India's Active Participation in the 63rd Session of Commission for Social Development

India expressed gratitude to the Commission for its leadership in emphasizing the importance of solidarity and social cohesion to ensure inclusivity and equity.

India took part in the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSoCD), held from February 10 to 14, 2025, in New York, USA. The Indian delegation was led by Smt. Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India (GoI). This session aimed to foster discussions and collaborations on critical social development challenges, focusing on advancing inclusive social policies and promoting global social well-being. The event witnessed the participation of 49 countries, with ministers from 16 nations, including France, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Sweden.

India's Engagement and Key Contributions

India actively participated in the key discussions throughout the session. On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Smt. Savitri Thakur delivered India's statement at the Ministerial Forum, addressing the priority theme: "Strengthening Solidarity and Social Cohesion."

India expressed gratitude to the Commission for its leadership in emphasizing the importance of solidarity and social cohesion to ensure inclusivity and equity. Since the 1995 Copenhagen Summit on Social Development, India has made remarkable strides in addressing poverty, malnutrition, and universal healthcare, while pioneering digital public infrastructure to support sustainable development. By aligning with global best practices and crafting indigenous solutions, India has emerged as a model for the Global South.

Highlights of India's Social Development Initiatives

During her address, Smt. Thakur underscored India's vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas" (Development for All), emphasizing inclusivity as a central tenet of national development. Key highlights included:

1. Financial Inclusion through JAM Trinity: The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhar, Mobile) has facilitated financial inclusion for disadvantaged communities, with a focus on women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

2. Women-Led Development: India has embraced a women-led development approach, ensuring that women play pivotal roles in shaping the nation's development trajectory.

3. Bridging the Gender Digital Divide: Large-scale programs have been launched to promote digital and financial literacy, particularly in rural areas. These initiatives have empowered millions of women entrepreneurs, fostering both start-ups and scalable businesses.

4. Accelerating Progress on the 2030 Agenda: Increasing women's workforce participation remains a key priority. India's robust social protection model includes:

   • 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.
   • Maternity benefits for 37.5 million mothers.
   • A network of One Stop Centres and an integrated National Women's Helpline.
   • Early childhood care, nutrition, and education programs benefiting over 100 million children, mothers, and adolescent girls.

Commitment to Social Protection and Universal Health Coverage

India supported the resolution on the priority theme and is advancing the concept of saturation in social protection, ensuring essential services reach the poorest populations and addressing multidimensional poverty. Key achievements include:

• A rights-based approach to universal health coverage, including reproductive health services.
• Provision of clean cooking fuel, safe drinking water, sanitation, and affordable housing.
• Construction of over 40 million homes for the poor, with women as either sole or joint owners.

Empowering Grassroots Leadership

Nearly 100 million women have been linked with self-help groups (SHGs), significantly contributing to economic transformation and grassroots leadership across the country.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating global progress and supporting the Commission's efforts toward fostering a just and inclusive world. The country's proactive stance and comprehensive social development initiatives continue to serve as a beacon for the Global South, promoting solidarity and social cohesion on a global scale.