UN COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2007 SESSION

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000154 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ELAB TBIO SOCI UN SUBJECT: UN COMMISSION ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 2007 SESSION ¶1. (U) Summary: The Commission on Social Development held its 45th session from February 7 to 16, 2007. Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran, Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi chaired the session, whose main theme was "Full Employment and Decent Work for All." Discussions and panels included macroeconomic policy, good practices, youth and UN programs. The Commission considered resolutions on Youth, NEPAD, and the Madrid Plan of Action for Ageing and a Supplement on the World Programme of Action for Youth (WPAY). ¶2. (U) The Commission, in its new biennial program of work, devoted this year's session to a policy review. Next year the Commission will negotiate an Outcome Document to set the policy direction for the next biennium. The main document that emerged from this year's session, the Supplement to the WPAY, contained controversial elements relating to globalization, migration and HIV/AIDS. End Summary. Keynote Speaker Stresses Full Employment ¶3. (U) On February 7, South African Department of Labour representative Les Kettledas delivered the keynote address for the first meeting of the 45th session on the Commission on Social Development: "Full Employment and Decent Work for All." Kettledas reaffirmed the pillars of employment established at Copenhagen: recognition of basic rights, employment, social protection and dialogue. He argued that the liberalization and deregulation that he asserted would accompany globalization might negatively affect the achievement of decent work for all. He contended that inappropriate skills, inadequate information technology and limited investment also constrain workers from obtaining decent work. Kettledas concluded that economic and social development policies must be complementary and insisted that involving multiple multilateral organizations can accelerate progress. Commission Discusses Importance of Macroeconomic Policy to Full Employment ¶4. (U) On February 7, the Commission held a panel discussion on "Macroeconomic Policy for Full Employment." The mediator, UN Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Jose Antonio Ocampo, explained that economists view macroeconomics as concerning fiscal and monetary policy and exchange rates while the general population interprets the term to encompass liberalization and market forces. Panelists stressed the importance of keeping inflation low 
and exchange rates stable in order to reduce unemployment. One argued that increasing public sector jobs is not a sustainable solution, even in oil rich countries. They suggested integrating social and economic policy. USDel stressed the facilitating role governments should play in creating conditions conducive to job creation and reinforced the central role of the private sector in creating employment. ¶5. (U) The general discussion on the macroeconomics of full employment and decent work for all began on February 8. Multiple countries stressed the importance of integrating international and national policies, providing social protection and reducing agricultural barriers. Delegates argued that achieving full employment enhances both human dignity and human security. Pakistan and Egypt noted that youth unemployment could lead to extremism. China acknowledged the huge challenges they face as a developing country with the largest population in the world and emphasized their strategy will include social security, training, and giving policy and tax incentives to small and medium sized enterprises. The US outlined rule of law, health, education and economic freedom as the criteria necessary to expand employment; the US also stressed the importance of including youth and ageing in employment efforts. Panel Considers Good Practices for Full Employment ¶6. (U) On February 9, the Commission held a panel discussion entitled "Good Practices for Promoting Full Employment and Decent Work for All." Participants mentioned the importance of creating conditions conducive for the private sector to grow and suggested support for small and medium enterprises in particular. Others emphasized education and the importance of encouraging companies to join the formal sector to further encourage growth. The US intervened by asking panelists about empowerment and transfer programs that enable the poor to work their way out of poverty. Commission Directs Attention to Youth ¶7. (U) The Commission convened a panel February 8 on Labor Mobility, Youth and Families. Panelists stressed the need to improve documentation of international migration and increase educational assistance to developing countries experiencing 'brain drain.' The discussion raised concerns about the negative effects of labor mobility on families and communities. While liberalization of migration promises to increase wealth and opportunity, it presents challenges and threats because such advantages are not necessarily distributed evenly. ¶8. (U) The Commission held a panel discussion February 12 on the soon-to-be-released World Youth Report. Despite steady economic growth throughout the world over the last 15 years, unemployment has risen among youth (defined by the UN as ages 15 to 24). Speakers emphasized the importance of actively involving youth in the political participation process, improving education, and specifically addressing the opportunity disparities among the poor, rural inhabitants and females. Despite the advent of many social development indicators throughout the past few decades, researchers struggle to address youth development because little data is available specifically for youth. The World Youth Report will be available on the UN website in May 2007. ¶9. (U) February 13 concluded with a discussion of emerging issues, primarily youth employment. The broad concern was that youth unemployment has increased over the last ten years; this development is increasingly problematic as youth employment is vital to social development. Effectively harnessing the potential of youth mobility, ensuring a balance between work and family, and maintaining some degree of social integration are some of the persisting challenges. Strategies to improve employment include more focused training and regional integration policies and programs. Plenary Examines United Nations Programs ¶10. (U) On February 13, the Commission concluded the general discussion on a review of United Nations Programs. Many countries mentioned the progress and disappointments with the Millennium Development Goals. Other participants commented on the importance of the Madrid International Plan of Action for Ageing. A substantial number of countries emphasized the need to follow up on the World Program of Action for Youth. Certain UN agencies reported on the need for regional cooperation or programs and the exigency of finding a dynamic synergy between research and policy. Delegations Negotiate the WPAY Supplement ¶11. (U) After a flurry of last minute negotiations and with formal reservations stated by the G77, EU and USG, the Commission adopted the Supplement to the World Programme of Action for Youth. The Supplement was created in response to the General Assembly's request for attention to certain issues not adequately addressed in the WPAY, such as globalization, information and communications technology, armed conflict, migration, HIV/AIDS and intergenerational issues. In response to rushed negotiations, unacceptable language on globalization and the secretariat's inability to produce an accurate written document, the USDel reserved the right to re-open any and all portions of the text when it proceeds to ECOSOC and the GA for subsequent adoption. Commission Adopts Three Resolutions ¶12. (U) The Commission adopted the draft resolution (E/CN.5/2007/L.3) on the "Social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa's Development" (NEPAD) sponsored by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77. The resolution was amended according to USG suggestion to state that poverty reduction should be pursued through the promotion of economic development, democracy and good governance. ¶13. (U) Accompanied by little fanfare or disagreement the Commission adopted a draft resolution (E/CN.5/2007/L.4) regarding the review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002). The resolution reaffirmed the MIPAA, encouraged member states to formulate ageing-specific policies and requested that ECOSOC strengthen regional and global collaboration. ¶14. (U) The Commission adopted a procedural draft resolution (E/CN.5/2007/L.5) on youth, sponsored by Portugal and Senegal. While the documents mainly recognized the WPAY and the World Youth Report, it also urged and requested the Secretary General to further coordinate interagency efforts SIPDIS for youth development and asked the Statistical Commission to develop appropriate indicators of youth development. ¶15. (U) Comment: Many observers note that the Commission for Social Development is somewhat dysfunctional, without a tangible mandate and lacking substantial involvement from member states. The most significant contribution of the 45th Commission should have been the supplement on the World Programme of Action for Youth, but the result was disappointing. The inability of the G77 to clearly define its positions and priorities led to long delays in the negotiating process. That is not a new phenomenon. This Supplement is a bit unbalanced and will need to be improved at a later date. The process of dealing with such drafts within blocs before coming to the general membership of the Commission creates serious logistical and timing difficulties for approaching negotiations in a systematic, efficient or timely manner. WOLFF