India assumes Chair of 62nd Session of Commission for Social Development

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, has assumed the Chair of the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD).

It is the first time since 1975 that India has held this position within the CSocD.

Commission for Social Development

• The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is one of the eight functional commissions established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1946 to advise and assist it in carrying out its work.

• It was originally known as the Social Commission, but renamed in 1966.

• Originally 18, membership has been increased several times, and now stands at 46.

• Members are elected by ECOSOC based on equitable geographical distribution for four-year terms.

• India’s term in CSocD will expire in 2027.

• The purpose of the commission is also to advise the ECOSOC on social policies of a general character and, in particular, on all matters in the social field not covered by the specialised inter-governmental agencies.

• CSocD meets annually in New York.

The Copengagen connection

• At the World Summit for Social Development, held in March 1995 in Copenhagen, governments reached a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development. 

• The Summit was the largest gathering ever of world leaders at that time. It pledged to make the conquest of poverty, the goal of full employment and the fostering of social integration overriding objectives of development.

• At its conclusion, governments adopted a ‘Declaration and Programme of Action’ which represented a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development.

• Following the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, the CSocD has been the key United Nations body in charge of the follow up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development

• Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj assumes the role of the Chair with a primary focus on bolstering international cooperation concerning social development matters. 

• The Chair is backed by vice-chairs from Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Dominican Republic, and a forthcoming African State election.

• The priority theme for the 62nd session is ‘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’. 

• The theme underscores the vital connection between social development and social justice as they form the bedrock for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Additional read:

What is ECOSOC?

The UN Charter established ECOSOC in 1945 as one of the six main organs of the United Nations. ECOSOC consists of 54 members, 18 of which are elected each year by the General Assembly for a three-year term. It coordinates the work of UN agencies related to economic, social and environmental development.

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