12 February 2016: Participants at the 54th annual session of the Commission on Social Development (CSocD54) identified areas where social policies can directly and indirectly promote economic and environmental benefits and social development and inclusion. As the first session of a UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) functional commission after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, CSocD54 contributed to defining the overall context for the Commission’s work, in order to advance progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and emphasized the need to strengthen the social pillar of sustainable development.

CSocD54 convened at UN Headquarters in New York, US, from 3-12 February 2016. It concluded the 2015-2016 review and policy cycle under the theme, ‘Rethinking and Strengthening Social Development in the Contemporary World.’ A Civil Society Forum took place in advance of the Commission, from 1-2 February.

CSocD54 adopted three draft resolutions for approval by ECOSOC, with the resolution on ‘Social Dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s development’ (E/CN.5/2016/L.5) requiring a vote following discussion on language relating to trade and “the right to development.” The Commission also reaffirmed poverty as the greatest challenge facing humanity.

The Commission’s work is “crucial in ensuring that the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs truly leave no one behind,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Reflecting that 2015 was a year of “global action,” he called for 2016 to be one of “global traction,” and for the Commission to address inequality and ensure social protection for all.

According to Lenni Montiel, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the adoption of the 2030 Agenda presents new challenges and opportunities for the Commission. He suggested that it promote progress in social development and address inequality and leaving no one behind, including through work on vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. He highlighted the need to create over 600 million new jobs by 2030 and improve conditions for the working poor.

In a keynote address to the Commission, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Youth, Ahmad Alhendawi, stressed the importance of access to quality jobs. He recommended strengthening national ownership and leadership to promote decent jobs for youth. On this topic, participants recognized the role of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Jobs for Youth initiative in fostering strategic alliance building, scaling up national action on green jobs and other initiatives, and mobilizing resources.

In discussions throughout the Session, UN Member States called for the Commission to address several challenges, including social exclusion, climate change adaptation and mitigation needs, access to basic services, decent jobs and quality education. Belgium, for the group of Friends of the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), suggested the Commission integrate the 2030 Agenda into its work.

Many countries supported the creation of social protection systems, including Brazil, Finland, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. Ghana shared its plan to build a social protection system as a strategy to achieve the SDGs and track its implementation through a monitoring and evaluation system. Switzerland observed that adding a social dimension to globalization includes a focus on social protection. Participants also recommended: improving the integration of social and economic policies and promoting policy coherence; addressing exclusion through education, good health and skills development; and promoting human rights and youth participation.

On accountability, participants highlighted the importance of partnerships to implement the 2030 Agenda, and recognized the role of civil society organizations and other stakeholders in pushing governments to implement the Agenda. The International Movement All Together in Dignity Fourth World suggested linking political officials’ re-election with SDG implementation.

In his report on the priority theme for the Commission’s session, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the international community must address the structural causes of development challenges and foster resilience to rethink and strengthen the social dimension of sustainable development. The report recommends: universal social policies, including social protection floors and essential public services; coherent, coordinated policymaking; and increased domestic resource mobilization (DRM) alongside international financial and technological cooperation and private sector resources. On SDG implementation, the report recommends that the Commission include thematic reviews of progress on the SDGs for consideration by the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development (HLPF) and make recommendations on how social development perspectives can improve implementation. The report further recommends inclusive monitoring frameworks and social impact assessments to measure progress in equality, social justice and participation, including strengthening national capacities for data collection and reporting and progress on data disaggregation.

The Secretary-General also produced reports and notes on: ‘Social Dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development;’ ‘Emerging issues: Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: moving from commitments to results for achieving social development;’ and ‘Implementation of the objectives of the International Year of the Family and its follow-up processes.’ [UN Press Release 1] [UN Press Release 2] [UN Press Release 3] [UN Press Release 4] [UN Press Release 5] [UN Press Release 6] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [Rethinking and strengthening social development in the contemporary world] [CSocD54 Website] [Civil Society Forum Programme] [Publication: Report on the fifty-fourth session (Updated 8 April)]