rights for sustainable development. The need to invest in basic economic and social infrastructure and the importance of pension schemes as a social protection mechanism and a source of savings was also highlighted. The promotion of global partnerships - the Global Compact - was given high priority. Delivering on the commitments made at Monterrey and Johannesburg is essential for the implementation of the goals set out in the Millennium Declaration.

The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action constitute the blueprint for a worldwide social contract. These documents constitute milestone in the international community's acceptance of the overarching importance of social and human progress. In June 2000, the Heads of State and Government met once again to confirm their determination to implement the commitments to eradicate poverty and to ensure that globalisation was efficiently managed, so as to benefit the majority of the world's population.

We welcome the establishment of the International Forum for Social Development, which met for the first time in February 2002. Its overarching theme was "Open Societies, Open Economies: Challenges and Opportunities". We also welcome the establishment of the ILO's World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation, and look forward to its report in 2003. Furthermore, we look forward to the joint meeting of Second and Third Committee on 17 October on the International Forum for Social Development.

Mr. Chairman,

The priority theme for the 40th session of the Commission for Social Development concerned the interrelated nature of economic and social policies. The European Union joined the consensus on the agreed conclusions of the Commission in order to ensure the continuation of the process and underpin the credibility of the Commission. However, the European Union also expressed its disappointment that the agreed conclusions did not add substantively to previous discussions and agreements on social policy issues, nor did they adopt a pro-active approach to the integration of social and economic policies.

The Commission for Social Development should consider carefully how to improve the substance of its negotiated outcomes in order to better carry out its mandate as an expert and catalytic body. The European Union would also welcome improvements in the working methods of the Bureau. At the 40th session the first steps were taken to implement such necessary organisational changes. The European Union welcomes, inter alia, the decision to change the terms of office of the members of the Commission and the timing of electing its chair and other members of the Bureau. The EU also welcomes the efforts undertaken at the 40th session to engage the members of the Commission in a substantive dialogue with the representatives of other international organisations. It would particularly appreciate that further efforts are made to establish synergies and greater coherence with the work on the social dimension of globalisation being undertaken by the International Labour Organisation, notably in view of the ongoing work of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation.

The EU believes that the potential of the functional Commissions with regard to the implementation of the Millennium Declaration should be utilised more effectively. Therefore, their working methods should be reviewed on a systematic basis, to identify best practices and further a more dynamic dialogue between experts. In this regard, the EU welcomes the efforts made at this year's ECOSOC substantive session to strengthen its co-ordination and integration role and the role of its subsidiary bodies.

Mr. Chairman,

The EU also welcomes the outcome of the recent high-level segment at the Economic and Social Council on strengthening human resources, including the areas of health and education.

The EU furthermore appreciates the Security Council's consideration of wider issues that until now were beyond a narrow interpretation of international peace and security. Especially the recognition of the integral role of economic, social and humanitarian factors in preventing conflict and ensuring a rapid and sustainable post-conflict recovery.

Mr. Chairman,

The European Union would also like to draw attention to matters concerning persons with disabilities, young people, the family and the elderly. Determined to create a society for all, the EU considers the active participation of all sections of society as vital. In that respect, the International Year of Volunteers has shown the valuable contribution of volunteering to economic and social development, benefiting society at large, communities and the individual volunteer. Volunteerism is an important component of any strategy aimed at, inter alia, such areas as poverty reduction, sustainable development and social integration.

During the past year the strengthening of the protection and the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities has been given high priority within the UN - not only in the context of the General Assembly, but also in the Commission for Social Development and the Commission for Human Rights as well as in the specialised agencies and relevant funds and programmes. The European Union welcomes this stronger focus, which is in line with EU-priorities. Accordingly, the EU has chosen to proclaim 2003 as the European Year for the Disabled with the aim of raising awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities; to promote protection against discrimination and the full and equal enjoyment of their rights. We want to put disability rights high on the agenda of the European Union and its Member States.

The European Union recognises that an international legally binding instrument relating to the rights of disabled persons could be a useful tool in the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. The EU therefore welcomes the initial work accomplished by the Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, established by General Assembly Resolution 56/168.

