Commission for Social Development

Fortieth Session

(11^th Meeting resumed) (PM)

and Forty-first Session

1^st Meeting (PM)

COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT REACHES AGREEMENT

ON INTEGRATION OF SOCIAL, ECONOMIC POLICIES

Members Adopt Text Inviting Economic and Social Council

To Examine Importance of Such Integration at High-Level Segment

As the Commission for Social Development concluded its fortieth session in a resumed meeting yesterday evening, it transmitted to the Economic and Social Council and the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the forthcoming World Summit for Sustainable Development its agreed conclusions on the integration of social and economic policies -- the priority theme of the session.  [The session was suspended early in the morning last Friday, 22 February, when, following all-night consultations, the Commission failed to reach an agreement on its main outcome document.]

Acting without a vote today, the Commission adopted a draft resolution containing the agreed conclusions, by which it invited the Economic and Social Council, at its high-level segment, to examine the importance of integrating social and economic policy in promoting human resources and enhancing the process of development.

Recognizing the productive nature of social investments, the Commission, in its outcome document, invites governments to adopt holistic, integrated, comprehensive and consistent public policies to further development, eradicate poverty and fulfil the commitments undertaken at the 1995 Copenhagen Summit and the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly.  The document also contains recommendations on ways to implement those commitments and attain the Millennium Declaration development goals, including institution building, improving efficiency of government expenditures and tax regimes, developing dialogue and coordination, forging partnerships with the private sector and non-governmental organizations, and pursuing pro-poor and gender-sensitive policies.

Under the agenda item on the review of United Nations plans and programmes pertaining to the situation of particular social groups, the Commission also took action on a draft resolution on promotion of opportunities and protection of human rights of persons with disabilities (document E/CN.5/2002/L.4/Rev.1).  That text was approved, as orally amended, without a vote.  

By the draft, the Commission made recommendations on the matter to the Economic and Social Council.  By the terms of the text, the Council would welcome government's initiatives to achieve full participation for persons with disabilities, in accordance with the 1993 Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.  It would also recognize the significant role played by the United Nations system, including the Bretton Woods institutions, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in that regard.

All those actors would be urged to create greater awareness and support for further implementation of the StandardRules, exchange information on the matter, protect human rights of persons with disabilities, improve cooperation in the field of disability and find forms for future monitoring of the Standard Rules.  Governments would be urged to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to education, health, employment, social services, housing, public transport, information, legal protection and decision-making.

Also by the text, the Council would renew the mandate of its Special Rapporteur on Disability, Bengt Linqvist, through 2005 to further the promotion and monitoring of the Standard Rules.  Regarding the proposals contained in his latest report, the Secretary-General would be requested to seek the views of Member States, especially on the suggested supplement to the Standard Rules. 

On the convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, the text recommends that the Ad Hoc Committee established by the General Assembly in its resolution 56/168 should consider proposals in that regard, taking into account relevant human rights instruments and the Standard Rules.  Along with the proposals of the Special Rapporteur at the current session, the Commission recommends studying the views of Member States international and non-governmental organizations, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities.

Prior to action on the text as a whole, the Commission rejected an amendment proposed by the representative of the United States to the draft’s first preambular paragraph by a vote of 1 (United States) to 34 against, with no abstentions.  Under the proposal, instead of “the obligations contained in the relevant human rights instruments”, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the text would refer to “the obligations assumed under” such instruments.  In a statement in explanation of vote before the vote, the United States representative explained that her country’s position was that it was important to differentiate between the instruments which had universal support and those, which had not been ratified by some governments.  A second amendment, proposed by the United States after the first vote, was not put to a vote for procedural reasons.

The Commission then approved the first preambular paragraph as orally proposed by Sweden [“. . . obligations contained in the relevant human rights instruments”] by a vote of 34 to 1 against (United States), with no abstentions (see Annex II).

In other action, the Commission adopted its report for the current session, which was introduced by its Rapporteur, Anzhela Korneliouk (Belarus).  The Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur of the Commission were entrusted with finalizing the report, incorporating action taken at today’s meeting.

Prior to action on the texts, the coordinators of informal consultations on the drafts -- the Commission’s Vice-Chairman, Muhammed Enayet Mowla (Bangladesh) and the representative of Sweden --reported to members on the outcome of negotiations in informal consultations and introduced changes to the texts.  Short statements and queries on the rules of procedure were made by the representatives of Benin, Sweden, Haiti, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Mexico, Algeria, Morocco, France, Cuba, United States and the Netherlands.

In her concluding remarks, the Chairperson of the Commission, Faith Innerarity (Jamaica), summed up the work during the session and said that the outcome document contained important recommendations and statements aimed at addressing the problems of poverty and difficulties faced by the excluded around the world.  She hoped that in the future, the Commission would be able to work by consensus, making a contribution to the cause of improving people’s lives in various countries.

