The launch meeting of the Group of Friends on the Social and Solidarity Economy, co-convened by Brazil, Colombia and Spain, was held at the International Labour Organisation headquarters in Geneva.
Interested governments, including Barbados, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Luxembourg, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, the State of Palestine and Uzbekistan, shared priorities and experiences concerning cooperation on the SSE. Their interventions reflected growing interest in strengthening intergovernmental dialogue and coordination on the SSE at the global level.
Stakeholder reflections from United Nations entities, SSE actors and other partners highlighted opportunities for collaboration across policy, research, advocacy and implementation. Contributions included reflections from Social Economy Europe President, Juan Antonio Pedreño, who highlighted that “for SEE, this group of friends has come together at a pivotal moment, and we hope it will mark a milestone in the unstoppable process of recognition for the social economy”.
The discussions highlighted the SSE’s contribution to decent work, sustainable development, and social justice, as well as its relevance to ongoing efforts to advance a human rights economy, eradicate poverty beyond growth, and strengthen cooperation across countries and institutions.
Following the launch, interested governments continued with a coordination meeting to discuss next steps, including the Group’s terms of reference and a possible joint declaration.
Read the press release of the International Labour Organization here.
