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60th Session of the Commissione for Social Development – National Statement

National statement delivered by Ambassador Maurizio Massari, ermanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, at the 60th Session of the Commission for Social Development – Priority Theme “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.” — 

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair,

Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and wishes to add the following remarks in its national capacity.

During the past two years, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple aspects of everyday life have exacerbated concerns for social development around the world. Today more than ever, greater attention should be paid to building back better our societies, based on an inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19.

A two-level action is required:

Firstly, we have to join and strengthen our efforts to eradicate poverty on a global level and to pursue the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. A common action is necessary to “leave no one behind”, the principle placed at the core of the 2030 Agenda.

Secondly, we must act internally on our economies, which are facing worrying cases of relative and extreme poverty. Italy is strongly committed to promoting a dignified life for all citizens and to eradicating poverty. Thanks to the welfare measures adopted over the last 4 years, the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has been reduced by over 2.5 million.

Italy aims at improving social services and the inclusion of marginalized people thanks to income support measures, with particular attention to the integration of young people, persons with disabilities and homeless people.

Furthermore, Italy emphasized the need to promote people-centered policies during the Presidency of the G20 in 2021. Based on the three pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity, we highlighted the need to reduce inequalities and any form of discrimination through policies focused on promoting prosperity, social protection and food security, for inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth.

A series of challenges, such as climate change and digital transformation, require immediate action to prevent the increase of inequality and poverty. We need to introduce a broader system of universal social protection, based not only on economic support but also on access to fundamental rights, namely health and education. It is also necessary to think about how to strengthen and adapt social protection systems for workers, ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of the measures within a sustainable public finance framework.

This is why, Italy, together with the other EU Member States, strongly supports the ILO Global Call to Action for social and fully inclusive recovery. We also welcome the proposal of a World Social Summit, called by the Secretary General for 2025 in “Our Common Agenda”, aimed at creating a renewed social contract rooted in human rights, enabling adequate housing, education and lifelong learning and decent work for all.

To conclude, the pandemic has made clear to everyone what interdependence means. There is no turning back. A new development model, sustainable both on an environmental and social level, will only be possible with the cooperation among States and international institutions.

Thank you very much.

I will now give the floor to our two Italian Youth Delegates. I thank you.