News

Realizing the right to social security: launch of a joint OHCHR/ILO publication

13 February 2025

On 10 February 2025, the Governments of Portugal and Nepal, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted a side event at the 63rd Session of the ECOSOC Commission for Social Development in New York. The event marked the launch of a joint OHCHR/ILO publication on the right to social security.

The publication, which is part of the OHCHR’s Fact Sheet series, provides key guidance on the right to social security, elucidating its normative content and key elements, as set out in international human rights instruments and international social security standards. The comprehensive Fact Sheet clarifies the obligations of States and other actors and serves as a practical tool for policymakers and practitioners, offering user-friendly guidance on building and maintaining sustainable and equitable social protection systems.

The launch event featured insights from distinguished speakers representing governments, employers, and workers, focusing in particular on the sustainable and equitable financing of social protection. Among them were H.E. Mr. Krzysztof Maria Szczerski, Chairperson of the 63rd Session of the UN Commission for Social Development, Ms. Clara Marques Mendes, Secretary of State for Social Action and for Inclusion, Portugal, and Mr. Kaushal Kishor Ray, Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN. The critical role of social protection in promoting income security, decent work, and combating poverty and inequalities was also underscored by representatives from other UN agencies, social partners, and civil society. These included Ms. Magdalena Sepúlveda, Director of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Mr. Thomas Taylor di Pietro, Equality Policy Advisor, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Ms. Ewa Staworzynska, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs, United States Council for International Business, Ms. Maryann Broxton, Main Representative to the UN, International Movement ATD Fourth World and Ms. Sylvia Beales, Global Coalition on Social Protection Floors.

It is my great pleasure to be here to officially launch this wonderful joint OHCHR/ILO publication on the right to Social Security, a topic that has been a priority for both of our organizations for many years.

-Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and Head of the OHCHR in New York

The fact sheet provides essential guidance to countries in how to build their social protection systems by setting out some very important key principles that are relevant for the design, the financing, and the governance of systems. 

- Ms. Shahra Razavi, Director of the Universal Social Protection Department, ILO

As the world works towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the launch of this joint publication represents a significant step towards ensuring that everyone has access to comprehensive and adequate social protection, which enables the realization of many other human rights, guaranteeing human dignity when people are faced with risks which affect them along their life course. 

For more information on the publication, please visit its dedicated section on the OHCHR and ILO websites.

Watch the event recording here.

Related content:

►    Toolkit on ILO Social Security Standards
►    International Labour Standards