The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened the Global Tripartite Advisory Committee (GTAC) meeting in Geneva on 29 October 2025 to assess the progress of its Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All and to chart its next phase. The GTAC, which brings together representatives from governments, employers, and workers, serves as a key governance body guiding the programme’s direction. Participants reviewed the achievements of the second phase (2021–2025) and discussed strategies, partnerships, and funding needs for the upcoming third phase.
Opening the session, Shahra Razavi, Director of the Universal Social Protection Department, and Peter van de Rooij, Director of the Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department, emphasized that social protection remains central to global efforts to reduce poverty, promote equality, and ensure just transitions. They highlighted the need for continued collaboration and investment to advance universal social protection.
Valérie Schmitt, Deputy Director of the Universal Social Protection Department and Head of the SPF Flagship Programme, presented key outcomes from Phase II. The programme surpassed its targets, supporting 50 countries in achieving 149 institutional improvements such as new legislation, expanded schemes, and improved monitoring and financing mechanisms. These initiatives have extended social protection coverage to nearly 56 million people worldwide, strengthening resilience and inclusion across partner countries.
Discussions then focused on shaping the strategic direction for Phase III (2026–2030). The forthcoming strategy aims to strengthen comprehensive and inclusive social protection systems covering all branches of social security, while prioritizing vulnerable groups such as informal workers, refugees, and migrants. It also envisions leveraging social protection to promote just transitions by supporting greener economies, digital transformation, crisis response, and demographic adaptation.
The next phase will emphasize sustainable financing and policy coherence, including mobilizing domestic resources, engaging the private sector, and fostering evidence-based advocacy to expand social protection investments. The session concluded with an update on resource mobilization efforts, acknowledging progress achieved while identifying funding gaps that must be addressed to sustain momentum and achieve universal social protection for all.
