61th Session of the Commission for Social Development
“Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development”
10 February 2023
Statement of Italy delivered by the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Gianluca Greco
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.
Italy, as current ECOSOC Vice President, warmly welcomes the focus of the 61st session of the Commission for Social Development that we are inaugurating today.
As we struggle to build back better our societies, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and in a context of multiple crisis, we must address the imperative to advance in the implementation of the Agenda 2030, looking forward, with renewed ambition, to the incoming SDGs Summit. A common action is necessary to “leave no one behind”, the principle placed at its core.
Mr. Chair,
Italy has traditionally emphasized the need to promote people-centered policies. Based on the three pillars of People, Planet and Prosperity, we keep highlighting 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. At the same time, new challenges – such as climate change and digital transformation – requires immediate and adapted responses.
Social, economic and inter-generational inclusion are key drivers of our action. In Italy, life expectancy has reached the age of 83,4: our population is ageing and this requires special attention and specific and coordinated policies for the short and the long term, including a more effective dialogue between the public and the private sector.
In this spirit and in the framework of the Madrid Action Plan on Ageing, the Italian Government is launching new initiatives aimed at promoting a better governance of national policies based on the notion of active and healthy ageing with a life course approach, while at the same time improving the protection of older persons from all forms of violence and abuse – in line with the Rome Declaration 2022, adopted at UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing last June. This applies in particular to women and persons with disabilities, to ensure their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Mr. Chair,
Intergenerational dialogue and exchange is a very important element in this perspective. Empowering young persons and promoting their full and meaningful participation in society, through access to education, labor market, new employment opportunities and decision making is crucial to unleash their potential as global citizens and drivers for change.
Youth participation is key in general and even more so when we tackle issues having existential value, as it is the case of climate change, growth and education, and inter-generational repercussions on a future that is their own.
In line of the multiple challenges we are facing, allow me to welcome once more the proposal of a World Social Summit in 2025, as called for by the Secretary General 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. The realization of these objectives will only be possible through joint efforts and cooperation among States and all the international institutions.
I am now glad to give the floor to the Italian Youth Delegates.
Thank you Mr Chair.
