COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HEARS ORAL REPORT ON ITS FUNCTIONING BY WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN

Press Release
SOC/4399

COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT HEARS ORAL REPORT ON ITS FUNCTIONING BY WORKING GROUP CHAIRMAN

The Commission for Social Development this morning heard an oral report on the review of its functioning by the Chairman of its Working Group on the future of the Commission.

The Group's Chairman, Ruth Limjuco (Philippines), reported on discussions held last Friday, 24 May, on proposals made by the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, the European Union and the United States relating to the functioning of the Commission. Questions concerning the mandate of the Commission and the framework of its functioning had been examined and negotiations on those issues were ongoing. The Working Group was also close to agreement on the question of participation of experts and non- governmental organizations in the Commission's work.

During its current special session, the Commission is reviewing its mandate, terms of reference and scope of its work. It is expected to elaborate its multi-year programme of activity to the year 2000. As the body with the central role in the follow-up to the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, it is also focusing attention on the Copenhagen Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the Summit, particularly Commitment 2 of the Declaration and Chapter 2 of the Programme of Action, both of which deal with the goal of poverty eradication through decisive national actions and international cooperation.

The Commissions's Working Group on poverty will meet at 3 p.m. today. The Commission will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 29 May, to hear reports of its Working Groups.

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