Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection has been officially launched

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted a year ago, calls on governments, under goal 1.3, to implement "nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors” based on the ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202).

A major step to meet this target by 2030 was made last week at the UN General Assembly (21 September) where world leaders launched an unprecedented effort to roll out universal social protection in countries all around the world in the shape of the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection. During the high level conference where the initiative was launched, a series of 23 case studies were presented demonstrating that universal social protection is feasible in developing countries and documenting how many developing countries have achieved universality.

SOLIDAR welcomes the initiative, led by the ILO and the World Bank, as it may encourage other developing countries to move towards universality. Moreover, as the SOLIDAR infographic illustrates, social protection floors enable people to access other rights. As noted by the CESCR (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), by providing a minimum essential level of benefits to all individuals and families, it enables them to acquire at least essential health care, basic shelter and housing, water and sanitation, foodstuffs, and the most basic forms of education.

At the EU level, EU development cooperation policy and programmes are already greatly contributing to the achievement of social protection for all. SOLIDAR believes that the forthcoming review of the National Indicative Programmes (NIPs) - negotiated in the framework of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) - and the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, will be further opportunities to support partner countries to scale up their social protection schemes and systems and better align the EDF programmes with the SDG Agenda 2030 spirit.

With this in mind, through our Social Protection Monitor, SOLIDAR has consulted its partners in eight African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (ACP States) on what the EU should focus its development cooperation programmes on.