Your Excellency Ambassador Gbolie Desire Wulfran Ipo, Chair of the Commission,Honourable Ministers,Distinguished Delegates and Guests,Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has been 25 years since world leaders met in Copenhagen, Denmark for the historic World Summit for Social Development. Leaders pledged, in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, to make poverty history, to pursue the goal of full employment and decent work for all, and to foster social integration and reduce inequalities. Its vision and people-centered approach to development has inspired us ever since.
I am pleased to participate in this Ministerial Forum commemorating this important anniversary. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have worked tirelessly to make the Copenhagen commitments a reality, including Ambassador Somavia, who is not able to join us today.
The World Summit for Social Development – commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit – was a precursor to the formation of the Sustainable Development Goals and has advanced significant progress on social development. Between 1990 and 2015 before the 2030 Agenda was adopted:
• more than one billion people were lifted out of poverty;• more girls were in school than ever before as a result of increases in overall enrolment and the narrowing of the gender gap in education;• progress towards women’s empowerment and gender equality was made;• child and maternal mortality were reduced while life expectancy increased; and• progress was made in access to universal health care, education, and basic services such as clean water and sanitation.
However, we have not yet confined poverty to the history books. Decent work remains a distant dream for many. High and rising inequalities are threatening social cohesion.Moreover, our world has changed in these 25 years. Some of these changes and global mega trends present both new challenges and opportunities. Based on our collective experiences, we must ask ourselves what actions can we take to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable development for all?
Let me share some thoughts by addressing five major challenges.
First, I will start with the eradication of poverty.
As the international community embarks on the Third Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, poverty rates are still high in many countries in Africa and the least developed countries. In 2013, of the 783 million people living in extreme poverty, more than half were in sub-Saharan Africa and close to a third lived in Southern Asia. Pockets of poverty also afflict middle- and high-income countries. In 2017, extreme working poverty remained widespread, with more than 300 million workers in emerging and developing countries having a per capita household income or consumption below $1.90 per day.
To eradicate poverty by 2030, given current rates of population growth, it will be necessary to reduce, by about 110 million every year, the number of people living on less than $1.90 a day. Besides income poverty, an estimated 820 million people suffered from hunger in 2018, compared with 777 million in 2015. Almost 1 billion people also currently live without electricity, and 3 billion people lack access to clean-cooking solutions. Moreover, the poorest of the poor are subject to overlapping dimensions of poverty and inequalities.
Second, high and Rising Inequality, as I mentioned above.
Twenty-five years since the World Summit, DESA’s research, recently published in the World Social Report 2020, confirms that income inequality has increased in most developed countries and remains very high in developing countries, despite notable reductions in some countries. And inequality in access to education and healthcare – based on gender, race, ethnicity, urban or rural residence, status of disability, or migration – persists. This often leads to a concentration of wealth and political influence among those who are already at the top of the income scale, threatening social cohesion.
There is a widespread perception that the current socio-economic system is not working for many. Indeed, the middle class has shrunk in many countries with wages remaining stagnant for a generation. There is increasing dissatisfaction with institutions that have not been able to address the structural causes of inequalities. As a result we are seeing a rise in political upheaval and protest movements.
Third, the ongoing Demographic Transition.
The world’s population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, and 9.7 billion by 2050. This growth will put great pressure on the food supply, housing and other resources such as land and water.
Populations are also ageing in many countries. By 2050, an estimated 16 per cent of people in the world will be over the age of 65, compared to 9 per cent in 2019. This trend will have an impact on pension systems, employment opportunities for older persons, health care and long-term care. In 2020 alone, the World Bank estimates that about 42 million additional jobs will need to be generated for people 65 years and older.
In some other countries, including sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, there has been a faster growth of the working-age population relative to the rest of the population. This has the potential to expand human capital, investments in infrastructure and accelerate economic growth, provided that decent work opportunities are created to take advantage of this demographic dividend.
The fourth challenge relates to The Future of Work.
The world is now in its fourth industrial revolution. The resulting changes in the world of work will affect everyone. Technological change such as artificial intelligence and automation, could have profound consequences for workers in many sectors.
