Statement by Elena Marmo (GPF) on behalf of the Women’s Major Group (pdf)
As the effects of the pandemic deepen inequalities, women and girls in all of their diversity remain at the forefront of those impacted with increasing care work, gender gaps, gender-based violence and school drop-outs. COVID-19 has shown there is an urgent need for systemic re-strengthening of the public sector. However, current partnership mechanisms like PPPs, “multistakeholderism” and “networked multilateralism” favor corporations and private philanthropy. These market-driven solutions promoted by market actors have proven inadequate to this task. Further, Member States, namely those in the Global North, must consider how the failure to meet the Funding Compact’s 30% core resource target has led to corporatization and financialization of the UNDS. In turn, it is time for Member States to regain their regulatory power over corporations that violate Human Rights. The power imbalance and lack of accountability in current partnership approaches needs to be replaced with a more accountable and equitable system that operates in the interests of people and the planet, rather than profit.
This includes the following:
– Coherence with Human Rights mechanisms for partners, not voluntary principles and commitments
– Evaluation of when and if goals might be achieved better with strict regulation and multilateral governance rather than partnerships.
– For example, the failure of COVAX demonstrates the need for the WTO TRIPS Waiver with the responsibility resting on the Global North
– Promote public ownership, rather than privatization, in UN country programmes with greater consultation of civil society when developing UN CP documents and programming – Member States must meet their funding commitments to the UNDS
– Awareness of the distinction between public and private interest of the possible partners and possible conflict of interests
– Partnerships should be underpinned by an understanding of the UN as the primary duty bearer internationally, and Member States as duty bearers first and foremost.
UN Press Release on the session:
Heavy Debt Burdens, Vaccine Apartheid, Growing Inequality Thwarting Pandemic Recovery in Developing Countries, Economic and Social Council Partnerships Forum Hears