The countries of Europe and the CIS more than other regions hit by the global economic crisis

Countries in Europe and the CIS more than other regions hit by the global economic crisis, which led to slower economic growth and has become a threat to the achievements of the past decade, including in the social sphere. This statement was made by UN Assistant Secretary general and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS Kori Udovicki at the UN Conference, which takes place December 7-8 in Almaty (Kazakhstan). BelTA reported Specialist Public Relations Sub-regional offices of the International Labor Organization (ILO) for the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Olga Bogdanova. The conference is organized by four UN agencies - ILO, UNICEF, FAO and UNDP - with support from the Government of Kazakhstan. It involved the Ministers of Labor and Social Welfare, the Ministries of Labor and Social Protection, Finance, Economy and Agriculture from 12 countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine) as well as representatives of the UN system, international and regional financial institutions, bilateral agencies, international organizations of workers and employers, civil society and regional scientific community. Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Turkey remain "on the front lines" of the crisis, which resulted in the sharp decline in GDP and massive job cuts. From April 2008 to April 2009 are in Russia lost their jobs 3,4 million people. In the first quarter of this year, the unemployment rate was 10,3% of the economically active population in Ukraine and 15.8% percent in Turkey. The most serious problem of unemployment has affected youth. Lost their jobs and many migrants, in connection with which a third to reduce their remittances to their homeland. Governments of many countries in the region have taken steps to overcome the crisis and the situation on the labor market, but it is important to establish a macroeconomic framework conducive to increased investment, sustainability of enterprises and productive employment. Despite the general recognition of the role of social protection systems in the crisis period, coverage and quality of these systems in the region are inadequate and in many cases do not meet the needs of vulnerable groups. Many countries in the region have attempted to preserve funding for social services in times of crisis, but few were able to carry out a coordinated strategy for employment and social protection aimed at reducing the impact of the crisis. Needed a more flexible system of social protection that can ensure greater coverage. The conference is scheduled three technical discussions on issues of employment, social protection and food security based on materials prepared by the ILO, UNICEF and FAO.-0 -