Elma Saiz: 'A feminist approach is an essential condition for advancing the 2030 Agenda and human rights'

The Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, speaks at the plenary session of the World Summit on Social Development convened by the United Nations

"We are meeting in Doha guided by the same values: human dignity, equality, solidarity and social justice", said Minister Elma Saiz in her speech at the Plenary of the second World Summit for Social Development convened by the United Nations, whose main objective is to promote social development and the 2030 Agenda. This Summit comes thirty years after the landmark Copenhagen Declaration which was a milestone in the global consensus on eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and fostering social inclusion.

Before the plenary of the Summit, which brought together leaders from all over the world, minister Elma Saiz defended multilateralism and solidarity "as the only effective approach to address the multiple crises we face", in reference to the current context, marked by global inequalities, demographic challenges and technological and environmental transformations.

In this respect, Saiz pointed out that Spain defends the inclusion in the Summit's final declaration of respect for human rights, the guarantee of social and labour rights and the need for universal policies with a gender perspective.

"All these policies must be at the heart of the new global social contract. Incorporating a feminist approach in all public policies is an essential condition for advancing the 2030 Agenda and human rights". In this regard, Saiz noted that the government is preparing the first Spanish Strategy for Feminist Cooperation, which will consolidate this commitment.

Along the same lines, the minister stated that "we must continue to make progress in social protection for all people", and highlighted the importance of public welfare systems as essential tools for eradicating poverty, promoting decent work, and fostering social inclusion.

"Promoting fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, and eliminating child and forced labour are non-negotiable commitments". She also stated that preventing discrimination and violence in the workplace, including that based on sexual orientation and gender identity, is essential. Along this path, "we must ensure transitions together. The ecological, digital and demographic transitions must be transitions with rights, where no one is left behind".

Migrations

"We cannot talk about social development without talking about migration," Elma Saiz stated emphatically, explaining to the plenary that "Spain knows that migration, when it is regular, orderly and safe, is a transformative force that drives inclusive growth and sustainable development. We recognise its positive contributions (economic, social and cultural) in both countries of origin and destination," she said.

"Therefore, we promote a vision of migration based on dignity, rights, and shared opportunities. We will continue to work with partner countries and international organisations to ensure the protection, inclusion and effective integration of migrants, while strengthening social development".

Innovative solutions to promote social inclusion

The Minister also closed a side event entitled Innovative Public Policy Solutions to Promote Social Inclusion where successfully implemented innovative solutions to promote higher levels of social inclusion were shared.

At the meeting, the Secretary General for Inclusion, Elena Rodríguez, highlighted the value of the Public Policy Laboratory and the Social Impact Fund as an effective way of strengthening the participation of the private sector in the social and solidarity economy.

Non official translation