Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection USP2030 Many developing countries are rapidly expanding social protection coverage … Several have put in place universal or near universal schemes Check 23 country cases here: universal.social-protection.org …and many development partners working together to promote Universal Social Protection Systems New York, September 2016 High level launch and inauguration of the joint programme of action to increase the number of countries adopting Universal Social Protection. See: universal.social-protection.org

Importance In 2000 – MDGs universal education In 2009 – Universal health coverage In 2016 – Universal social protection Importance of having World Bank leadership fully supporting universalism, instead narrow focus on targeted safety nets. WB says they cannot support ILO Conventions and Recommendations – but WB leadership supports the principles Use it in your country! See all materials here: http://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/NewYork.action?id=34 Concept note, nearly 30 country cases, etc

Importance (II) Having the support of the World Bank leadership very important… and also the support of donors and UN agencies as some of their staff not so aware about universalism

Showing that many developing countries have universal social protection schemes was fundamental – also the positive developmental impacts (next slide) Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan Belarus Bolivia Botswana Brazil Brunei Cabo Verde Chile China Cook Islands Georgia Guyana India Kazakhstan Kiribati Kosovo Kyrgyz Republic Lesotho Maldives Mauritius Mongolia Namibia Nepal Samoa Seychelles South Africa Swaziland Tanzania (Zanzibar) Thailand Timor-Leste Trinidad Tobago Ukraine Uruguay Uzbekistan Example: China Expansion of old-age pension coverage over 2001-2013 Source: universal.social-protection.org

Investment in social protection Inclusive growth and human development Investment in social protection Reduces poverty and inequality Lessens social tensions and conflict Builds political stability Increases consumption and aggregate demand Supports crisis response and structural change Promotes economic growth Better access to food and better nutritional status Higher income security for households Improved health Higher utilization of health services Increases human development and productivity Higher school attendance and reduction in child labour Better educational performance Link: http://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourceDownload.action?ressource.ressourceId=43580 Figure 6.23 (Print) Facilitates search for jobs and riskier decision-making Promotes productive employment and entrepreneurship

Many paths to Universal Social Protection Governments have a wide set of options to achieve universal social protection. South-South learning shows: Some countries opted for immediate universal coverage – eg. Botswana, Timor Leste. Others gradual and progressive approach – eg. Brazil, Thailand. Some have universalism embedded in their national constitutions - eg. Bolivia, South Africa. Others have achieved universalism without any similar constitutional provisions eg. Swaziland, Uruguay. Universal social protection is most commonly started with old-age pensions, but some countries have opted to universalize in parallel disability, maternity and/or child benefits. Eg. Argentina, Nepal. Some provide a publicly-financed social pension/benefit to all – eg. Mongolia, Namibia. Others provide a minimum pension to those who do not have a contributory pension, ensuring universality - eg. Azerbaijan, China. Strategic use of transfers to the poor and vulnerable who are not reached out by other social protection schemes-Brazil, Chile, Georgia.

What’s Next? At the launch, it was agreed to FORMALIZE THE PARTNERSHIP Objective, as agreed in the Concept Note, is “to increase the number of countries that can provide universal social protection, supporting countries to design and implement universal and sustainable social protection systems.” Governance structure will have to be formalized, led by the WBG and ILO, the partnership is open to interested SPIAC-B members and others; An Action Plan being discussed