In order to maintain consistency with the high quality of existing international standards and based on views and recommendations of human rights bodies, the Ad Hoc Committee discussed a number of fundamental questions relating to such a convention.

The EU welcomes the report of this first session of the Ad Hoc Committee, in particular the recommendations contained in its draft resolution, which it hopes will be adopted by the General Assembly.

The European Union welcomes the decision of the Commission for Social Development to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a period through the year 2005 to further the promotion and monitoring of the Standard Rules. The European Union also looks forward to continue the work on strengthening and supplementing the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

The decision to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur facilitates the multitrack-approach to the development of a disability dimension within the existing UN human rights monitoring system, as recommended by the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability and supported by the EU. The EU firmly believes that it is of the utmost importance to further mainstream disability as a human rights issue, into the implementation of the existing core United Nations human rights conventions and into their monitoring mechanisms. The drafting of a new convention should not be seen as an alternative to this process but rather as a necessary complement. The strengthened focus on disability within the existing international human rights system necessitates a more systematic exchange of information, experiences and ideas among UN bodies and organisations. The European Union welcomes the steps taken in this direction.

In preparation for the discussions on young people, which will be on the agenda for the Commission for Social Development in 2003, it is important to reflect on a more integrated and horizontal policy which would incorporate the interests of young people in the planning, decision-making and implementation processes of the UN. Founded on the principles of human dignity, equality and equity, the European Union is striving to promote maximum inclusiveness. Each of us has an important role in our society. Participation and integration of young people in societal projects is fundamental in building a society for all ages.

The outcome of the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children - A World fit for Children - has provided us with a solid basis for a strengthened effort to protect and promote the rights of children. The commitments made reflect a global will to strive for a world that is better fit for children.

Likewise, the European Union looks forward to the launch of the Tenth Anniversary of the International Year of the Family in December 2003. In this context, one of the EU priorities will be to pay special attention to the issue of reconciling work and family life.

Mr. Chairman,

As regards follow-up to the International Year of Older Persons, the European Union warmly welcomes the consensus obtained at the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held in Madrid in April 2002. It was a unique occasion to respond to the challenges and opportunities arising from the massive changes that are taking place in relation to ageing. Agreement was reached on a broad range of issues relating to three priority directions: older persons and development, advancing health and well-being into old age, and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. Commitments made will have a significant impact on the daily life of older persons in both developed and developing countries.

In order to follow up to the Madrid Political Declaration and International Plan of Action on Ageing, the regional conference of the Economic Commission for Europe held in Berlin in September 2002 agreed a Regional Implementation Strategy which provided a framework to support member states in responding effectively to the challenges and opportunities of population ageing in line with the goals, objectives and commitment of the International Plan of Action.

Mr. Chairman,

The provisions of the European Medium-Term Social Agenda adopted by the EU Heads of State and Government in Nice December 2001 as well as the Lisbon strategy adopted in June 2000 underlines the importance which the EU attaches to social cohesion and the integration of all groups in society. This priority is also reflected in the conclusions of the Barcelona European Council held on 15 to 16 March 2002. At the Spring meeting of the European Council in 2003, the Community's economic, social and environment policies as a whole will be reviewed and if necessary adjusted. The goal is to modernise the European social model so as to create a dynamic Union composed of active welfare States. Well-designed, properly functioning social systems should be seen as productive factors as they offer security against a background of change.

The European Union wishes to make the outcome of the Copenhagen Summit and its follow-up conference in Geneva operational. It will continue to promote lasting social development and combat poverty, as a prerequisite for shaping globalisation with a human face. The Member States of the European Union are determined to still further improve their social protection systems in all these respects. They undertake to continue the discussion on future social policies both within the Union and at the United Nations.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

| Arriba |

• EC statement on trade and development (11/11/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - Sustainable development (17/10/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - WSSD (2/9/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - Persons with disabilities (7/8/2002)
• EU Presidency statement - The 2nd World Assembly on Ageing (10/5/2002)
• EU Presidency Statement - UN ECE 57th Session on Ageing (10/5/2002)