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Asian, Europen leaders call for realizing social cohesion

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-26 09:17

BEIJING - Asian and European leaders called here on Saturday all the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) partners to realize social cohesion through sustainable development.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Beijing October 24, 2008. [Agencies]

In the Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development issued upon the conclusion of the seventh summit of the ASEM, the leaders stressed that sustainable development and social cohesion were mutually supportive, and it was through sustainable development that the wealth of society will be increased, people's lives and human rights will be improved and respected, and social equity and justice will be guaranteed.

The declaration said that the ASEM partners share a common interest in strengthening social cohesion through coherent dialogue and cooperation, thus effectively contributing to a sustainable social dimension of globalization.

The leaders recognized the importance of social justice to social cohesion. They emphasized that more efforts should be made by ASEM partners to invest in human capital and optimal utilization of human resources, provide basic education, extend the coverage and improve the quality of secondary and higher education, promote professional and vocational education and enhance lifelong learning for everyone.

The leaders recognized the need for social protection systems, to provide social security and support labour-market participation. They emphasized that achieving a fair distribution of incomes is of great relevance to social cohesion.

The declaration also encouraged ASEM partners to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the labour, employment, and social fields.

The leaders noted that ensuring social cohesion and mitigating economic and social imbalances, within and among countries, sound, adequate and sustainable social protection, consumer safety and social security systems covering both formal and informal sectors within urban and rural areas are needed.

They recognized that international migration provides shared benefits and called on ASEM partners to develop a comprehensive approach on migration, including the promotion of legal migration, effectively addressing irregular migration, as well as the link between migration and development.

As for the population ageing, a grave challenge facing both developed and developing countries, the declaration stressed that goals, objectives and commitments identified in the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 and the related regional strategies are to be met by ASEM partners.

The leaders recognized that harmony between man and nature is part of social harmony. Ecological civilization is an important building block for social cohesion.

They welcomed the initiative of ASEM Eco-City Network proposed by China and encouraged ASEM partners to take an active part in it.

The declaration also encouraged all ASEM partners to promote corporate social responsibility at both national and international level. It encourage businesses to voluntarily undertake social responsibilities, complying with respective national conditions and international norms and laws and contribute to fostering a prosperous, harmonious and socially responsible business environment.