UN task force launches preparations for Secretary-General’s report on social and solidarity economy
At its 55th regular meeting, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy opened work on the next Secretary-General’s report, heard from Member State representatives on plans for a proposed Group of Friends, and reviewed progress on statistics.
Geneva – On 4 March 2026, the 55th regular meeting of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy (UNTFSSE) opened work on the next United Nations Secretary-General’s report on implementation of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly resolution on the social and solidarity economy. The meeting also discussed two proposed priorities for the Task Force’s strategic action plan for 2026–27: coordination on the social and solidarity economy and work on statistics. The report is the Task Force’s main product for the year and is intended to inform the next General Assembly discussion on the issue.
To support the preparation of the report, inputs are invited from Member States, United Nations entities, multilateral, international and regional financial institutions and development banks, and other relevant stakeholders on implementation of resolution 79/213, including measures adopted, revised or implemented, available results, evidence on contributions and impact, challenges encountered, good practices and lessons learned, and, where relevant, actionable recommendations. Members and observers were asked to help circulate the call (English, French and Spanish) and encourage submissions.
The meeting also heard from Member State representatives on plans for a proposed Group of Friends on the social and solidarity economy. The proposed Group of Friends would facilitate intergovernmental cooperation to further the role of the social and solidarity economy in promoting sustainable development and social justice, consistent with relevant resolutions and decisions of United Nations bodies. To facilitate coherence and avoid duplication, the Group of Friends could invite briefings from, and exchange information with, the Task Force and, as appropriate, relevant United Nations system entities.
On statistics, the Task Force received an update from its technical working group on progress in moving from the institutional definition of the social and solidarity economy adopted at the 2022 International Labour Conference to a statistical definition, including its conceptual framework and operational criteria. Work is also under preparation on measuring informal SSE entities. These efforts would contribute to the development of draft Guidelines on statistics of the SSE, together with a room document, for discussion at the International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028.
The meeting also welcomed the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies (AIM) as a new observer.