5 February 2015: The UN marked the 20th anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) during the 53rd Session of the Commission on Social Development (CSocD). The WSSD took place in 1995, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The CSocD is tasked with the follow-up and implementation of the WSSD’s outcome document, the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. The priority theme for the CSocD’s 2015-2016 review and policy cycle is ‘Rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world.’

Addressing the anniversary event on 5 February 2015, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the WSSD had reoriented thinking by calling for the “integrated nature of social, economic and environmental pursuits – and emphasized the need to place people at the centre of development.” He said 2015 must be a year of global action to adopt a new development agenda and realize the WSSD commitments to social development and social justice.

Denis Antoine, UNGA Acting President, said the WSSD outcome has particular relevance in 2015, noting that its three focal points of poverty eradication, full and productive employment and decent work for all, and social integration remain priorities for global development.

Other statements, speeches, and panel discussions addressed the themes of ‘Social development: From Copenhagen to the Post-2015 Development Agenda’ and ‘Rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world.’

CSocD 53 is convening on 4-13 February 2015, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. [UN Secretary-General Remarks] [Acting UNGA President Remarks] [UN Press Release] [CSocD 53 Website] [IISD RS Coverage of World Summit for Social Development, 1995]