20 November 2024, 11:30-12:30,

Trade and Investment House, Blue Zone of COP29, Baku, Azerbaijan

The Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) movement is a major socio-economic player composed of  a diversity of entities united around common principles and values such as cooperatives, associations, mutual societies, foundations, social enterprises, self-help groups and other entities operating in accordance with the principles of the SSE such as: voluntary cooperation and mutual aid, democratic and/or participatory governance, autonomy and independence, and the primacy of people and social purpose over capital in the distribution and use of surpluses and/or profits. According to the International Cooperative Alliance at least 12% of people on earth is a cooperator, and therefore a member of any of the 3 million cooperatives on earth. Cooperatives provide work opportunities to 10% of the employed population, and the three hundred largest cooperatives or mutuals generate 2,409.41 billion USD in turnover. According to the World Economic Forum Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, social enterprises account for 3% of all businesses in the world. As a growing movement, fully aligned with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the SSE benefits from growing social, political and institutional recognition.  On April 18, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution “Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy for Sustainable Development” (A/RES/77/281), which acknowledges its contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),particularly by supporting a just green transition. SSE entities help mitigate the impacts of climate change, preserve natural ecosystems, promote reuse and recycling, as well as the production of renewable energy. The SSE is a key player in the sustainable production of food by uniting smaller producers and boosting fair trade. SSE plays a critical role in addressing environmental challenges globally, actively supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).  SSE entities often engage in practices that promote sustainable resource management, reduce and reuse of waste, and lower carbon footprints. They are involved in renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, conservation efforts and enhancing biodiversity with BioTrade initiatives. Following the UN resolution on SSE, all Member States were called upon to participate in the drafting of an implementation report and a United Nations Secretary General report on advancing SSE has just been released. This event will gather SSE experts, policy makers, practitioners and financiers to analyse how the SSE can contribute to advance a just green transition at global level.

Agenda:

Session presented and moderated by Víctor Meseguer Sánchez, International Consultant at UNCTAD.

• Chantal Line Carpentier, Head, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development at UNCTAD, Co-Chair of the United Nations Inter-Agency Taskforce on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE)
• Ertharin Cousin, CEO and Founder of Food Systems for the Future
• Rishabh Kumar Dhir, Sustainable Enterprises and Just Transition at International Labour Organization
• Kate Hughes, Principal Climate Change Specialist at the Asian Development Bank
• Nurana Mammadova, Expert at Education HUB, Azeri social enterprise