Inequality Worsening Even as Unprecedented Scientific, Technological Advances Drive Progress, Secretary-General Tells Commission for Social Development

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message, delivered by Lenni Montiel, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, to the Commission for Social Development, in New York today:

The Commission for Social Development meets at a time of global contradictions.  Unprecedented scientific and technological advances are driving progress, yet inequality is worsening.  Globalization is asymmetric; resources, goods and services move freely, but they do not always reach those who need them.  And all too often the movement of people is restricted.

There has been significant progress over recent decades in eradicating extreme poverty, improving health care and education, and ensuring the delivery of other essential development services for people the world over.  The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets the bar even higher, with its universal and indivisible set of Goals that aim to leave no one behind.

Let us make no mistake:  these are challenging times.  Conflicts are reversing decades of hard-won improvements in social well-being, and discriminatory exclusionary practices widen the gap between rich and poor.  Even in peaceful societies, prosperity has not been shared.  This year, the number of jobless people is expected to exceed 201 million — and another 2.7 million could be added to the unemployment rolls by 2018.  Anxiety is mounting as societies cope with urbanization, climate change, population growth and other mega trends.

In this uncertain environment, I welcome your focus on strategies for eradicating poverty in all its forms to achieve sustainable development for all.  The new Agenda requires a redefinition of traditional planning, monitoring and delivery of sustainable development objectives.  Unlike the Millennium Development Goals, the Sustainable Development Goals require whole-of-society approaches involving public and private partners.  They also call for a new set of tools and policies tailored to the national context.  Your work here will help to complete unfinished business.  Your guidance will allow our United Nations country teams and the Secretariat to better tailor our support to meet countries’ specific needs.

I am committed to integrating the United Nations’ work for peace, sustainable development and human rights.  Sustainable development is an end in itself.  Sustainable and inclusive development is also the best way to secure and ensure lasting peace.  In this effort, we must give top priority to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Societies are strong and vibrant when they appreciate diversity as an asset rather than fearing it as a threat.  Towards this end, I encourage you to support the United Nations “Together” campaign, which is addressing rising xenophobia, promoting non-discrimination and fostering global solidarity.

I wish you great success in advancing social development as part of our commitment to ensuring a life of dignity for all.