Un Official Urges Integration Of Social Concerns Into Economic Recovery Policies

Un Official Urges Integration Of Social Concerns Into Economic Recovery
Policies

New York, Oct 3 2011 6:05PM
A senior United Nations official today urged countries to pursue economic
policies that take social considerations into account to ensure that the
poor, youth, persons with disability and the elderly do not continue to bear
the brunt of fiscal austerity measures and unemployment in the uncertain
global economy.

?Successful policies are those that do not overlook the fact that economic
policies have social implications,? said Sha Zukang, the
Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and
Secretary-General of next year?s UN Conference on Socials Development
(Rio+20) to be held in Brazil.

?Successful policies are those that promote economic and social development
together with human rights protection, more [and] better jobs, social
cohesion and less inequality,? Mr. Sha said in an address to the annual
opening of the Third Committee of the General Assembly, which deals with
social, humanitarian and cultural affairs.

In his speech, delivered by Thomas Stelzer, the Assistant Secretary-General
for Policy Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, Mr. Sha stressed that the
world must design ways of integrating social and economic policies to ensure
?people-centred recovery and long-term? sustainable development.

The official highlighted three approaches that he said could facilitate the
achievement of inclusive and sustainable development.

?First, in the current economic climate, it is important to maintain our
commitment to poverty eradication and social justice. We must retain and
strengthen social objectives, not to diminish them,? he said, noting that
countries must safeguard growth-enhancing social expenditures even at they
strive to bring fiscal deficits under control.

?Second, experience has shown that job creation is paramount. As policy
responses to the current crises are developed, jobs are needed for inclusive
recovery and poverty reduction.

?Third, the establishment and expansion of social protection floor is also
imperative. Such a floor protects people from extreme poverty and
deprivation. And it functions as an automatic stabilizer by supporting
aggregate demand during economic downturns,? said Mr. Sha.

He said the Rio+20 will be an opportunity to integrate social concerns with
the economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

?We know that a green economy must support poverty eradication. That is why
we continue to explore? ways in which a green economy can create jobs for
the poor and sustainable livelihoods,? added Mr. Sha.

For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news