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On 10 February 2025, the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted the side event ‘Realizing the right to social security: ensuring the sustainable and equitable financing of social protection’ at CSocD63.
Importance of social protections
The event focused on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 1.3, which is to “implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable”. H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Maria Szczerski, Chairperson of the 63rd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development, began by expressing that we must not view social security systems as a safety net for some, but as a human right for all.
Mr. Thomas Taylor di Pietro, Equality Policy Advisor for the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), emphasized that maintaining strong welfare policies is a mandatory step to sustain and achieve all the UN pillars (Peace and Security, Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Development). This relationship was further explained by Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), who highlighted how social protection systems are essential for promoting income security, decent work, quality work, and accessible healthcare for everyone.
Calls to achieve strengthened social protection systems
Speakers discussed how social security systems can be strengthened. They expressed the importance of governments exploring all available funding options to support this goal. Speakers also called for increased international support to complement national efforts. While individual governments bear primary responsibility for domestic social protections, global solidarity is essential to realize the right to social protection for everyone, everywhere.
The event marked the official launching of Fact Sheet No. 39: Right to Social Security, published jointly by OHCHR and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The fact sheet aims to raise awareness of the right to social security, provide strategies on how to overcome structural inequalities and assess methods for financing social protection. It further serves as a resource for States, United Nations Country Teams, and other stakeholders in implementing comprehensive and inclusive social security systems.
To watch the live stream of this event, please click here.
Source: UN DESA