Resolution Recognizing, Promoting Care Economy among Texts Approved, as Commission for Social Development Concludes Its Sixty-second Session
Body also Opens Its New Session Electing Chair, Vice-Chairs
The Commission for Social Development, acting by consensus on the final day of its sixty-second session, approved and forwarded three resolutions and one draft decision to the Economic and Social Council for adoption — including one on recognizing and valuing the unacknowledged, unpaid work of caregivers.
The Commission approved without a vote the draft resolution titled “Promoting care and support systems for social development” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.5). By its terms, the Council would urge States to ensure the creation of enabling environments for promoting care and support systems for social development and implement all measures necessary to ensure the well-being and rights of care recipients and caregivers, to recognize and redistribute care work among individuals, as well as families, communities, the private sector and States, and to contribute to the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Introducing the text, the representative of Chile noted that unpaid caregiving continues to be invisible and undervalued, and unaccounted for in national statistics. The resolution is a first step towards recognizing caregiving, as the International Labour Organization (ILO) already estimates that it represents 9 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), or $11 trillion. The care economy is fundamental in achieving gender equality, as women carry out 3.2 times more care work than men, and women aged 25 to 34 are 1.2 times more likely to live in extreme poverty. The social development approach must recognize, redistribute and value unremunerated care and domestic work.
The representative of Costa Rica, speaking in explanation of position, said that care is a right that involves addressing the needs of vulnerable people including children, older persons and disabled people, while taking into account those who provide care.
The representative of Belgium, speaking for the European Union, underscored the significance of the resolution and the role caregiving plays in societies, supporting both caregivers and care receivers. Noting that the draft should have included more robust references to intersectionality, he voiced regret at the loss of references to autonomy in the text.
The representative of Egypt noted the issue of care and support remains a regional priority, an issue which must be taken into consideration. The “care economy” does not have a clear definition, he said, calling for addressing the unequal burden of women and girls.
The representative of the United States underscored that the resolution is a non-binding document that does not create rights or obligations under international law. He recalled that the United States is not a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Council also approved its provisional agenda and draft report.
Immediately following the closure of the sixty-second session, the Commission opened the first meeting of its sixty-third session. Acting by acclamation, it elected Krzysztof Maria Szczerski (Poland) as its Chair. The Commission then elected, also by acclamation, Julia Eberl (Austria) and Paola Andrea Morris Garrido (Guatemala) as Vice-Chairs of the sixty-third session.
Action on Drafts
Ruchira Kamboj (India), Chair of the Commission, introduced the draft decision titled “Priority theme of the sixty-third session of the Commission for Social Development” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.3), which was approved without a vote. By its terms, the Economic and Social Council would decide that the priority theme of the sixty-third session of the Commission for Social Development shall be “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.
The representative of Mexico, speaking after the approval, reiterated her position on the selection of priority themes for subsidiary bodies of the Economic and Social Council. Her delegation has for years expressed its concern over the lack of alignment between priority themes of the Council with that main theme. That lack of alignment means delegations do not know the main theme at closure. She offered two solutions: the Commission could wait to decide on its main theme until after the main theme of the high-level political forum on sustainable development and the Economic and Social Council are selected; or the Council and the forum can define their main themes with sufficient lead time to enable the Commission and other subsidiary bodies to follow the alignment set out. She called for the means of action towards full alignment, rather than creating precedence with a lack of compliance with mandates of the General Assembly.
The representative of Chile then introduced the draft resolution titled “Promoting care and support systems for social development” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.5), citing the need to recognize and give value to the work of caregiving and support, which should be addressed with the collective responsibility of individuals, families, communities, States and the private sector. Unpaid caregiving continues to be invisible and undervalued, and unaccounted for in national statistics, often not considered when social and economic policies are formulated. This resolution is a first step towards recognizing it, as the International Labour Organization (ILO) already estimates that it represents 9 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP), or $11 trillion. The care economy is fundamental in achieving gender equality, as women carry out 3.2 times more care work than men, and women aged 25 to 34 are 1.2 times more likely to live in extreme poverty. The social development approach must recognize, redistribute and value unremunerated care and domestic work.
The representative of Costa Rica, speaking in explanation of position, said that care is a right that involves addressing the needs of vulnerable people including children, older persons and disabled people, while taking into account those who provide care.
The representative of Belgium, speaking for the European Union, underscored the significance of the resolution and the role caregiving plays in societies, supporting both caregivers and care receivers. Noting that the draft should have included more robust references to intersectionality, he voiced regret at the loss of references to autonomy in the text.
The representative of Egypt noted the issue of care and support remains a regional priority, an issue which must be taken into consideration. The “care economy” does not have a clear definition, he said, calling for addressing the unequal burden of women and girls.
The representative of the United States underscored that the resolution is a non-binding document that does not create rights or obligations under international law. He recalled that the United States is not a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The resolution was then approved without a vote. By its terms, the Council would urge States to ensure the creation of enabling environments for promoting care and support systems for social development and implement all measures necessary to ensure the well-being and rights of care recipients and caregivers, to recognize and redistribute care work among individuals, as well as families, communities, the private sector and States, and to contribute to the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The representative of Uganda, speaking for the Group of 77 and China, then introduced the draft resolution titled “Social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.6), noting the resolution was presented as a technical update, and only published in six official languages, which should not be a repeated occurrence in light of the principle of multilingualism. In the future, it should be published in all languages prior to the start of the session, with the issues of the African continent and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development afforded their due importance.
