EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Hearing with Member States on the World Social Summit

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EU Statement - UN General Assembly: Hearing with Member States on the World Social Summit

28.10.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York

28 October 2024, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly: Hearing with Member States on the World Social Summit

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Excellencies,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

Opening

Let me start by thanking the Co-facilitators for this consultation. We welcome that the negotiations are conducted in an open, inclusive and transparent manner and we are looking forward to hearing from all delegations.

I would also like to express our appreciation to all the work done by the Co-Facilitators so far as well as to express our full support for your role in the months to come.

Process

We are looking forward to actively participating in the Summit, together with all delegations, UN system, and a broad representation of civil society and social partners, including workers' and employers' organizations, youth representatives, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples and many other relevant stakeholders.

We are particularly pleased to be recognizing the role and positive contributions of the International Labour Organization and its constituents, namely Governments, employers and workers, to promote social justice and decent work for all. We emphasize the importance of the ILO's role in contributing to a renewed global social contract, ensuring that decent work, social justice, and full and productive employment remain priorities in the face of current global challenges. In this context, we are glad to be inviting the United Nations specialized agencies to participate in the Summit at the Head of State or the highest possible level and to contribute to the preparation of the Summit.

EU Priorities

Renewing the global social contract through a comprehensive approach based on human rights, fundamental freedoms and labour standards is key to build trust, social cohesion and solidarity towards a universal and lasting peace based upon social justice.

Our prioritiesinclude: poverty eradication, reduction of inequalities; decent work, full and productive employment, social dialogue, adherence to international labour standards, social protection, economies of care, health and wellbeing, and social justice, addressing transformative challenges in the world of work, such as those posed by demographic, ecological and digital transitions, thereby contributing to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals, and to social integration.Social justice, equality and the eradication of povertyare our fundamental aims enshrined in the Treaty on European Union. They are also reflected in the Global Gateway investment portfolio, which is open to actions in social sectors such as education, training, health and social protection.

The EU and its Member States promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a priority across all areas of action. We are equally committed to solidarity between generations and the realization of the fundamental human rights of persons with disabilities, as well as the rights of older persons and young persons.

Strengthening participation and inclusion of young persons in the labour market is crucial for promoting social cohesion, and as such, their voices and perspectives should be part of the Summit. Social protection is particularly important for children, given their greater vulnerability compared to adults, and the role that social protection can play in ensuring adequate nutrition and access to and use of social services.

It is also crucial to ensure a just transition to a green economy that promotes social inclusion and provides opportunities for all workers, particularly in vulnerable sectors and guarantee equitable opportunities and protection for workers in the digital economy.

Timeline

It would be very important to ensure that we can devote the time and resources needed to work on this crucial process. Therefore, we would very much appreciate if the WSS political declaration negotiations did not overlap with CSocD and the related negotiations.

Closing

We remain committed to engage constructively and in the spirit of cooperation in the upcoming negotiations on the concise, action-oriented political declaration in view of reaching consensus ahead of the Summit.