59th Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD59

The Commission for Social Development concluded its fifty-ninth session on 17 February 2021, forwarding four draft resolutions, all without a vote, to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for consideration, including one that addressed this year’s priority theme for the 46-member subsidiary body — the role of digital technologies on social development and the well-being of all.

In closing remarks, Commission Chair Ambassador Ms. María del Carmen Squeff (Argentina) thanked delegates and civil society representatives alike for actively participating in open, frank and interactive discussions.  The resolution on the priority issue — “Socially just transition towards sustainable development:  the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all” — acknowledges that digital technologies have profoundly transformed global societies.  It also recognizes the digital divide within and among countries, and between generations and genders. Read more…

youtube icon Watch the opening session | youtube icon Watch the closing session

youtube icon Watch archived videos of the CSocD59 main sessions

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The 59th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) took place from 8 to 17 February 2021 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Commission is the advisory body responsible for the social development pillar of global development.

Priority Theme

Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all.

Emerging Issue

Social policy to promote a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery: building back better post-COVID-19 for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development

Review of relevant United Nations plans and programmes of action pertaining to the situation of social groups

(i) Outcome document of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and other internationally agreed development goals for persons with disabilities: the way forward, a disability-inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond;
(ii) World Programme of Action for Youth;
(iii) Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002;
(iv) Family issues, policies and programmes.

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Video Message from H.E. Ms. María del Carmen Squeff, Chair of UN 59th Commission for Social Development

Message from H.E. Ms. María del Carmen Squeff, Chair of UN 59th Commission for Social Development

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Virtual Informal Briefing

  • A virtual informal briefing will be convened by the Chair of the Commission, on the preparations of the CSocD59. The briefing will take place on 19 January 2021 at 10 am at UN Headquarters in New York. 

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Members of the Bureau

The Bureau of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD) plays a vital role in facilitating the preparation for, and in ensuring the successful outcome of the session. The Bureau for the 59th session (2021) comprises the following members:

Function Name Country
Chair
 H.E. Ms. María del Carmen Squeff Argentina
Vice-Chairpersons Ms. Julie Oppermann Luxembourg
 
Ms. Sharifa Yousef A. S. Alnesf
Qatar
  Mr. Michel Kouadjo Kouakou
Côte d’Ivoire
  Mr. Nikola NENOV
Bulgaria

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Organization of the Session

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Official Documents

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Draft Resolutions

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High-level Panel Discussions

List of Panellists (as of 11 February 2021)
Bios of Panellists (as of 9 February 2021)

CSocD59 HLPT
Priority Theme “Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all”, 8 February 2021, 3pm-5pm, virtual meeting 

Ministerial Forum: “Promoting multilateralism to realize inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development and its social dimensions”, 9 February 2021, 10 am-12 pm, virtual meeting 
Ministerial Forum: “Promoting multilateralism to realize inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery from COVID-19 in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development and its social dimensions”, 9 February 2021, 10 am-12 pm, virtual meeting 

Emerging issues: Social policy to promote a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery: Building back better post COVID-19 for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, 10 February 2021, 10am-12pm, virtual meeting
Emerging issues: Social policy to promote a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery: Building back better post COVID-19 for the achievement of the 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development, 10 February 2021, 10am-12pm, virtual meeting

Panel discussion: Interactive dialogue with senior officials of the UN Systems on the priority theme, 10 February 2021, 3pm-5pm, virtual meeting
Panel discussion: Interactive dialogue with senior officials of the UN Systems on the priority theme, 10 February 2021, 3pm-5pm, virtual meeting

Multi-stakeholder Forum on the priority theme, 12 February 2021, 3pm-5pm, virtual meeting 
Multi-stakeholder Forum on the priority theme, 12 February 2021, 3pm-5pm, virtual meeting 

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Preparations

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NGO Participation

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CSF 2021

Civil Society Forum 

The NGO Committee for Social Development follows and echoes the work of the Commission, amplifying the many voices that are left behind and highlighting local examples of resilience, solidarity and hope moving forward communities in spite of the systemic obstacles they face every day. 

For the first time ever, the NGO Committee held a 5-days Virtual Civil Society Forum (CSF 2021), free and open to all. The CSF 2021 included an all virtual Orientation and Networking event, three Thematic Sessions and a Closing Session. Flyer of the Forum.

Download the Civil Society Declaration

Watch the videos of the Civil Society Forum below:

CSocD59 Civil Society Forum Thematic Session 1       CSocD59 Civil Society Forum Thematic Session 2
CSocD59 Civil Society Forum Thematic Session 3       CSocD59 Closing of the Civil Society Forum

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Side Events

Download the draft list of side events (as of 24 January 2021)

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DESA Social Milestones

UN DESA’s Social Milestones Project

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and support the 75th anniversary of the UN and CSocD, UN DESA launched on 11 February 2020 an interactive timeline of inclusive social development milestones. The accessible and user-friendly web platform presents 169 milestones in a chronological order, with links to relevant United Nations documents and diverse multimedia sources. UN DESA Social Milestones Project enhances the accessibility of the repository of knowledge on social development.

Click here to access the online platform.

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Everyone Included COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak affects all segments of the population and is particularly detrimental to members of those social groups in the most vulnerable situations, continues to affect populations, including people living in poverty situations, older persons, persons with disabilities, youth, and indigenous peoples. Early evidence indicates that the health and economic impacts of the virus are being borne disproportionately by poor people. 

We need solidarity, political will and innovative policy action to protect vulnerable people and their well-being, and uphold the right to health, including access to information, care and medical services.

* When Everyone is Included, Everyone Benefits. *

Learn more about ‘Everyone Included: Social Impact of COVID-19’.

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