In the report (available in English | French | Spanish | Russian | Arabic | Chinese), the Secretary General addresses the need for a socially just transition towards a more inclusive, equitable, resilient and sustainable development. He provides an analysis of policies to be adopted and actions to be taken toward that end. The report highlights the role of digital technologies in promoting social development and well-being for all. It pays particular attention to disadvantaged, marginalized and vulnerable groups and communities and contains recommendations on how countries can make further progress on those issues.

By adopting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States committed to achieving sustainable development for all nations and people in all segments of society. The Agenda is based on the ideals of inclusiveness and shared prosperity and Member States pledged to leave no one behind and to endeavour to reach the furthest behind first. With 10 years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, addressing the inter-linkages between social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development will require pursuing a socially just transition that is people-centred and grounded in the principles of social justice.

The economic and social fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatic impact on social development and well-being worldwide. The crisis risks reversing decades of progress in the fight against poverty and exacerbating already existing inequalities. At the same time, the COVID-19 crisis requires rethinking existing socio-economic policy frameworks in order to ‘rebuild better’. It has sparked a global dialogue on ways forward out of the crisis to build more inclusive and equitable societies by aligning policy frameworks with the vision and overarching objectives of the 2030 Agenda.

In the report the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is highlighted “as alternative model of growth aimed at finding a new balance between economic efficiency and social and environmental resilience (…) By empowering individuals through greater control over decision-making processes and resources, the social and solidarity economy fosters economic dynamism, social and environmental protection and socio-political empowerment.”

The discussion on the priority theme will be held during the Fifty-ninth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD59) which takes place from 8–17 February 2021.