Introductory remarks
by
H.E. MR. HARRI HOLKERI
President of the General Assembly
regarding the discussion
of the General Assembly
on the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development
and of the special session of the General Aassembly in this regard
31 October
2000
Last summer we completed
the 5-year review of the World Summit for Social Development. The Political
Declaration and the 5-year review document of the Special session of the General
Assembly underline the need to focus our attention and efforts to achieve more
equitable, socially just and people-centred societies.
There are about forty substantial initiatives or new international agreements
for action in the Declaration. One of the most important ones is the call for
a rigorous analysis of advantages, disadvantages and other implications of proposals
for developing new and innovative sources of funding, both public and private,
for social development and poverty eradication programmes. A study into the
new sources of revenue, including a currency transaction tax, Tobin tax, and
others alike, might lead the way to better or more effective global public management
of the international financial system. In the decisions made by the 5-year review
of the World Summit for Social Development, there was a strong call for a need
to reduce the volatility of international finances and of managing the crises
better, to protect the social services during crises. This topic may also be
further elaborated in the forthcoming Financing for Development event next year.
Another initiative called for all United Nations agencies to integrate health
policies more effectively into their programmes, including action through trade
agreements and increased incentives for research to improve access of developing
countries to affordable and effective pharmaceuticals, as well as action to
strengthen workers rights and social protection of the most vulnerable of our
society. There was an agreement to the target of access to basic education for
all by 2015 and an agreement on the importance of positive and affirmative action
to achieve gender equality. The concept of corporate social responsibility was
added to the international agenda for the first time in the 5-year review of
the World Social Summit, last summer.
Furthermore, there was an agreement on the global target for poverty reduction,
of halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. There
are about 1.2 billion people among us today living with less than a dollar a
day. A decision to start a more integrated global campaign to reduce poverty
was taken. Subsequently, preparations for an international employment strategy,
with ILO in the lead, are being undertaken, with plans to hold a global employment
forum next year.
My short introductory note to this agenda item cannot encompass the entirety
of the debate and all the results of the special session. I may only say that
in the follow-up to the 5-year review, there are urgent actions to be undertaken
for all constituencies of our society, at international, regional and national
levels, and to all players of the society, including the governments and the
civil society actors.
Finally, I would like to quote from the Political Declaration of Geneva, "At
the dawn of the new millennium, aware of our responsibilities towards future
generations, we are strongly committed to social development, including social
justice for all in a globalising world. We invite all people in all countries
and in all walks of life, as well as the international community, to join in
a renewed dedication to our shared vision for a more just and equitable world".
May these words guide our debate today.