The UN Commission for Social Development convened its sixty-third session (CSocD63) from 10 to 14 February 2025. under the priority theme of “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
As part of its proceedings, the CSocD63 included a high-level panel discussion on “Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development, in view of the World Social Summit under the title the Second World Summit for Social Development” on 10 February 2025. The panel’s main objective was to identify key gaps and opportunities to deliver on the commitments of Copenhagen and the 2030 Agenda, and to discuss how the Second World Summit for Social Development can support a new global consensus around social policies that leave no one behind and promote resilient and equitable societies.
Ms. Eleni Nikolaidou, Deputy Director General of Hellenic Aid, participated as a panelist in the high-level panel discussion and focused her intervention on accelerating global action for poverty eradication, reducing inequalities and promoting decent work. She stressed, that tackling poverty and inequality and promoting social justice require objectives and priorities to be oriented towards advancing social progress. Yet, social considerations are insufficiently integrated into economic, employment and environmental frameworks and policies. Ms. Nikolaidou also mentioned, that the Summit can lay a foundation for building on the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development.
The General Assembly resolution 78/318 of 16 July 2024, decided that the World Summit for Social Development will adopt a concise, action-oriented political declaration, agreed in advance by consensus through intergovernmental negotiations in New York, that has a social development approach and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.