UN Task Force stresses need to safeguard progress as the social and solidarity economy gains recognition

GENEVA (ILO NEWS) - On 24 September 2025, the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) met virtually for its 54th Regular Meeting. Members and Observers welcomed the agreed text of the Doha Political Declaration, to be formally adopted by Member States at the Second World Summit for Social Development on 4–6 November 2025, which includes references to cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy (SSE). They cautioned that recognition alone is insufficient.

Noting that the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is drawing to a close, they emphasized that without sustained engagement across relevant processes, recent progress could be rolled back. They also noted that budget pressures across UN entities, other international organizations, and national administrations are already affecting work on the SSE. They added that funding is not currently secured for several planned activities, including preparatory work for the 2026 report of the UN Secretary-General on promoting the SSE for sustainable development.

© ILO

© ILO

Looking ahead, the Secretariat briefed participants of host-led preparations for the 5th UNTFSSE Technical Symposium in Murcia, Spain (4–5 December 2025), which is expected to inform priorities for 2026–2027. These priorities will also inform the content of the 2026 Secretary-General’s report on SSE, and ensure alignment with broader global agendas, including follow-up to the World Social Summit. There are also plans by Member States to establish an informal platform for intergovernmental coordination on the SSE at the United Nations, with the final designation to be confirmed.

As constraints on fiscal and policy space reverberate across the UN and multilateral system, the social and solidarity economy plays a countercyclical role in helping to prevent and mitigate crises, while advancing resilience, inclusion and sustainability.

Simel Esim, Chair of the UNTFSSE, Head of ILO COOP/SSE

Regional and institutional updates highlighted both momentum and pressures facing the SSE agenda, as evolving priorities and budget constraints test policy coherence. Participants emphasized the importance of safeguarding conceptual coherence and clarifying how the SSE relates to other approaches, including inclusive business, without conflating them.

The meeting also noted the release of a new publication by the UNTFSSE Technical Working Group on Financial Access and Support for SSE entities led by UN Trade and Development, Boosting the contribution of social and solidarity economy entities to sustainable development: A collection of good practices to strengthen their access to finance.

The Task Force is planned to reconvene in November ahead of the Technical Symposium in Murcia to finalize preparations, wrap up the International Year of Cooperatives and maintain coordinated momentum into 2026.