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, 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.

The world requires solidarity and multilateral cooperation to foster peace, to give momentum towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in all their dimensions and to recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and its Program of Action, address the gaps in its implementation, as well as identify answers to new challenges that have emerged since the Copenhagen Summit.

In this context, we would like to recall that the recently adopted Pact for the Future represents a critical milestone and a way forward for a strengthened and reinvigorated multilateral system that can deliver on its promises, leaving no one behind.

The upcoming World Social Summit offers an opportunity for the world to renew the social contract through a comprehensive human-centred approach based on human rights, social cohesion, solidarity and decent work, and thereby progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. It should be anchored in human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. It is also crucial to ensure a fair and just transition to a sustainable, green and digital economy that promotes social inclusion and social justice and provides fair opportunities for all persons, starting from the those most vulnerable. Reducing inequalities is a prerequisite to strengthen social cohesion. Social and solidarity economies can serve an important vehicle to tackle the twin transitions and enable sustainable growth. It is important also to recognize the mutually reinforcing nature of economy and social policies.

The benefits and opportunities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the world of work can only be maximized and fairly distributed across the entire population if human rights and social inclusion are at the forefront. This can only be ensured through effective social dialogue and collective bargaining.

In 2024, and for the first time in recorded history, the global average temperature officially exceeded the ones of pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C and the globe has continued to face a series of climate-related disasters. It is crucial to effectively follow up on the Paris Pact for People and the Planet (4P). In line with the principles of the European Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights, the European Union is committed to a fair transition towards a climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050 that leaves no one behind.

The EU is committed to fairness and solidarity between generations and calls for the implementation of the Declaration on Future Generations.  As regards the external dimension of social protection, the EU aims to support long-term sustainable, adequate and shock-responsive national social protection systems in partner countries. 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. Strengthening participation of 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 cohesion and intergenerational fairness.

Social protection is particularly important for children, given their greater vulnerability compared to adults in order to foster equal opportunities since childhood.  The EU and its Member States are committed to reducing the number of persons at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU by at least 15 million people by 2030, out of which at least 5 million should be children. The European Child Guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion. It assures access to a set of key services for children in need, and thus also contributes to upholding the rights of the child. The Youth Action Plan (YAP) in EU external action 2022 – 2027, a joint Communication by the Commission and the High Representative, is a first ever policy framework for a strategic partnership with young persons around the world. It provides the necessary tools to empower young persons to engage in decision-making and policy-making in a meaningful and inclusive way. Ensuring the full participation of older persons in economic, social and political life while protecting them from age-related discrimination is equally important to fostering fairness and solidarity between generations. The EU and its Member States are dedicated to promoting 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, not least by examining ways to implement the recommendations of the Open Ended Working Group on Ageing, and subsequently by the UNGA on gaps in the existing international framework.

Promoting equal rights, equal treatment and equal opportunities for all, including equal pay for work of equal value, is one of the EU’s founding principles. 2025 will mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which outlines commitments made 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 action. The EU and its Member States 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 and gender identity.

Chair,

We look forward to rich discussions at this 63rd 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.