Governments from across United Nations regional groups have launched the Group of Friends on the Social and Solidarity Economy at the International Labour Organization (ILO), creating a new platform to strengthen cooperation, share experiences, and advance social justice.
The initiative brings together around 30 governments to support dialogue and collaboration on the social and solidarity economy, with a focus on promoting decent work, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth.
The launch meeting was convened by the governments of Brazil, Colombia, and Spain and hosted by the ILO in Geneva. The platform aims to encourage international cooperation and help governments exchange knowledge, coordinate efforts, and support future multilateral discussions on the role of social and solidarity economy models.
Representatives from several countries, along with social partners, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies, and other stakeholders, participated in the meeting. Discussions focused on strengthening policies that recognize the contribution of cooperatives, community organizations, and other social economy actors.
The ILO highlighted its long-standing commitment to the social and solidarity economy agenda and reaffirmed its support for the new group. The initiative aligns with the ILO’s strategy on decent work and the social and solidarity economy, which promotes stronger policy coordination across the international system.
The new platform will also support upcoming global discussions, including United Nations follow-up processes, improved data and statistics on the social and solidarity economy, and efforts to explore how social innovation can contribute to sustainable development.
The Group of Friends remains open to interested governments and aims to strengthen the role of the social and solidarity economy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and shaping future global development priorities.