New technologies and the shifting organization of work have become a permanent feature of the modern workplace. In order to keep up with the demand for higher-level skills, workers cannot rely exclusively on the formal schooling acquired before entering the labour force. Lifelong learning and support during labour market transitions will thus become more relevant for equality of opportunity.
There is no solid evidence to date that recent technological advances have led to massive increases in joblessness, or that they will make certain work obsolete. Where new technologies are pushing income inequality higher, they are doing so mainly through increasing workforce polarization, and non-standard working arrangements. Many jobs now have contracts that lack the benefits and stability of traditional jobs, putting more pressure on labour.
The fifth challenge relates to Climate Change and Natural Disasters
Climate change and extreme weather events have emerged as a defining issue of our time. According to the recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global temperature rise is likely to reach 1.5⁰C between 2030 and 2052 and is on track for more than 3⁰C to 4⁰C warming by 2100.
This is an existential threat to life on earth.
Environmental degradation and climate catastrophic events are taking a heavy toll on the well-being of people, the most vulnerable and those in low-income countries. Small-holder farmers, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and rural coastal populations are exposed to greater risk and incur greater losses.
Excellencies,Urgent action is needed to address these challenges and put the world on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. That is why the Secretary-General has launched the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
We must accelerate actions to pursue consistent social, economic and environmental policies that, among others:
• mitigate the impact of climate change and curb carbon emissions,• ensure the timely and predictable availability of resources, both financial and human,• ensure food security• prioritize investments in education, universal health coverage and social protection, poverty eradication and inequality reduction, and• promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the empowerment of women and girls in the process.
Countries can also harness innovations in technology to accelerate progress in SDGs. For example, Internet platforms can deliver education, health and public services to populations in remote areas. They can enable persons with disabilities to access services and employment. And switching to cleaner energy could support robust economic growth and create jobs.
Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,Dear Friends,
The challenges I have outlined today, among others, demand a collective effort and a stronger multilateral response. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development, let us work together to place people at the centre of development, and equity and social justice as the foundation of policymaking.
Let us strive to accelerate actions to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
And, most importantly, let us create a harmonious and peaceful co-existence which is at the heart of the ideals of the United Nations.
Thank you for your kind attention.
It has been 25 years since world leaders met in Copenhagen, Denmark for the historic World Summit for Social Development. Leaders pledged, in the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, to make poverty history, to pursue the goal of full employment and decent work for all, and to foster social integration and reduce inequalities. Its vision and people-centered approach to development has inspired us ever since.
I am pleased to participate in this Ministerial Forum commemorating this important anniversary. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who have worked tirelessly to make the Copenhagen commitments a reality, including Ambassador Somavia, who is not able to join us today.
The World Summit for Social Development – commonly known as the Copenhagen Summit – was a precursor to the formation of the Sustainable Development Goals and has advanced significant progress on social development. Between 1990 and 2015 before the 2030 Agenda was adopted:
• more than one billion people were lifted out of poverty;• more girls were in school than ever before as a result of increases in overall enrolment and the narrowing of the gender gap in education;• progress towards women’s empowerment and gender equality was made;• child and maternal mortality were reduced while life expectancy increased; and• progress was made in access to universal health care, education, and basic services such as clean water and sanitation.
However, we have not yet confined poverty to the history books. Decent work remains a distant dream for many. High and rising inequalities are threatening social cohesion.Moreover, our world has changed in these 25 years. Some of these changes and global mega trends present both new challenges and opportunities. Based on our collective experiences, we must ask ourselves what actions can we take to accelerate progress towards achieving sustainable development for all?
Let me share some thoughts by addressing five major challenges.
First, I will start with the eradication of poverty.
As the international community embarks on the Third Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, poverty rates are still high in many countries in Africa and the least developed countries. In 2013, of the 783 million people living in extreme poverty, more than half were in sub-Saharan Africa and close to a third lived in Southern Asia. Pockets of poverty also afflict middle- and high-income countries. In 2017, extreme working poverty remained widespread, with more than 300 million workers in emerging and developing countries having a per capita household income or consumption below $1.90 per day.
