International Endorsements

The concept of Social Protection Floor emerged within various international events since the early 2000s:

  • In 2001, the International Labour Conference reiterated that social security was a basic human right, and reaffirmed that its extension to all in need was a fundamental part of the ILO’s mandate and a challenge that needed to be addressed seriously and urgently by all member States. Accordingly ILO’s Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for all was launched (2003).
  • The World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization adopts the idea of a ‘socio economic floor’ in its report (2004).
  • ILO Regional Tripartite Meetings on social protection: Latin America (Santiago – 2007), Arab States (Amman – 2008), Asia (New Delhi - 2008).
  • The ILC adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a fair Globalization (June 2008).

2009

Report on the ILO Tripartite Meeting of Experts on Strategies for the Extension of Social Security Coverage, Geneva, 2nd to 4th September 2009.

Recovering from the crisis: A Global Jobs Pact  adopted by the International Labour Conference at its Ninety-eighth Session, Geneva, 19 June 2009. Asking countries to give consideration to building adequate social protection for all, drawing on a basic social protection floor (available in English, French and Spanish).

UNCEB Summary of Conclusions

The UN Chief Executives Board adopts at its first regular session of 2009 in Paris on 4 April 2009, the action framework and 9 crisis initiatives articulated by the High Level Committee on Programmes, including the SPF Initiative.

Guatemala declaration, Towards a response to crisis and sustainability on the long- term based on collaboration, education and culture on social security.

A 2009 initiative of the Inter-American Center for Social Security Studies (CIESS) aimed at the dissemination of the essential principles and values of social security among society, by means of educational programs and the participation of social security institutions and international organizations working in this field. Signatories declare to support the SPF adopted by the UN CEB and ECOSOC. 

Other events

  • OECD DAC (POVNET) endorsed a policy statement on the role of employment and social protection at its High-level Meeting. 

  • SPF adopted by the International Labour Conference as part of the Global Job Pact.

2010

Report of the 17th ILO Tripartite American Regional Meeting, Santiago de Chile, 14–17 December 2010.

Presidency Conclusions on the external dimension of EU employment and social policies, Council of the European Union - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council , Brussels, 6 December 2010. 

EU Statement - United Nations 2nd Committee: Eradication of Poverty and Industrial Development Cooperation, New York, 21 October 2010.

The Yaoundé Tripartite Declaration on the Implementation of the Social Protection Floor adopted at the 2nd Africa Decent Work Symposium, Yaoundé, 6-8 October 2010 - engages African member States and social partners to adopt the principles, main elements and practical aspects of the Social Protection Floor (Available in English and French).

The ASEM 8 Chair’s Statement of the ASEM 8 Summit, Brussels, 4-5 October 2010.

Keeping the promise: united to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Resolution A/RES/64/299  adopted by the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2010. Endorsing the “outcome document of the MDG summit in New York,” that considers the Social Protection Floor concept to be a successful policy and approach.

Joint ILO-IMF Statement at the Oslo Conference, Oslo, 13 September 2010.

EU Statement - United Nations ECOSOC: Social development, 22 July 2010, New York, supports the social protection floor.

Resolution on Extending Social Protection and ensuring Good Occupational Health and Safety , adopted by the International Trade Union Confederation at the 2nd World Congress, Vancouver, 21-25 June 2010. 

The final report of the Ministers at the “European Union, Latin America and Caribbean (EU-LAC) Meeting on the Coordination of Social Security”, held in Alcalá de Henares on 13-14 May 2010, highlights the importance of the UNCEB Social Protection Floor initiative.

The UN Economic and Social Council Resolution 2010/12 on Promoting Social Integration takes note of the joint crisis initiatives launched by the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination in 2009 which aims at advocating for and advising Member States on the provision of social protection floors to promote more inclusive and sustainable social and economic development.

Other events

2011

The G20 Labour and Employment Minister’s Conclusions, the G20 Development Working Group Report and the G20 Cannes Summit Declaration, in September and November 2011.

The Yaoundé Declaration Action Plan, 13th African tripartire regional meeting, Johannesburg, 11-14 October 2011.

The Draft Resolution on Social Protection Education

Adopted at the Education International 6th World Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, 18 to 26 July 2011. This resolution was submitted by Unions of four different regions, promoted by the Education and Solidarity Network and adopted unanimously. 

Resolution, conclusions and report of the Committee for the Recurrent Discussion on the strategic objective of social protection (social security), adopted at the 100th session of the International Labour Conference, Geneva June 2011 (available in English, French and Spanish).

The Declaration of Brasilia on the Social Protection Floor.

Adopted by Brazil, Argentina and Mexico at the G20 Consultation Meeting Argentina, May 2011. (Available in English, French, Spanish and Portugese).

Building a Fairer Future: The Role of Social Policy.

Final Communiqué of the Ministerial Meeting on OECD Social Policy,  Paris, 2-3 May 2011.

The summary report of the ASEM forum on “Social Safety Nets: Enhanced Cooperation to Address Post-Crisis Challenges”, Hanoi, Viet Nam, 18 – 19 April 2011.

The Colombo Declaration

Adopted at the UNESCO Forum/ the third meeting of the Ministers in charge of Social Development - South Asia, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 20-22 February 201. By signing this declaration, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, and Nepal endorsed the social protection floor approach.

Secretary General’s message for 2011, at the World Day of Social Justice, New York, 20 February 2011.

Other events

  • SPF Initiative Interagency Technical Meeting in Turin, Italy.

  • Workshop and joint ILO-IMF meeting  on quantitative SPF assessments and benefits costing in 7 countries.

  • SPF High Level Advisory Group Consultative Workshop.

  • The Ministerial Meeting of OECD, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia and South Africa on Social Policies, held on 2-3 May 2011 - the final communiqué affirms the commitment to ensure sufficient and feasible social protection, including Social Protection Floors.

  • Inter-agency Show and Tell Meeting on Social protection, Bonn.

2012

ILO-AICESIS international conference on SPFs and social dialogue held in Geneva on May 8th and 9th.

Economic and Social Councils members of the AICESIS endorsed the Social Portection Floor and expressed their support for the possible ILO Recommendation.

Civil Society ForumJanuary 31st, New York.

In preparation for the 50th session of the Commission for Social Development, the NGO Committee for Social Development organized an event with the theme “The Social Protection Floor Initiative – Bridging the gap to poverty eradication”.

Commission for Social Development, Deputy Secretary-General calls for speedy action to create jobs and ensure social protection, February 1st, New York.

SPF-I Interagency meeting in New York, January 30th.

Upcoming events

  • The ILC 2012 possible adoption of the proposed Recommendation on SPFs.

  • The G20 Summit 2012 in Mexico.

  • The 2012 ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review.

  • The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20).

 

Learn more about the SPF