SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSES STATUS OF DRAFT TEXTS

Commission for Social Development                          

Forty-second Session                                       

12^th Meeting (PM)

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION DISCUSSES STATUS OF DRAFT TEXTS

The Commission for Social Development held a brief meeting today to discuss the status of its programme of work, including negotiations on the draft texts it expects to adopt tomorrow at the close of its annual substantive session.

Introducing a draft text on a comprehensive and international convention to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, the representative of Mexico said the text sought to disseminate knowledge on progress made in the last year to negotiate the provisions of an international convention.  The text highlighted the contributions of the Commission to the process.  It also underscored the contributions of the Special Rapporteur for Persons with Disabilities, who was uniquely placed to add valuable insight to the process.  The role of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs as the secretariat of the process was also referred to in the text, which, she expected, would soon be finalized.

Qatar’s representative, on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, then introduced a draft resolution on the social objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).  The objective of the resolution, which was a follow-up to the resolution introduced by the Group last year, was to highlight the social dimension of NEPAD and promote collaboration among the United Nations, donors, civil society and international financial institutions.  It focused on the Commission’s priority theme, improving public sector effectiveness and recognized conferences held in support of NEPAD.  The Group had held informal consultations with interested delegations, and he hoped to conclude the process shortly.

The Commission Chairman, Jean-Jacques Elmiger (Switzerland), then drew the Commission’s attention to a non-paper containing proposals for a possible draft text on follow-up to the 1995 Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development, which should also be ready for action tomorrow.

The Commission will convene at 10 a.m. Friday 13 February, to take action on draft resolutions on matters related to persons with disabilities and ageing.

* *** *