Statement by

H.E. Mrs. Valentina MATVIENKO

Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the Russian Federation

Geneva, June 26th, 2000

 

Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. President, Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to address such a high-level forum convened at the dawn of the new millennium to continue the dialogue on strategic priorities of social development initiated in Copenhagen.

This special session of the United Nations General Assembly gives the international community yet another chance to learn the lessons from unprecedented social and economic shocks of the 20th century and by joint efforts to pave the way towards sustainable development and prosperity of the humanity.

The Secretary-General's Comprehensive Report on the Results of the Implementation of the Outcome of the World Summit for Social Development clearly shows that we have not yet made a breakthrough in achieving its agenda.

The radical changes in the way of living induced by globalization do not provide remedies for old social problems but instead create new risks and challenges.

The threat of global disaster as a result of nuclear confrontation has been substituted by such disgusting realities as transnational terrorism and organized crime, militant separatism and inter-ethnic divide, illicit trafficking in arms and narcotic drugs.

Not all the countries have gained access to the achievement of scientific and technological progress. A limited number of countries accommodating the socalled "golden billion" of the world's population have reached a new level of prosperity. The majority of other States in the 20' century did not manage to reach a higher standard of living and are now only approaching the frontiers of postindustrial society.

The gap between the world's richest and poorest is widening. To overcome this trend we must redesign the entire modern architecture of international cooperation. The social component has to be more clearly reflected in the activities of international financial and economic organizations.

Our goal is to make globalization become a tool for enhancing social and economic progress so that all the countries could use its benefits.

The United Nations should be a key element in achieving this goal. Russia stands for and will continue to stand for increasing the role and strengthening the authority of the United Nations in the 21 St century, including, inter alia, in the field of social and economic cooperation. We are convinced that social development issues should continue to be among the top priorities on the UN agenda for years ahead.

Mr. President,

Recently the countries with economies in transition have been more and more influencing the world's global developments. These countries are strongly determined to overcome social costs of transition, to eradicate poverty, to achieve full employment and to strengthen social integration. But their efforts still do not get an adequate response from the international community.

The Comprehensive Report of the Secretary-General gives a description of the aggravated situation in Eastern and Central Europe and the CIS countries but it does not indicate which additional measures should be taken at the international level to prevent social exclusion of millions of people in this region.

Russia is of the opinion that it is high time to hold a large-scale high-level regional conference under UN auspices to discuss the problems of social development of countries with economies in transition. Such a conference should focus on searching for new resources for these aims.

This forum should be attended by representatives of UN specialized agencies, funds and programmes, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, interested donors. Such a conference could be convened in Russia in 2002-2003.

I hope that this initiative will find a favourable response among all the participants of the special session, and especially among those leaders of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS that are present at this forum.

Mr. President,

There are few countries that have suffered as many tragic developments in the 20th century as Russia. We are fully aware that Russia is no longer capable to survive through yet another social shock or radical restructuring. The Russian Government is now concluding the elaboration of a long-term nation-wide development strategy aimed at overcoming the consequences of the recent crisis and creating favorable environment for effective social and economic growth.

The new programme of social and economic reforms is scheduled for consideration at the next meeting of the Cabinet in which I plan to take part immediately upon my return to Moscow.

When drafting the new strategic course the Russian authorities took due account of the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted, in Copenhagen. By taking into consideration the decisions of the Social Summit we have significantly increased the efficiency of the social policy. As of now the social protection of the population is target-oriented. State support is being provided precisely to those who are in need of it. When fighting against unemployment priority is given to the development of active programmes of employment aimed at adaptation of persons to the demands of the labour market.

"Russia is a rich country of poor people". These words of the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Vladimir Putin clearly and concisely describe our recent situation. Russia possesses not only a vast amount of natural resources and energy reserves. Our main wealth is an invaluable human capital. That is why the Russian Government has made its top priority to increase the incomes and the standards of living of the Russian people.

1999 was marked by visible improvements. Wages in the public sector were increased by 50 %, scholarships were doubled and pension grew up steadily.

The State budget for the year 2000 provides for significant increase in public spending for social purposes. Despite all the difficulties the Russian Government is dedicated to continue to increase budgetary assignments for the social protection system, education, healthcare and culture.

Yet another task of the Russian Government closely connected with finding solutions for social development problems is that of the continuous integration of the Russian economy into the world's economic structures. To achieve this goal we will actively support Russian businessmen, strongly oppose the discrimination of Russia on the world's markets of commodities, services and investments, strive for access to the World Trade Organization.

Mr. President,

To fully achieve the agenda of the social summit all nations have to work together.

Only be joining our efforts we could duly respond to the challenges of our time and to find reasonable solutions for global problems facing humanity.

I do believe that together we shall reach the noble goal to make the 21" century a century of social partnership and economic prosperity.