The 61st Session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD61) took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 6 to 15 February. The CSocD61 hosted discussions focusing on "Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development", and reviewed the UN Plans and programmes of action pertaining to the situation of social groups, such as realization of the Millennium Development Goals, World Programme of Action for Youth etc. There were 58 side events organized by more than 80 organizations, e.g. the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UN Women, Permanent Missions of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, African Youth Movement etc. The Chair of the CSocD61, H.E. Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, and Ambassador Dai Bing of China's Permanent Mission to the UN and other relevant personnels attended the Session. 

 

At 22:45-24:00 (Beijing Time) on 10 February, the World Eco-Design Conference (WEDC) was invited to organize the Digital Art and Culture Side Event which was successfully held. The Acting Managing Director of the United Nations Technology Bank for Least Developed Countries, Dr. Taffere Tesfachew, President of the WEDC, Prof. Ying Fangtian, Director of ATLAS Partnerships & Innovation, University of Colorado Boulder, U.S., Prof. Ellen Yi-Luen Do, and the Executive Dean of International School of Design, Ningbo Innovation Center of Zhejiang University, China, Professor Yao Cheng attended the Side Event. The guests jointly discussed on the impact of digital technologies and digital divides on youth in the areas of education, employment and health, as well as the edgy technology and experience in the areas of design, digital economy and innovation. 

 

At the end of the Side Event, the digital image representing the WEDC, Eco, launched the Ecology Initiatives, to propose the establishment of an open and cooperative tie among the global design industry based on mutual trust, inclusiveness and win-win situation, and the application of the power of design featuring in creativity, morality, emotion and aesthetics. With a shared vision for enhancing industrial vitality and ecological value, and prospering and protecting the earth, the conference will further contribute to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

 

The Commission for Social Development (CSocD) is one of the eight functional commissions established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The mission is to make suggestions to the governments of member states and the ECOSOC on multiple social policies and development goals etc. Since the convening of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen in 1995, the commission has been the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action. As a result of the Summit, the mandate of the commission was reviewed and its membership expanded from 32 to 46 members in 1996. It meets once a year at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, usually in February. Read full: 61st Session of the Commission for Social Development – CSocD61 | DISD (un.org)