New York, February 08 (QNA) - The State of Qatar has affirmed that the high level of inequality, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, has led to the weakening of social ties and undermined confidence in governments and international institutions.

This came in a speech delivered by HE the State of Qatar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani at the opening of the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD61), in her capacity as Chair of the Commission.

Her Excellency highlighted the importance of the Commission's theme for this year, which comes under the title "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." HE underlined that the world is dealing with multiple and intertwined crises that cause immense suffering, pointing out that these crises are caused by risks that include climate change and animal diseases, exacerbating social and economic inequality, increasing social instability, and political unrest and conflicts.

Her Excellency indicated that evidences show that income inequality has increased in many countries, especially that unequal social opportunities in terms of access to decent work, quality education, health care, or productive assets such as land and credit, still exist in many countries.

She said that creating productive employment and decent work for all is a proven way to reduce the inequality crisis in a sustainable way, adding that employment also promotes a sense of dignity, purpose and social bonds that enhance social inclusion and political participation, so the deliberations of this Commission should refer to wage and social protection policies that can create full and productive employment and decent work and have a greater impact on addressing inequality and challenges facing social inclusion.

The opening session witnessed the presence of high-level representatives from countries, including a large number of ministers of education and social development, in addition to the participation of civil society organizations and a group of experts and specialists in the field of social development from around the world. (QNA)