Family ECOSOC

As part of the preparations for and observance of the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the report is focused on the impact of climate change on the well-being of families, highlighting challenges relating to food and water scarcity, worsening physical and mental health, increased intrafamilial violence and child marriage.

In the report, the Secretary-General focuses on the role of families in climate action, as food producers, educators, consumers and advocates, and elaborates on policy implications, including under updated nationally determined contributions. He also highlights good practices in family policymaking at the national and regional levels and describes the activities carried out in preparation for and observance of the anniversary at all levels. He concludes the report with recommendations to strengthen the resilience of families against shocks, including by investing in education on climate change and early warning systems about adverse climate events; to enact policies that enable families to make environmentally friendly consumer choices through various socioeconomic and financial incentives; and to support evidencebased research on the impact of megatrends and complex crises on families, as part of the follow-up to the anniversary and beyond.

As part of the preparations for the thirtieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the report focuses on analysis of demographic trends and their impact on families and family-oriented policies. With regard to fertility decisions and maternal mortality reduction, the Secretary-General recommends provision of quality education, ensuring access to reproductive health services and family planning and investment in health-care facilities in remote areas. In terms of work-family balance, the Secretary-General suggests investing in flexible working arrangements, parental leave and high quality and affordable childcare.

With regard to ageing, recommendations are offered on social security and pensions, family-based care systems for older persons and institutional health-care provision, especially long-term care. Moreover, the importance of investment in intergenerational facilities, such as intergenerational shared sites and multigenerational living arrangements, is emphasized. The Secretary-General furthermore describes the current state of preparations for the observance of the thirtieth the anniversary of the International Year of the Family at all levels.