Explanation of Position by John F. Sammis, Deputy Representative to ECOSOC, on Third Committee Resolution A/C.3/66/L.8/Rev.1 "Promoting social integration through social inclusion," November 18, 2011

John F. Sammis
United States  Deputy Representative to ECOSOC 

New York, NY

November 18, 2011

The United States supports many elements of this new resolution on social inclusion. However, we must express our reservations about preambular paragraph 14 of the resolution. This paragraph is not germane to the subject of social inclusion. Progress toward social inclusion is driven primarily by policies and practices at the national and local levels.

Market access and debt relief are important issues in their own right, but are far from pertinent to the issue at stake in this resolution. We believe that this resolution would benefit in the future from a more disciplined focus on issues more directly connected to social inclusion.

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