{"id":291396,"date":"2026-02-02T10:53:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T15:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/80\/?p=291396"},"modified":"2026-02-02T12:26:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:26:38","slug":"pga-remarks-at-the-64th-session-of-the-commission-for-social-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/pga\/80\/2026\/02\/02\/pga-remarks-at-the-64th-session-of-the-commission-for-social-development\/","title":{"rendered":"PGA Remarks at the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

H.E. Ms. Annalena Baerbock<\/strong><\/p>\n

at the <\/strong>64th<\/sup> Session of the Commission for Social Development <\/strong><\/p>\n

(Opening Segment)<\/strong><\/p>\n

2 February 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Conference Room 4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[As Delivered]<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Madam Chair,
\nExcellencies,
\nDear colleagues,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thank you for the opportunity to join this 64th Commission on Social Development.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At a time when the world is preoccupied with so many other pressing issues, it is important that we remain focused \u2013 as the theme of this session states \u2013 on Advancing Social Development and Social Justice through Coordinated, Equitable, and Inclusive Policies.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As I said in my \u2018priorities speech\u2019 to the Permanent Representatives, here I will relay to it again: the world does not only need the United Nations, the United Nations, in these times, needs the world.<\/p>\n

So, you, all of us, all governments, all civil society, all those who believe that we can be, indeed, better together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So therefore, it is very good to see so many Ministers here, and so much civil society engagement over the next days, in this week.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because we know that social development and justice are inherently linked to the other challenges we face. And if we would drop, especially in these times, our fight for equality, for justice, for social development, we would lose altogether.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As ending hunger and poverty is not only an act of charity. It is a matter of security and enlightened self-interest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hunger does not simply follow insecurity and conflict, it fuels them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thus, the vicious cycle takes hold: climate stress drives hunger and poverty; hunger fuels migration and conflict; conflict deepens deprivation.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Therefore, delivering on social justice and development goals is therefore both a moral imperative and an investment in stability and resilience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And this holds true not only in crisis or conflict areas, we know that from all and every society, the stronger you empower every person in your society, the stronger your economy grows, the stronger your own resilience.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

We know also, and have seen it during the pandemic, that a healthcare system is deeply interlinked with the question of security in times of crisis. We have seen also during the pandemic if, especially girls have to drop out of school again, insecurity rises again, we do not only lose the working power of female employees, we lose again the resilience of societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So, the fight for all the SDGs together is in our deep own interest.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In that context, the Doha Political Declaration is a genuine achievement, and we were right in celebrating it.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Adopted by consensus, it renews our commitment to people-centered development and builds on efforts in Copenhagen 30-years ago, while adapting to today\u2019s realities, from climate change to the governance of artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As the first meeting post-Doha, this Commission \u2013 the engine of social development \u2013 must now help turn that commitment into action.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This means pursuing concrete measures, such as well-financed and adaptive social protection systems; child-sensitive and family-oriented national poverty strategies; and better investments in data disaggregation to ensure that policy implementation leaves, indeed, no one behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

This is all the more important as the General Assembly begins its five-year follow-up process toward the 2031 high-level review \u2013 and especially as we look to the final sprint to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

As President of the General Assembly, I will do my part to champion these integrated approaches and look forward to convening a high-level event on climate; a joint initiative with the President of ECOSOC on artificial intelligence for social good; and a series of dialogues on implementation of the Pact for the Future.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There is undoubtedly a great deal of work before us, but encouragingly, momentum is already building, with numerous proposals submitted to the Doha Solutions Platform.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

My hope is that these proposals, coupled with concrete action here at the Commission, can help accelerate delivery.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Because social development is not a \u201cnice to have\u201d reserved for calmer days.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is the foundation that peace is built upon\u2026<\/p>\n

The firewall that helps prevent one crisis from igniting the next\u2026<\/p>\n

And the critical investment in collective prosperity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For those living in conflict areas around the world, the millions who not only strive for the delivery of the SDGs, it is it their only chance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But also, the millions of young people around the world who have been promised before, over and over again, that they will not be left behind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And indeed, we will do it, if we build on our promise of being better together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I thank you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Watch Full Broadcast Here<\/a><\/p>\n