The representative of Spain (on behalf of the European Union) expressed disappointment that “once again, the Commission had based its texts on previously agreed language to secure consensus”.  The adoption of the texts had added nothing to the substance of previous agreements.  The agreed conclusions were a collage of pre-existing texts with scanty value added to them.  That was not conducive to dynamic results, and it was vitally important to change the Commission’s working methods.

Following the closing of the fortieth session, the Commission held a short organizational meeting to elect its Bureau for the forty-first session.  Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury (Bangladesh) was elected as the Commission’s new Chairman, and Paloma Duran of Spain, Alejandra Ayuso of Argentina, and Nicole Elisha of Benin as three of its four Vice-Chairpersons.

Overview of Session

The two-week fortieth session of the Commission was devoted to the priority theme of integration of social and economic policy, focusing on such aspects of the problem as social implications of macroeconomic policies, social assessment as a policy tool, and expenditures in the social sector as a productive factor.  Under the agenda item on the review of United Nations plans and programmes pertaining to the situation of particular social groups, the Commission also took up the preparations for the Second World Assembly on Ageing and the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004, as well as the report of its Special Rapporteur on Disability.  

Speakers in the debate highlighted the interrelation between economic and social policies and shared their national experiences, presenting a wide array of actions to achieve socio-economic goals.   It was recognized that development should encompass not only increases in national per capita income, but also a broad range of social objectives, which should include creation of work opportunities, improvement in health standards and education, access to public services and human rights.  Speakers emphasized the need to introduce social

considerations into macroeconomic reforms.  Many stressed the negative consequences of structural adjustment programmes and questioned the narrow approach to macroeconomic stabilization, pointing out the need to give social and economic objectives equal weight in the formulation of policies.  The role of international financial institutions was stressed in that regard. 

While most participants agreed that a stable macroeconomic environment and sustained economic growth were necessary but not sufficient conditions for social development, opinions differed regarding the degree of priority that should be placed on macroeconomic policy.  Some held that macroeconomic policies aimed at controlling inflation and maintaining fiscal balances should not be compromised in the name of improving social services and creating jobs.  The participants recognized the importance of an integrated approach to poverty eradication, employment promotion and social integration.  They also stressed linkages between investment in human capital and economic growth.  Among other issues addressed in the debate on the priority issue were growing inequities resulting from globalization; the world trade situation; progress in implementing the Millennium Goals set by the international community; and the role of various actors in advancing social goals.

      Background on Commission

The Commission is a functional body of the Economic and Social Council, whose 46 members are elected for four-year terms of office on the following basis: 12 from African States; 10 from Asian States; five from Eastern European States; nine from Latin American and Caribbean States; and 10 from Western European and Other States.  The mandate and the membership of the Commission were expanded following the World Summit for Social Development, which was held in Copenhagen in 1995.  Ever since, it has been the key United Nations body in charge of follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. 

Commission Membership

The current members of the Commission with their terms of expiry are: Algeria (2002), Argentina (2002), Austria (2004), Bangladesh (2004), Belarus (2003), Benin (2003), Bulgaria (2004), China (2004), Comoros (2004), Croatia (2002), Czech Republic (2004), Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (2002), Denmark (2004), Dominican Republic (2002), Ecuador (2003), El Salvador (2004), France (2003), Gabon (2004), Germany (2003), Ghana (2003), Guatemala (2002), Guinea (2003), Haiti (2002), Indonesia (2003), Iran (2002), Italy (2004), Jamaica (2000), Japan (2003), Kazakhstan (2004), Mexico (2004), Morocco (2002), Nigeria (2003), Peru (2003), Republic of Korea (2003), Russian Federation (2003), South Africa (2004), Spain (2002), Sudan (2003), Swaziland (2002), Sweden (2002), Switzerland (2004), Thailand (2002), Turkey (2002), United Republic of Tanzania (2004), United States (2003), and Viet Nam (2004).

(annexes follow)

ANNEX I

Vote on amendment proposed by United States to preambular paragraph 1 of draft text on promotion of equal opportunities for persons with disabilities

The proposed amendment to preambular paragraph 1 of the draft resolution on further promotion of equality of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities (document E/CN.5/2002/L.4/Rev.1) was rejected by a recorded vote of

1 in favour to 34 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  United States.

Against:  Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania.

Abstaining:  None.

Absent:  Bulgaria, Comoros, Gabon, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Turkey, Viet Nam.

(END ANNEX I)

ANNEX II

Vote on amendment proposed by Sweden to preambular paragraph 1 of draft text on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities

The proposed amendment to preambular paragraph 1 of the draft resolution on further promotion of equality of opportunities by, for and with persons with disabilities (document E/CN.5/2002/L.4/Rev.1) was approved by a recorded vote of 34 in favour to 1 against, with no abstentions, as follows:

In favour:  Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania.

Against:  United States.

Abstaining:  None.

Absent:  Bulgaria, Comoros, Gabon, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Sudan, Swaziland, Switzerland, Turkey, Viet Nam.

* *** *