EU and several of its Member States confirm support for Global Accelerator
At a High-level Dialogue in New York, the EU and the governments of Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain, expressed their commitment to the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.
BRUSSELS (ILO News) – During the ECOSOC Financing for Development Forum in New York, the ILO, UNDP and UNICEF hosted a High-level Policy and Financing Dialogue on the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. The Global Accelerator aims to help countries direct financing to support the creation of 400 million decent jobs, extend social protection coverage to over 4 billion people who are currently unprotected, and facilitate just transitions.
The governments of Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain issued a joint statement during the ministerial roundtable, confirming their support for the Global Accelerator. They recognize the need for decisive action. “A quick and effective roll-out of the Global Accelerator is needed more than ever. Four billion people are waiting. The world needs to extend social protection coverage, while providing decent jobs, primarily in the green, blue, digital and care economies”, said André Francisco, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, delivering the statement.
The countries welcome the progress which has been made since the Global Accelerator was launched by the UN Secretary-General, notably on the implementation strategy, the design and the broad consultations.
They underlined the need to fill the global financing gap in social protection, which will require dedicating the maximum available domestic and international resources.
The current crises are disproportionately impacting those without social protection coverage. “Without any kind of social protection, one instance of bad luck, one bad decision can mean abject poverty and suffering. It does not have to be this way,” said Caroline Gennez, Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation and of Major Cities.
Belgium wants to put the promotion of decent work and social protection at the centre of sustainable development. No single country or agency can address these challenges alone. “The Global Accelerator can be the necessary push to achieve social protection for all,” she concluded.
The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in New York, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, expressed the EU’s support to the Global Accelerator. “We fundamentally share the objectives of the Global Accelerator, with the implementation of labour rights, decent work, universal social protection and just and green digital transitions. Our Global Gateway initiatives pursue similar objectives in promoting sustainable investment and jobs in our partner countries,” he said.
Several pathfinder countries, including Malawi, Namibia and Nepal, shared their views during the ministerial roundtable. A video of the event is available here.
The governments of Belgium, Germany, Portugal and Spain issued a joint statement during the ministerial roundtable, confirming their support for the Global Accelerator. They recognize the need for decisive action. “A quick and effective roll-out of the Global Accelerator is needed more than ever. Four billion people are waiting. The world needs to extend social protection coverage, while providing decent jobs, primarily in the green, blue, digital and care economies”, said André Francisco, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal, delivering the statement.
The countries welcome the progress which has been made since the Global Accelerator was launched by the UN Secretary-General, notably on the implementation strategy, the design and the broad consultations.
They underlined the need to fill the global financing gap in social protection, which will require dedicating the maximum available domestic and international resources.
This means joining efforts in strengthening the capacity to formalise work and collect taxes, as well as fighting tax evasion, fraud in contributions and other irregularities,”
Mr Francisco said.
Belgium wants to put the promotion of decent work and social protection at the centre of sustainable development. No single country or agency can address these challenges alone. “The Global Accelerator can be the necessary push to achieve social protection for all,” she concluded.
The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in New York, Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, expressed the EU’s support to the Global Accelerator. “We fundamentally share the objectives of the Global Accelerator, with the implementation of labour rights, decent work, universal social protection and just and green digital transitions. Our Global Gateway initiatives pursue similar objectives in promoting sustainable investment and jobs in our partner countries,” he said.
Several pathfinder countries, including Malawi, Namibia and Nepal, shared their views during the ministerial roundtable. A video of the event is available here.