General Assembly General Assembly


 

 

Mr. Chair,


    On behalf of my delegation, I take this opportunity to felicitate you and other Bureau members on election. I assure my delegation’s constructive engagement in the deliberations of the Commission. My delegation associates with the statement made by Egypt on behalf of G-77 and China. 


Mr. Chair,


2.    The Copenhagen World Summit for Social Development and the 24th Special Session of the General Assembly firmly established the mutually reinforcing and synergistic nature of economic development, social development and environmental protection as the keystones of the sustainable development.This has been reiterated in 2030 Agenda.


3.    Despite significant progress in reducing global poverty over last two decades, stark disparities in income levels and quality of life across regions and within countries remain.Strengthening the social dimensions of sustainable development by enhancing policy coherence within social sectors and integration of social policy perspectives into poverty eradication strategies are more relevant than never before. 

Mr. Chair,


4.    The priority theme of this session,“Strategies for eradicating poverty to achieve sustainable development for all” is reflective of our collective commitment to prioritize the social dimensions of development. The way people behave in groups and societies, and the norms of such behavior, have far-reaching impact in shaping development processes. Therefore, sustainable development processes are highly context specific with people as social beings at the centre. There is no “one size fits all” strategy for sustainable development. 

5.    The Commission for Social Development is the forum dedicated to fostering deeper understanding into these multilayered and multidimensional processes in their regional, national and local manifestations. 


Mr. Chair,

6.    The primary responsibility for a country's development lies with the national government. India has adopted a governance model that is committed to inclusive growth aimed at well-being of all our people.India played an important role in shaping the SDGs and has committed to achieving the SDGs even before these were formalized. India’s national development goals are mirrored in the SDGs. India’s Voluntary National Review on the implementation of SDGs, presented at the High Level Political Forum in July last year, bears testimony of this synergy. 

7.    Financial inclusion and employment generation for the rural and urban poor have been at the heart of poverty eradication strategy in India. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides a legal guarantee of a minimum of 100 days of wage employment per household every year for workers in rural areas.Generating employment through public works for developing agricultural infrastructure, productive assets and entrepreneurship-based livelihood opportunities, have met with success in India. Women have been large beneficiaries of this programme.

8.    Pradhan Mantri Jan-DhanYojana (PMJDY) is the financial inclusion scheme for ensuring their access to the entire gamut of financial services, including banking, credit, insurance and pension. By delivering of Government benefits directly into the accounts of beneficiaries, thereby minimizing leakages and administration costs, this initiative has enhanced the effectiveness of social security schemes in the country.

9.    Under the Clean India Mission millions of household toilets have been built.Facilitating access to adequate and safe drinking water as well as sanitation has had far-reaching economic, social and environmental impact.

Mr. Chair, 

10.    Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child movement is catalyzing education of girls. Initiatives such as Skill India Initiative, Make in India, Ease of doing Business are enabling youth for a knowledge-based economy.State support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter and other needs of older persons, protection against bias and exploitation and availability of services to improve quality of their lives are our priorities.

11.    Strengthening social safety nets includes pensions and other benefits for elderly, widows and persons with disabilities. The use of ICT and e-governance in public services are helping the benefits to reach elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable sections directly. 

Mr. Chair,

12.    India is deeply committed to the collective resolve of poverty eradication across the globe and to leave no one behind. India is working with developing countries through capacity building and providing assistance in their endeavours to achieve their development aspirations. 

13.    The United Nations provides an array of unique platforms for sharing of experience among all member states on development strategies. India would continue to engage actively in such deliberations to develop socially inclusive and cohesive development strategies. 

    I thank you Mr. Chair.