The ISSA stresses the role of social protection on World Day of Social Justice

On the World Day of Social Justice, the International Social Security Association (ISSA) reaffirms its strong support for the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Global Coalition for Social Justice, highlighting that there can be no social justice without social security.

Through the Global Coalition and on this World Day for Social Justice, the ILO stresses that social justice must be a shared responsibility, urging stakeholders to go from commitment to collective action. This is echoed by the United Nations' call for a renewed commitment to social development and social justice.

Social protection as a foundation of social justice

Social protection is one of the thematic priorities of the Global Coalition. Yet, despite important progress, it still remains out of reach for almost half of the world's population. The ISSA promotes policies and practices that strengthen the delivery, coverage and sustainability of social protection systems.

"There is no social justice without social security, and well-governed, trusted and innovative institutions are essential to extend coverage, ensure adequacy and build resilience", says Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, ISSA Secretary General.

➔ Video message by Secretary General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano

ISSA priorities for 2026-2028: Contributing to collective action

The ISSA's strategic priorities for the 2026-2028 triennium are closely aligned with the global social justice agenda. They focus on four interrelated areas:

• Management and innovation for more effective social security

  Strengthening governance, leadership and institutional resilience, and optimizing the complementary roles of human resources and digital technologies to ensure people-centred social security benefits and services.

• Social security coverage for a changing labour market

  Extending contributory coverage to the self-employed, migrant and informal workers and other hard-to-cover groups, while maintaining protection in a digital and evolving labour market, including platform work.

• Social security for changing life-courses and ageing societies

  Promoting a life-course approach that addresses ageing, evolving work patterns and gender inequalities, while supporting active ageing and proactive services around key life events.

• Social security financing and sustainability

  Analyzing financing trends and strengthening institutional practices to ensure sustainability, including formalization, flexible contributions, actuarial capacity, sound investment and fraud prevention.

By advancing these priorities, the ISSA and its global membership strive for better reach and effectiveness of social security, essential for social justice.

Call to action on social protection

On this World Day of Social Justice 2026, the ISSA calls on all stakeholders to reinforce their commitment to strong, inclusive and sustainable social protection systems. Collective action is essential to ensure that social justice becomes not only a shared aspiration, but a shared reality.