On October 24, Mr. Paul Habsburg, Diplomatic Trainee, delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on the topic of “Extreme Poverty and Human Rights.”
Opening the session, Mr. Olivier de Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, presented his report, emphasising that policy initiatives targeting extreme poverty must be co-designed with the active involvement of people living in poverty. He stressed that this involvement should go beyond merely informing or consulting; instead, people experiencing poverty should have a true role in shaping these solutions. Such participation, he noted, not only builds legitimacy but also improves the effectiveness of these initiatives, as those directly affected understand the obstacles they face and how best to overcome them.
Mr. de Schutter argued that increasing a nation’s GDP is not the ultimate measure of well-being, nor should it be a sole focus. Instead, the focus should be on meeting basic needs and reducing inequality. He expressed satisfaction that, in the Pact for the Future recently adopted by the General Assembly, UN Member States reaffirmed the need to develop progress indicators that go beyond GDP. He noted that the international community is gradually recognising that economic growth is neither a universal remedy nor a prerequisite for all other progress. What matters, he stated, is how growth is pursued, which policies drive it, and who benefits from it.
The Special Rapporteur also warned of a global mental health crisis, driven by a “burnout economy” that fosters status anxiety, tolerates high inequality, and perpetuates job insecurity. He highlighted that individuals on lower incomes are up to three times more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges than those with higher incomes, due largely to growing inequality. In affluent countries, rising inequality often offsets the positive impacts of GDP growth on overall well-being, he stressed.
Mr. de Schutter pointed out that while poverty and inequality contribute to mental disorders, poor mental health also exacerbates poverty, particularly by hindering individuals’ ability to secure stable employment. To address this cycle, he emphasised the need to go beyond a strictly biomedical approach to mental health, advocating for policies that address the broader psychosocial factors that affect mental health.
In his statement on behalf of the Order, Mr. Habsburg emphasised the urgent need to eradicate extreme poverty, highlighting it as a foundational goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He affirmed that, despite global efforts, millions remain trapped in poverty, with UN and World Bank projections indicating slow progress.
Mr. Habsburg drew attention to the Sovereign Order of Malta’s commitment to combating poverty, with specific mention of Malteser International’s work in Haiti. He noted that partnerships with local Haitian organisations focus on urgent nutritional, health, and economic development needs. Mr. Habsburg spoke on how these initiatives aim to improve food security, access to healthcare, and agricultural practices, addressing both immediate and systemic challenges. As he concluded, Mr. Habsburg called for a comprehensive, international approach to eradicate poverty, one that was in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
