At the upcoming COP28, a panel discussion titled “Trade House event: The Contribution of Social and Solidarity Economy to the SDGs: The Role of Trade Policy” is set to explore the integral role of the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) in sustainable development. The session will focus on how trade policy can bolster SSE entities, which include a diverse range of organizations like cooperatives, associations, mutual societies, foundations, and social enterprises, enabling them to make a more significant contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SSE enterprises, known for operating across various economic sectors and integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions, have the potential to impact all 17 SDGs, as highlighted by the UN inter-agency Task Force on SSE in their position paper. The extent of their contribution to the SDGs depends on multiple factors, including their characteristics, the socio-economic and environmental contexts they operate in, and crucially, the support from national policies that promote SSE as a sustainable economic and social development model.
Recognizing the potential of SSE in achieving the SDGs, an increasing number of governments are viewing SSE as a viable strategy. In April 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution urging member states to foster national policies that support SSE. The resolution also calls for relevant UN entities to incorporate SSE into their programming. In this context, UNCTAD is investigating the role of trade and trade policies in supporting SSE entities through various means, such as providing fiscal incentives, facilitating access to public and multilateral development bank funding, and incorporating SSE in public procurement systems. The event at COP28, organized by UNCTAD, aims to convene SSE stakeholders, researchers, and relevant UN development system entities. The objective is to initiate a dialogue on maximizing the role of trade policy in empowering SSEs to contribute effectively to the sustainable development agenda.
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