USP2030 and the World Social Summit 2025

Universal social protection is a precondition for social development to prevent and reduce poverty and inequalities. Sound policy and legal frameworks, sustainable and equitable financing, and reliable delivery systems are necessary conditions to achieve tangible progress in ensuring adequate, comprehensive social protection for all as a cornerstone for social development within planetary boundaries. The costs of investing in social protection pay off through macroeconomic multiplier effects, increased productivity and resilience. However, almost half of the global population is still not covered by any social protection. Social protection systems anchored in law provide a coherent framework to organize social policy interventions for different population groups along their life course, prioritizing marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Therefore, USP2030 calls on member States and other actors convening at the World Social Summit (WSSD) to make the following commitments:

Commitment 1 – Achieving Universal Social Protection, by, among other measures, committing to an annual increase of at least 2-percentage points in the share of their population covered for at least one life cycle risk.

Commitment 2 – Ensuring sustainable and equitable financing for social protection through adequate domestic resource mobilization and strengthened international cooperation and financing for social protection.

Commitment 3 – Building reliable delivery mechanisms to ensure effective and inclusive access to social protection, including in situations of fragility and conflict, by for instance accelerating investments in civil registration, digital transformation, and other measures aimed at strengthening the operations of social protection systems.

Commitment 4 – Leveraging Social Protection for Climate Action, including synergies on financing, and through the inclusion of social protection in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to support the expansion and increase ability of social protection systems to address climate risks.

Read the full statement here.

Mission

As the socio-economic consequences of environmental, demographic, digital transitions are felt by all, especially the most vulnerable, the need for universal social protection is clearer than ever. It has never been more urgent to deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially target 1.3, to implement national social protection systems and realize the human right to social protection for all.

USP2030 has grown into a worldwide alliance which, for the first time, brings together governments, international and regional organisations, social partners and civil society organisations, in a shared commitment towards ensuring social protection for all. Members and partners.

USP2030 members can:

draw upon a global network of key actors with cutting-edge expertise in universal social protection Members and Partners
exchange country experiences in formulating and implementing social protection policies, and monitoring progress towards achieving universal social protection Publications
engage in a global forum for knowledge development and sharing, bringing together all relevant stakeholders USP2030 Working Groups
bring country and constituency perspectives to bear, in shaping the global social protection agenda and maintain a strong voice for country ownership, responsibility and participation Advocacy

Why Universal Social Protection?

Universal social protection (USP) refers to a nationally defined system of policies and programmes that provide equitable access to all people and protect them throughout their lives against poverty and risks to their livelihoods and well-being. This protection can be provided through a range of mechanisms, including in cash or in-kind benefits, contributory or non-contributory schemes, and programmes to enhance human capital, productive assets, and access to jobs. This includes adequate cash transfers for all who need it, especially: children; benefits/support for people of working age in case of maternity, disability, work injury or for those without jobs; and pensions for all older persons.

Universal social protection …

… prevents and reduces poverty, promotes social inclusion and dignity of vulnerable populations.

… contributes to economic growth: raising incomes increases consumption, savings and , investment at the household level, and raises domestic demand at the macro level.

… promotes human development: cash transfers facilitate access to nutrition and education, thus resulting in better health outcomes, higher school enrolment rates, reduced school drop-out rates, and a decline in child labor.

… increases productivity and employability by enhancing human capital and productive assets.

… protects individuals and families against the losses due to shocks, whether they be pandemics, natural disasters, or economic downturns.

… builds political stability and social peace, reducing inequalities, social tensions and violent conflict; social protection ensure greater social cohesion and participation.

… is a human right that everyone, as a member of society, should enjoy, including children, mothers, persons with disabilities, workers, older persons, migrants, indigenous peoples and minorities.

Call to Action

The members of the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (USP2030), gathered in Geneva on 5 February 2019 at the International Conference ‘Together to Achieve Universal Social Protection by 2030’, call on all countries to live up to their commitment to develop nationally-owned social protection systems for all, including floors, as articulated in the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Universal social protection is key to sustained inclusive economic and social development, for individuals, communities and nations. It is also a human right.

Members of USP2030 commit to 5 Actions around the core principles of universal social protection:

1. Protection throughout the life cycle: Establish universal social protection systems, including floors, that provide adequate protection throughout the life cycle, combining social insurance, social assistance and other means, anchored in national strategies and legislation;
2. Universal coverage: Provide universal access to social protection and ensure that social protection systems are rights-based, gender-sensitive and inclusive, leaving no one behind;
3. National ownership: Develop social protection strategies and policies based on national priorities and circumstances in close cooperation with all relevant actors;
4. Sustainable and equitable financing: Ensure the sustainability and fairness of social protection systems by prioritizing reliable and equitable forms of domestic financing, complemented by international cooperation and support where necessary;
5. Participation and social dialogue: Strengthen governance of social protection systems through institutional leadership, multi-sector coordination and the participation of social partners and other relevant and representative organisations, to generate broad-based support and promote the effectiveness of services.

Read the complete Call to Action:

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French

Portuguese

German

Russian

Chinese

Arabic

How to Join USP2030?

USP2030 welcomes new members that fully support the partnership’s objectives and vision as stated above and contribute to its realization through advocacy, knowledge development and sharing, or technical exchanges and joint support to countries.