At its 56th regular meeting, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy discussed next steps following publication of the second Secretary-General’s report on the SSE, including its upcoming consideration by Member States, and reviewed progress on international statistical work.

Geneva – On 17 September 2026, the 56th regular meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) reviewed developments following the publication of the second United Nations Secretary-General’s report on promoting the social and solidarity economy (SSE) for sustainable development and considered upcoming opportunities to advance its recommendations. The meeting also reviewed progress on SSE statistics and welcomed a new Observer to the Task Force. 

Published on 20 August, the Secretary-General’s report reviews progress in implementing General Assembly resolution 79/213. The International Labour Organization, which chairs the UNTFSSE and provides its secretariat, coordinated preparation of the report in collaboration with the members and observers of the Task Force. A call for inputs resulted in around 40 submissions from Member States, United Nations entities and other relevant stakeholders. The report finds growing legal, policy and institutional recognition of the SSE, while noting uneven progress in implementation and evidence of results. 

The meeting also discussed the next steps of the Group of Friends on the Social and Solidarity Economy, launched in June 2026 and co-chaired by Brazil and Senegal. A ministerial dialogue convened by the Group in New York on 25 September will discuss the findings and recommendations of the Secretary-General’s report, priorities for strengthening international cooperation on the SSE and possible elements of a future third General Assembly resolution. The dialogue can be followed online. 

On statistics, the Task Force received an update on work to translate the institutional definition of the SSE adopted at the 2022 International Labour Conference into a statistical framework. Work is being finalized on a general framework covering conceptual and operational definitions, statistical units, indicators and data sources, alongside work on informal SSE entities and SSE thematic accounts. These efforts are expected to contribute to draft guidelines for consideration by the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028. 

The meeting also welcomed the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Financiers (FEBEA) as a new Observer. FEBEA presented its work on ethical finance and participants discussed opportunities for collaboration on financing for the SSE. Members and Observers also exchanged updates on initiatives and upcoming activities across the Task Force.