EU Statement – Presentation of the World Social Summit Political Declaration Zero Draft at ambassadorial level

Excellencies, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia as well as Armenia, Andorra and San Marino align themselves with this statement First, let me thank the Co-facilitators H. E. Ms. Sophie de Smedt Permanent Representative of Belgium and H. E. Mr. Omar Hilale, Permanent Representative of Morocco for their work on this important process, as well as the Secretariat for its support. We look forward to the upcoming negotiations. I stress that the zero draft is a good starting point for that. You can rest assured that the European Union and its Member States will engage actively and constructively in a spirit of cooperation.  With this Declaration, we need to address the gaps, to review progress, and to recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration and its Programme of Action, also give further momentum towards the full and timely implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The three core pillars of the Copenhagen Declaration will of course still be central to the Summit’s Political Declaration. But we also need to take into account the changes in the world since 1995, such as the social (including demographic), digital, and green transitions. It is important to address the transformation of work, and new opportunities and challenges linked to these transitions. The World Social Summit and the Declaration should also provide momentum...