USP2030 (sub-)regional engagement on SDG target 1.3

¿ The challenge In 2015, the international community recognized universal social protection as a key element in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as reflected in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 1.3. COVID-19 showed once more, and in a drastic fashion, that social protection is a social, economic and political necessity for inclusive, sustainable and equitable development. To support this commitment to universal social protection, the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (USP2030) was launched in 2016. Co-chaired by the ILO and the World Bank, USP2030 is a multi-stakeholder partnership, founded by and bringing together representatives of governments at different levels of development, social partners, international organizations and civil society organizations that are committed to achieving universal social protection through five agreed actions, centred around the principles of (1) protection throughout the life cycle; (2) universal coverage, including by ensuring that social protection systems are rights-based, gender-responsive and inclusive; (3) national ownership; (4) sustainable and equitable financing; and (5) participation and social dialogue. The composition of USP2030, specifically the participation of countries at different levels of development, makes the partnership a unique international forum in the field of social protection, with its key strategic priorities being (1) advocacy; (2) knowledge development and sharing; and (3) technical exchanges. USP2030 can thereby contribute both to bringing country perspectives and expertise to bear in shaping the global social protection agenda and maintain a strong voice for country ownership, responsibility and participation, as well as to connect global policy dialogues to the national level where actions ultimately take place. However, to date, low- and lower-middle income countries have not been strongly represented in the partnership. Active participation may be limited by a number of factors including, on the one hand, a clear understanding of the benefits of engaging in USP2030 and, on the other hand, constraints in terms of capacities and human resources that could be dedicated to engaging in the partnership. At the same time, these countries stand to benefit most from the partnership as they urgently need to extend social protection to their entire population. This project aims to further explore the challenges that countries face in their active participation in USP2030 , to identify their needs and expectations from the partnership, and to promote capacity-building and peer-to-peer exchanges among countries with similar backgrounds that aim to extend universal social protection. This broader engagement is also timely in light of the Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection, launched by the United Nations’ Secretary-General on 28 September 2021, for which USP2030 could act as an important conduit bringing in country perspectives. Documenting these exchanges will feed into the development of (sub-)regional engagement strategies, thereby strengthening the relevance of USP2030 for its members in line with its key strategic priorities and principles, extending its membership and fostering its inclusivity and representation.

Project symbol

GLO/21/41/SWE

Admin unit

SOCPRO

Start date

01/01/2022

End date

30/06/2023

Total allocation

262518

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

233194

Development Partners

Sweden, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Country/Countries

Global

Outcomes

Outcome 8: Comprehensive and sustainable social protection for all