“We must Develop fairer and more balanced policies That creates the political buy-in to drive change,” Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said in a video message. “What we also need is deeper social dialogue with stakeholders across the real economy. ”
those days Theme focuses on strengthening global unity and rebuilding trust in governments By overcoming barriers and unlocking opportunities for social justice. This approach is based on the recommendations of Our Common Agenda, the United Nations’ plan to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals.
overcome repeated crises
The challenge is Overcoming the toxic combination of mutually reinforcing crises – Inflation, debt, rising food and fuel prices, geopolitical tensions and conflict, climate change – these threaten to increase poverty, inequality and discrimination around the world.
“In the world People are struggling to recover from the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.It has destroyed lives and deepened inequality,” she said.
In fact, the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated global inequality and reversed the decline of the past two decades. Women account for less than 35% of total income from workan increase of only 5% compared to 1990. 214 million workers live in extreme povertyless than $1.90 per day, and the number of working poor in developing countries is increasing.
nevertheless before the pandemic It started in 2020, she said. Too many people forced to eke out a living on less than $2 a day They have no rights, no social protection, and little prospect of a better future.
“When there is an imbalance between economic growth and social policy, political instability and upheaval often result,” she says. “that’s why We need a closer fusion between social and normative frameworks Policies promoted by the United Nations and international financial institutions. ”
“Back on track”
The 2030 Agenda, reinvigorated by our common agenda, provides a blueprint to “get back on track and rescue” the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she said.
“Always remember who the results are intended to serve. People are at the heart of social justiceespecially women and young people,” she said, looking forward to fruitful and constructive discussions to meet the needs of millions of people.
rampant inequality
Poverty and inequality are increasing within and between countries in many parts of the world. Inequality remains very high, Annual gross domestic product per capita ranges from about $600 at purchasing power parity in the poorest countries to more than $115,000 in the richest countries.Top Currently, 10 percent of the world’s population accounts for 52 percent of global incomewhile the poorest half earns 6.5 percent of that.
about 290 million young people worldwide are not in education, employment or trainingwhile 2 billion people work in the informal economy. unstable work and incomeThe COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected these workers, resulting in a 60 percent drop in their income in 2020 due to unhealthy and unsafe working conditions and lack of social protection.
Identifying major bottlenecks
To commemorate this day, Kyrgyzstan, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and partners organized a 2023-themed event.Participants investigated Key bottlenecks and challenges opportunities for green and digital economies to overcome and reduce growing inequality; and Government action neededthe United Nations system, international financial institutions and other stakeholders, Increase investment in social justice.
Colombian Finance Minister José Antonio Ocampo said this in his keynote speech. Some suggestions for tackling current “immeasurable” global challenges These are having a major impact on social issues such as soaring food prices, the climate crisis, and the economic downturn.
Social justice requires national fiscal action It centers on taxation, including wealth taxes, he said. In fact, wealth inequality far exceeds current income inequality, he said.
Touching on several areas of activity, he said: Financial resources to ensure sufficient tax revenues need to be tailored to existing needs.in parallel with measures to “secure subsidies for the poorest.”
but, International finance has an important role In the future, he said. Expanding the efforts of multilateral banks will help countries address climate change issues. Current debt exchange agreement could be further expanded. Support for countries facing natural disasters is also a key area that needs to be scaled up, he said.
call for a global coalition
At the ILO event, experts outlined further ways to accelerate progress, and experts considered innovative proposals.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Humbo explained why. Greater focus on social justice is essential for sustainable recovery in a podcast released Monday.
“Socially speaking, if we don’t cultivate better social justice, we will end up with more social unrest,” he said.
He also emphasized that to ensure that the necessary measures and actions are integrated throughout all levels of policy-making: The need for a global federation For social justice.
“Imagine if we could elevate social justice discussions around the world to the same level as economics and the environment,” he said. “That would be a huge accomplishment for me, because right now that’s not the case.”