To eradicate poverty by 2030, given current rates of population growth, it will be necessary to reduce, by about 110 million every year, the number of people living on less than $1.90 a day. Besides income poverty, an estimated 820 million people suffered from hunger in 2018, compared with 777 million in 2015. Almost 1 billion people also currently live without electricity, and 3 billion people lack access to clean-cooking solutions. Moreover, the poorest of the poor are subject to overlapping dimensions of poverty and inequalities.
Second, high and Rising Inequality, as I mentioned above.
Twenty-five years since the World Summit, DESA’s research, recently published in the World Social Report 2020, confirms that income inequality has increased in most developed countries and remains very high in developing countries, despite notable reductions in some countries. And inequality in access to education and healthcare – based on gender, race, ethnicity, urban or rural residence, status of disability, or migration – persists. This often leads to a concentration of wealth and political influence among those who are already at the top of the income scale, threatening social cohesion.
There is a widespread perception that the current socio-economic system is not working for many. Indeed, the middle class has shrunk in many countries with wages remaining stagnant for a generation. There is increasing dissatisfaction with institutions that have not been able to address the structural causes of inequalities. As a result we are seeing a rise in political upheaval and protest movements.
Third, the ongoing Demographic Transition.
The world’s population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030, and 9.7 billion by 2050. This growth will put great pressure on the food supply, housing and other resources such as land and water.
Populations are also ageing in many countries. By 2050, an estimated 16 per cent of people in the world will be over the age of 65, compared to 9 per cent in 2019. This trend will have an impact on pension systems, employment opportunities for older persons, health care and long-term care. In 2020 alone, the World Bank estimates that about 42 million additional jobs will need to be generated for people 65 years and older.
In some other countries, including sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, there has been a faster growth of the working-age population relative to the rest of the population. This has the potential to expand human capital, investments in infrastructure and accelerate economic growth, provided that decent work opportunities are created to take advantage of this demographic dividend.
The fourth challenge relates to The Future of Work.
The world is now in its fourth industrial revolution. The resulting changes in the world of work will affect everyone. Technological change such as artificial intelligence and automation, could have profound consequences for workers in many sectors.
New technologies and the shifting organization of work have become a permanent feature of the modern workplace. In order to keep up with the demand for higher-level skills, workers cannot rely exclusively on the formal schooling acquired before entering the labour force. Lifelong learning and support during labour market transitions will thus become more relevant for equality of opportunity.
There is no solid evidence to date that recent technological advances have led to massive increases in joblessness, or that they will make certain work obsolete. Where new technologies are pushing income inequality higher, they are doing so mainly through increasing workforce polarization, and non-standard working arrangements. Many jobs now have contracts that lack the benefits and stability of traditional jobs, putting more pressure on labour.
The fifth challenge relates to Climate Change and Natural Disasters
Climate change and extreme weather events have emerged as a defining issue of our time. According to the recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global temperature rise is likely to reach 1.5⁰C between 2030 and 2052 and is on track for more than 3⁰C to 4⁰C warming by 2100.
This is an existential threat to life on earth.
Environmental degradation and climate catastrophic events are taking a heavy toll on the well-being of people, the most vulnerable and those in low-income countries. Small-holder farmers, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and rural coastal populations are exposed to greater risk and incur greater losses.
Excellencies,Urgent action is needed to address these challenges and put the world on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. That is why the Secretary-General has launched the Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
We must accelerate actions to pursue consistent social, economic and environmental policies that, among others:
• mitigate the impact of climate change and curb carbon emissions,• ensure the timely and predictable availability of resources, both financial and human,• ensure food security• prioritize investments in education, universal health coverage and social protection, poverty eradication and inequality reduction, and• promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the empowerment of women and girls in the process.
Countries can also harness innovations in technology to accelerate progress in SDGs. For example, Internet platforms can deliver education, health and public services to populations in remote areas. They can enable persons with disabilities to access services and employment. And switching to cleaner energy could support robust economic growth and create jobs.
Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,Dear Friends,
The challenges I have outlined today, among others, demand a collective effort and a stronger multilateral response. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the World Summit for Social Development, let us work together to place people at the centre of development, and equity and social justice as the foundation of policymaking.
Let us strive to accelerate actions to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
And, most importantly, let us create a harmonious and peaceful co-existence which is at the heart of the ideals of the United Nations.
Thank you for your kind attention.
File date:
Tuesday, February 11, 2020