The meeting was co-chaired by Simel Esim of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Chantal Line Carpentier from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Key discussions centered around regional updates, UNTFSSE governance, and progress in priority areas, including policy coherence, education and capacity building, access to finance, and SSE statistics, as outlined in the UNTFSSE Strategic Action Plan 24-26.
The meeting commenced with the introduction of Víctor Meseguer Sánchez, a consultant supporting the recently launched UNTFSSE Technical Working Group on Financial Access and Support (TWGFAS). Víctor, Spain's former Special Commissioner for Social Economy and former Director of Social Economy Europe, was welcomed to help bolster UNTFSSE's initiatives on financial access for SSE entities.
Subsequent discussions focused on advancing the implementation of UNGA Resolution A/RES/77/281, which promotes the SSE for sustainable development. Chantal Line Carpentier briefed participants on UNCTAD's submission of the Secretary-General's report and its anticipated presentation to the 79th UN General Assembly's Second Committee in October 2024.
Efforts to formalize UNTFSSE governance were also addressed, with invitations extended to potential new members, including UN-Habitat, the African Union, and RIFESS.
Regional Highlights
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to regional updates, showcasing key SSE developments:
- European Commission: Representatives highlighted the implementation of the EU social economy action plan, including a council recommendation for member states to create national social economy strategies. Margit Perko of DG Employment discussed recent collaborations with the OECD on impact measurement and the promotion of socially responsible public procurement. Patrick Klein from DG GROW outlined ongoing efforts, including a proposal for an EU law on cross-border associations and preparations for a cooperative conference in Brussels in March 2024.
- African Union: The AU recently adopted its 10-year SSE strategy and implementation plan in August 2024. A forthcoming webinar on 19 September will present findings from AU and ILO research on the SSE in six African countries.
- RIFESS (Ibero-American Network on the SSE): Updates were provided by Juan Martinez Louvier and Jorge Arturo Abascal Jimenez on RIFESS's registration, objectives and the outcomes of the recent seminar. Discussions included upcoming LAC ministerial events and the role of SSE in the popular economy.
Progress on Priority Areas
The meeting also focused on progress in four strategic areas:
- Policy Coherence: Participants discussed the integration of the SSE into various policy frameworks, including the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting and national strategies from the EU, AU, and Viet Nam.
- Education and Capacity Building: Updates on the UNTFSSE Knowledge Hub and the SSE MOOC on the ITCILO eCampus were shared, alongside discussions on the UNTFSSE Awards, with funding secured from multiple partners.
- Access to Finance: The first meeting of the Technical Working Group on Financial Access and Support for SSE entities was held, with subgroups formed to develop reports and engagement plans with financial institutions. Participants were encouraged to provide input on the upcoming 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla in 2025.
- Statistics on the SSE: The ILO provided updates on securing funding and conducting an evaluation for the next phase of its statistics initiative. The work will include work on the methodological front, a community of practice and an ILO / UNTFSSE Technical Working Group on statistics of the SSE.
Looking Ahead
Participants reviewed a calendar of upcoming global events, including:
- The Global Conference for the launch of the second UN International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 Launch in New Delhi, India in November, 2024 as organized by the ICA.
- COP16 Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, on October 26, 2024 which will include a UNEP panel on inclusion / trade.
- Just Transition Dialogue on October 2-3, 2024.
- Second World Summit for Social Development 2025
- ICA-CCR Global Research Conference: Intercooperation for our common futures on July 08, 2025 in Montreal, Canada
- Mont Blanc Meeting, January 2025 Geneva
- 10th CIRIEC International Research Conference on Social Economy, Bordeaux, France, 27-29 October 2025
The meeting concluded with plans to reconvene in December 2024 to continue advancing the SSE agenda within the UN system and beyond.
