The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) and several members participated in the Preparatory Process at the Informal Consultations for the Summit of the Future. The second consultation "Engagement of Major Groups and other Stakeholders and Civil Society" was held on 31 July 2024. Further information is available here.
The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) notes the inclusion of social protection in paras. 18, 33, 52 and 60 in Rev. 2 of the Pact of the Future. Social protection systems play a vital role in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, signalled by their standing as target 3 of Goal 1. Without universal social protection, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its 17 interdependent and interconnected SDGs.
The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) notes with regret, however, the frequent absence of the word ‘universal’ in this revision. Yet Universality is a fundamental principle of multilateralism and international cooperation as stated in para. 65. All people, from the cradle to the grave, not only those most left behind who are a priority, must have equitable access to social protection.
Social security is a human right, and social protection floors underpin successful poverty elimination strategies. Eliminating poverty and the reduction of inequalities within and between societies, adequate food supply and health care, ensuring regular school attendance for children especially girls and the elimination of discrimination against women of all ages and gender inequities related to unpaid care work require the urgent implementation of SDG Goal 1 target 3. Yet in 2024 more than half of the global population – over 80 per cent in the case of Africa - has no access to these social protection guarantees.
Social protection must not remain a privilege of the few linked to formal employment but must be enjoyed by all, first and foremost the chronically poor and those who are most hard to reach. We call on you therefore to ensure inclusion of universal social protection in the next draft, to support clear actions by all Member States to ensure implementation and rollout of adequately financed social protection floors by 2030.
We look forward to prominent discussions on this important topic at the Summit of the Future and future processes including the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025.