The representative of the United States, speaking in explanation of position on aspects including trade issues, illicit financial flows and the purported right to development, referred the Commission to its explanation of position to last year’s resolution, available on the delegation’s website.
The resolution was then approved without a vote. By the text, the Council would welcome the progress made by African Governments in fulfilling their commitments in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development to deepen democracy, human rights, good governance and sound economic management, and encourages them, with the participation of stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, to intensify their efforts in this regard by developing and strengthening institutions for governance and creating an environment conducive to attracting foreign direct investment for the development of the region.
The Commission then turned to the draft resolution titled “Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.4).
The representative of the United States underscored that trade language adopted by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council has no relevance for United States trade policy, the document does not create rights or obligations under international law, and the right to development has no agreed international meaning and is not recognized as a universal right. He voiced concern that the “right to development” in the text protects States and not individuals, disassociating his delegation from preambular paragraph 14(bis), and further voiced disagreement with other language, including on Indigenous Peoples, local communities and illicit financial flows.
The representative of Qatar, speaking for the Gulf Cooperation Council, highlighted certain terms in paragraphs 39, 48 and 22, and some controversial and non-consensual language that goes against those States’ traditional culture and values.
The resolution was then approved without a vote. By its terms, the Council would reaffirm that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, for all people everywhere, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, as well as an overarching objective of the 2030 Agenda, of which the Addis Ababa Action Agenda is an integral part, supporting and complementing it.
The representative of Malaysia, speaking after approval, noted references to family in the draft resolution, adding that the importance of family in eradicating poverty deserves increased emphasis.
The representative of Libya said his delegation was bewildered by the introduction of non-consensual terminology that has been refused by many Member States in the past, including “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination”. Libya will implement the resolution in accordance with national laws and in line with social, cultural and religious values, and disassociated from paragraphs 48 and 52.
The representative of Hungary voiced concern that singling out certain actors and marginalized groups such as migrants might exclude other groups that are equally vulnerable and deserve attention. He recalled that Hungary voted against the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
The representative of Iran noted that his delegation joined consensus on all resolutions, but dissociated itself from any paragraph recalling or recognizing documents that are not accepted by it. References to non-consensual or contentious language on “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination” and “gender equality” shall not be construed as precedent or agreed language in future deliberations.
The representative of Cameroon, speaking for the African Group, stressed the importance of the centrality of the family in Africa as the fundamental unit in society.
The representative of Djibouti, aligning himself with the African Group, noted this was not just another simple resolution, but epitomizes and illustrates the growing global consensus on the right to development, which language is extremely crucial to his delegation. However, multiple other issues should be reflected upon, including references to “multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination”.
Also speaking were the representatives of Egypt, Mexico, Nigeria (aligning herself with the African Group), Mali (aligning herself with the African Group), Senegal, Syria (aligning himself with Iran) and Morocco, as well as an observer for the Holy See.
The Commission then approved the “Provisional agenda of and documentation for the sixty-third session of the Commission” (document E/CN.5/2024/L.1).
Stéphanie Toschi (Luxembourg), Vice Chair of the Commission, then introduced the draft report (document E/CN.5/2024/L.2).
The representative of Egypt commended the work of the Commission.
The Commission then approved the draft report without a vote.
Closing Remarks
In her reflection on the session, Paula Narváez (Chile), President of the Economic and Social Council, said that countries have reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding progress on inclusive social development and of proposing strategies to address today’s multiple global crises including for poverty eradication. Countries spoke of how the lack of social protection and universal health coverage and unequal access to affordable quality education continue to hamper inclusive development and implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The Commission also heard about the opportunities to leverage technologies for social justice while tackling a growing digital divide and ensuring equal and affordable access to digital technologies. Member States stressed the need to reform the international financial architecture and strengthen multilateral cooperation and partnerships.
Looking ahead, she noted the Youth Forum in April, the forum on financing for development follow-up in April, the science, technology and innovation forum in May, and the high-level political forum in July are all important opportunities to further discussions. The Council will make a valuable contribution to the Summit of the Future in 2024 and the World Summit for Social Development in 2025.
In her closing remarks, Commission Chair Ruchira Kamboj (India) stressed the need to urgently reform the international financial architecture, promote fair agricultural trade, and put in place other supportive international frameworks, such as taxation for technology and climate. She noted that Commission members reached an agreement on the priority theme of the sixty-third session, “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Election of Chair and Bureau
Immediately following the closure of the sixty-second session, the Commission opened the first meeting of its sixty-third session. Acting by acclamation, it elected Krzysztof Maria Szczerski (Poland) as its Chair. The Commission then elected, also by acclamation, Julia Eberl (Austria) and Paola Andrea Morris Garrido (Guatemala) as Vice-Chairs of the sixty-third session.
Mr. Szczerski, expressing his determination to ensure that the new session is as successful as the previous one, stressed that the notion of solidarity, embedded in the priority theme of the sixth-third session, deserves deeper recognition, as peaceful and successful economic and social transition has been guided by the idea of solidarity.
The Commission also postponed the elections of the remaining members of the Bureau from the Group of African States and the Group of Asia-Pacific States to a later date, on the understanding that upon nomination by the regional groups for membership, the nominated members of the Commission would be allowed to participate fully in the Bureau meetings in preparation for its sixty-third session.