The 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD62) at the United Nations took place from February 5-14, 2024. The theme for CSocD62 was:
“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.”
Each year the Commission’s focus on fostering social development and social justice necessitates the inclusion of civil society and grassroots organizations in the deliberations, and in turn civil society is highly engaged in the work of the Commission. This is evidenced in the Civil Society Forum, hosted annually at the UN Headquarters by the NGO Committee for Social Development (NGO CSocD) during the Commission, and the increased opportunities for nongovernmental organizations to host side events and provide written and oral inputs. UNANIMA International was especially involved in the preparations and negotiations during this year’s Commission as UI’s Executive Director, Jean Quinn, and Executive Assistant/Assistant UN Representative, Liana Almony, both serve on the Executive Committee for the NGO Committee for Social Development (NGO CSocD).
The CSocD is certainly one of the busiest and most engaging times for us as committee members and as civil society representatives here at the UN. Ahead of CSocD62, the NGO CSocD produced and circulated the Civil Society Declaration, which received well over 1,000 signatures. We also put together a taskforce to review progress on the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals, and published and disseminated the findings before this year’s CSocD to inform the work of the delegates and CSocD membership. Click here to read the Civil Society Declaration, and here to download a digital copy of the publication.
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NGO CSocD also met with over 25 Member States to discuss advocacy priorities and share about our work before CSocD62 began. As members of the Executive Committee, Jean and Liana attended Mission Visits with the CSocD62 Bureau, including Chair H.E. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj of India. NGO CSocD also planned a Breakfast with the Bureau of CSocD62 at the Baha’i International Community, held a virtual Orientation Session before the Opening of the Commission, and hosted morning briefings with the Bureau throughout the Commission.
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As Chair of the NGO CSocD, Jean Quinn presented the Civil Society Declaration at the Opening of the Commission, delivering remarks alongside H.E. Ambassador Dennis Francis (President of the General Assembly), H.E. Ambassador Robert Rae (Vice President of the Economic and Social Council), H.E. Ms. Ruchira Kamboj (Permanent Representative of India and Chair of the CSocD62 Bureau), and other high-level panelists. Click here to view a recording of the opening panel.
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