** In light of the evolving COVID-19 situation and taking the latest guidance from the United Nations Secretary-General and the World Health Organization (WHO), the CSocD59 will take place this year “largely” online.
Please note that the opening and closing are expected to take place in-person and will be limited to one representative per delegation. On seating arrangements, we will provide more information in due course.
Participants should avoid making travel plans. Thank you for your continuing engagement and interest in the work of the Commission for Social Development. For more information about COVID-19, please visit https://www.un.org/coronavirus **
The 59th session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) will take 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.
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.
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 (designate) | Argentina |
Vice-Chairpersons | Ms. Julie Oppermann (designate) | Luxembourg |
Ms. Sharifa Yousef A. S. Alnesf
|
Qatar
|
|
Mr. Michel Kouadjo Kouakou (designate) |
Côte d’Ivoire
|
Organization of the Session
- Current membership (as of 21 July 2020)
- Proposed organization of work (as of 18 December 2020)
Official Documents
- Provisional annotated agenda and proposed organization of work
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉 - Socially just transition towards sustainable development: the role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉 - Social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉 - Policies and programmes involving youth
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉 - Statute of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉
- Nomination of members of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉 - Report of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development English | Français | Español | Русский | عربي | 汉
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.
Preparations
- EGM on “Socially just transition towards sustainable development: The role of digital technologies on social development and well-being of all”
In preparation for the CSocD59, UNDESA in collaboration with ITU and UNCTAD convened a virtual Expert Group Meeting on the priority theme from 4 to 7 August 2020.
NGO Participation
- UNDESA facilitates the participation of NGOs in the sessions of the CSocD. NGOs that are accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) may designate representatives to attend the annual sessions of the CSocD. Learn more about the UN ECOSOC accreditation.
- Modalities of NGO Participation and Registration: The deadline is 27 January 2021.
- Sign up for NGOs to express interest in delivering an oral statement: The deadline is 25 January 2021.
- NGO Written Statements
Side Events
Please read very carefully the instructions! before you apply for a virtual side event during the CSocD59. The deadline for submission is NOW 18 January 2021 by 11:30 p.m. New York Time.
** Please note that each side event organizer is responsible for hosting and choosing their virtual event platform.**
The first draft list of side-events will be available for registrants on 20 January 2021 and the list of confirmed side-events will be posted on 22 January 2021 on our website: http://bit.ly/un-csocd59.
Online Application Form for Side Events
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.
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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