Engagement Opportunities in the lead up to WSSD2 2025

The panel discussion will cover the challenges faced by workers in the informal economy to enjoy their rights to work and to social security, particularly in the context of the changing world of work due to new technologies and climate impact, exploring ways to improve their access to decent job opportunities and decent working conditions, to extend social security coverage to them, and to support transitions to the formal economy, based on the experiences of States, civil society, including trade unions and professional associations, relevant United Nations agencies and other stakeholders; Panel will also discuss the effective ways for the workers in the informal economy to have their concerns heard and to meaningfully participate in the development of legislation and policies relating to their rights to work and social security.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will prepare a summary note on the discussion, which will inform an analytical report on the realization of the rights to work and to social security in the informal economy, based on the panel discussion, and to be submitted to the Human Rights Council at its sixtieth session.

High level speakers from OHCHR, ILO and other relevant partners will deliver high-level messages that can be linked to WSSD2 and UN advocacy. The 58th session will also include a presentation on the work mandated by the Human Rights Council on care and support economy and systems (RES/54/6).

Engaging school children in five countries across the region in WSS2 themes and raising awareness of impact at community level. The challenges facing the Arab region, including conflicts, food shortages, widespread poverty, low rates of education and the consequent problems such as displacement, brain drain, food insecurity and aggravated pollution, among others, have been the main topics of "The ESCWA Stories", Volume 4.

Online expert group meetings have been carried out in the Africa, Asia, LAC regions and Nordic countries reaching over 80 experts to identify regional priorities and perspectives. A brief for each consultation has been developed and disseminated widely to inform the WSSD consultations. Link to video broadcasts insights shared at the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development in February 2025.

Prepare at least four targeted research outputs on poverty eradication, inequality reduction, transformative social policies and just transitions. Disseminate these briefs to provide evidence-based guidance to policymakers and stakeholders. Invite external experts to contribute to a blog series on key issues related to contemporary social development challenges. Amplify the blog series through strategic outreach across digital platforms, newsletters, and social media to ensure broad engagement with diverse audiences.

The objective is to identify controversial aspects of the negotiations around the Political Declaration and prepare briefs designed to facilitate effective multilateral negotiations by providing clear, evidence-based insights and actionable recommendations. These briefs will present comprehensive analyses of key issues, incorporating data, research findings, and best practices from various contexts. By summarizing the positions and concerns of different stakeholders, they seek to ensure that all voices are considered, fostering a balanced and inclusive approach to decision-making. Visual aids such as charts, graphs, and infographics will make complex information more accessible, helping negotiators quickly grasp the essential points.