Employment, Ageing, and Disability were the main topics discussed by the Commission for Social Development when it met from 6 to 15 February at United Nations Headquarters for its forty-sixth session.

As an outcome of the priority theme discussions, the Commission adopted all six resolutions calling on Member States to take actions to ensure that full employment and decent work are central objectives of national and international policies.

The Opening Session was addressed by Chairman of the Commission for Social Development Mr. Alexei Tulbur (Moldova), Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and Mr. Johan Schölvinck, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Mr. Carlos Tomada, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Protection of Argentina, delivered the keynote address on “Promoting full employment and decent work for all”, on 6 February.

A panel discussion on the priority theme addressed national and regional policies for promoting full employment and decent work.  Executive Secretaries from the five United Nations Regional Commissions presented preliminary findings of the review and appraisal of the Madrid International plan of Action on Ageing in each of their regions in another panel, on 8 February, while mainstreaming disability in the development agenda was discussed on 12 February.

In addition, the NGO Committee on Social Development, the Fredrich Ebert Foundation and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs convened a Civil Society Forum, on 5 February to discuss the theme “Making Copenhagen Work:  Decent Work for a Decent Life”.

Members of the Bureau: