Poverty Eradication General Assembly

The report contains recommendations of concrete measures to advance the long-standing social commitments established in the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development of 1995 and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development. Member States are called upon to: (a) close persistent gaps in access to essential services; (b) improve the quality of services; (c) invest in productive employment and decent work; (d) establish fair, effective and efficient tax systems; (e) promote transparent, inclusive and accountable governance; and (f) strengthen multilateral cooperation rooted in equity, economic security and solidarity.

The report contains an exploration of the central role of social capital as a transformative strategy for addressing multidimensional poverty and strengthening inclusive societies. Recognizing that poverty is both economic and relational in nature, the report serves to highlight how investments in trust, participation and social networks can reduce structural barriers, expand opportunities and foster a shared sense of belonging. 

In the report, national experiences are used to illustrate how social capital can be mobilized across key sectors, including employment, education, health, housing and community development, to address multidimensional poverty. The importance of inclusive governance, intergenerational solidarity and institutional trust as foundations for social inclusion is emphasized. 

The report contains key policy recommendations for Member States, including on the promotion of inclusive and participatory decision-making, support for community-driven initiatives, investment in intergroup collaboration and the integration of social capital into poverty eradication strategies. These actions are essential to realizing the vision of a just, cohesive and sustainable society for all.

The report provides a review of the progress made and the gaps and challenges in implementing the Third United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2018–2027), in the context of a series of severe and mutually reinforcing crises: the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the food and energy crises, rising inflation and climate change. Policies for an inclusive and sustainable recovery are discussed and recommendations put forward for consideration by the Assembly.

The report provides a review of the progress, gaps and challenges in inclusive social development policies and programmes to address homelessness, given the socioeconomic impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The specific challenges faced by disadvantaged groups are discussed. The report shows that, while knowledge of and policies on homelessness are improving, substantial efforts are still needed. Notwithstanding homelessness concerns in developed and developing economies, the report serves to highlight global contrasts, along with the convergence of issues and strategies.   In the report, the Secretary-General proposes possible indicators for social protection and access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing in the aftermath of COVID-19. 

In the present report, the Secretary-General stresses the need to regain lost ground and strengthen national actions and international cooperation to achieve the goals and objectives of the World Summit for Social Development and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He reviews the progress made since 1995, examines the current state of play and highlights global challenges to social development. In this context, the Secretary-General calls upon Member States to commit to bold and transformative actions to revive progress and outlines policies and programmes to address the rise in extreme poverty and food insecurity, the lack of access to quality education and energy and the shortage of employment and decent work around the world. He also presents the outcomes of the sixty-first session of the Commission for Social Development and concludes by identifying policy recommendations for consideration by Member States.