UNTFSSE
United Nations Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy explores strategic alignment and sustainability amid global challenges
The 52nd meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) was held virtually on 13 May 2025, bringing together over 40 participants from more than 20 organizations to reflect on strategic priorities, engagement in multilateral processes, and the sustainability of the Task Force.
23 May 2025
GENEVA (ILO News) - Participants discussed ways to strengthen the integration of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) into international policy processes, including the Second World Social Summit, the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), and the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC 2025). They noted the brief reference to cooperatives and the wider SSE in the draft declaration of the World Social Summit, and emphasized the importance of coherence across global processes.
The newly released World Social Report 2025 was welcomed as a valuable contribution to global policy dialogue. Its focus on inequality and economic insecurity was seen as reinforcing the relevance of the SSE in advancing social inclusion, poverty reduction, and full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all.
Participants also discussed the long-term sustainability of the Task Force. They noted that the UNTFSSE continues to operate without a dedicated budget and depends on secretariat support from the International Labour Organization (ILO). In light of ongoing UN reform discussions, the Chair called for strategic planning to safeguard the Task Force’s ability to continue delivering on its mandate.
Preparations are ongoing for the 5th UNTFSSE Technical Symposium, to be hosted by Spain in Murcia on 4–5 December 2025. The symposium will serve as a platform to assess progress, foster inclusive dialogue, and help define the strategic direction of the Task Force.
Participants welcomed the release of a new policy brief, “Financing for Development: Unlocking the Potential of the Social and Solidarity Economy”, prepared by the ILO as the UNTFSSE Secretariat. Developed in the context of preparations for FfD4, the brief outlines key policy recommendations to help position the SSE in global development finance agendas. It will be available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
Participants also welcomed the webinar “Mainstreaming the Social and Solidarity Economy in the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4)”, co-organized by RIPESS and the UNTFSSE Technical Working Group on Financial Access and Support for SSE entities, aimed at advancing the role of the SSE in global development finance discussions.
The meeting contributed to ongoing efforts to ensure that the social and solidarity economy can contribute to and feature in multilateral processes, including the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, the World Social Summit, and the second International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, as encouraged by United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/213.