Join us at the official virtual side event “Transforming sustainable growth through the lens of people-centred investment with Universal Social Protection” that will take place at the 2026 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
The virtual side event will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 9 am to 10:30 am EDT (New York time). Check your local time here.
English and Spanish interpretation will be available.
Panel: Why Universal Social Protection is important and why the public sector matters
Speakers
Panel: Key actions to be taken
Speakers
Moderator: Roberto Bissio, Coordinator, End Austerity Campaign (EAC).
This official side event is jointly organised by Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), Make Mothers Matter (MMM), End Austerity Campaign (EAC), Global Social Justice, USP2030.
Background
Universal social protection is foundational for the realization of ‘Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all’ – the 2026 theme of the HLPF. It is the most basic and effective investment in our economies and societies for a sustainable future. The critical role of universal social protection in tackling poverty was recognized in the Doha Declaration and acknowledged by the United Nations for the implementation of the Third Decade for the Eradication of Poverty 2017-2026. It is also a key component of the new Roadmap for Eradicating poverty beyond growth of the SR on poverty. Yet currently more than half of the global population has no access to any form of social protection. This is unacceptable.
It is timely to look beyond 2030 to devise and agree new social and economic policies, programmes and metrics to foster stronger societies. Universal social protection programmes are central to this effort. Research shows that economic strategies accompanied by redistribution policies with universal social protection at their core are the most promising path to recovery and poverty alleviation for all in all countries.
The side event will bring together experts to discuss progress and constraints of delivering universal social protection with innovators on Beyond GDP metrics. It will present key evidence on alternatives to austerity as the standard policy prescription after times of economic crisis and outline how an economic system that is care-centered and based on human rights and intergenerational equity and deliver the SDGs and the Doha commitments for people and planet.
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development will be convened from 7-15 July 2026. The theme of the HLPF will be “Transformative, equitable, innovative and coordinated actions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for a sustainable future for all”.
The 2026 HLPF will conduct in-depth reviews of: SDG 6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; SDG 7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; SDG 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; SDG 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; and SDG 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. Thirty-six countries will present their VNRs at the 2026 HLPF.
