Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions: Investing in food and agriculture to achieve the SDGs

Rome - With the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) approaching, significant strides have been made, yet considerable work remains to be done. Multilateral cooperation stands as the linchpin for accelerating progress towards these ambitious targets.

The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection of Just Transitions, launched by the UN Secretary-General in 2021, emphasizes the importance of transforming agrifood systems through investments in universal social protection. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has joined this initiative as part of the Coordination Team of the Global Accelerator Technical Support Facility.

This partnership comes at a pivotal moment, as preparations are underway for the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

The imperative of social protection

Progress in promoting sustainable rural livelihoods is being undermined due to persisting poverty, growing inequalities, and the escalating impacts of climate change.

Currently, more than half of the world´s population, approximately 4 billion people, continues to be excluded from social protection systems, with women disproportionately affected. In low-income countries, 80% of the poorest rural households have no access to social protection.

People in rural areas often face precarious working conditions, including poor remuneration and high levels of informality. Social protection can foster decent employment for rural workers and their families.

Strengthening the connections between social protection and employment agricultural policies will help enhance the transformative ambition of the 2030 Agenda.

Social protection, which is a human right and a commitment in the SDGs, is more crucial than ever to leave no one behind.

“Extending social protection to those who are uncovered is essential for improving the lives and livelihoods of people around the world,” says Marco Knowles, FAO Social Protection Team Leader.  “Adequate social protection systems are essential for enabling over half of the world’s population to escape economic insecurity and contribute productively to development,” he adds.

Countries joining the Global Accelerator

The newly released first Global Accelerator Progress Report highlights the advancements made by countries from January 2023 to April 2024, along with the strong engagement of development partners and international financial institutions.

Since its launch in 2021, 16 Member States have officially joined the initiative as pathfinder countries. Some have developed or are finalizing national roadmaps for implementation, while others are starting this process. Additional countries are welcome to join the Global Accelerator to contribute to the collective efforts towards achieving the SDGs globally. Notably, Malawi, Namibia and Senegal have identified agriculture as priority entry points.

Countries that become part of the Global Accelerator commit to securing the highest-level political support, establishing dedicated inter-ministerial national governance structures, formulating integrated policies on social protection and employment, and available increasing domestic resources.

“This initiative offers countries access to specialized UN expertise, new funding opportunities, and participation in high-level global dialogues,” points out Gala Dahlet, Social Protection Officer at the FAO Regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Linking agrifood systems with social protection and decent jobs for just transitions

Achieving the SDGs begins with establishing resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food and agriculture systems. Extending social protection to the most vulnerable and rural populations, and creating decent and green jobs, is paramount on this path. FAO is called to play a crucial rule in driving these efforts forward through the Global Accelerator.

“We stand ready to support countries by leveraging our unique understanding of rural and food systems transformations,” says Omar Benammour, Social Protection Officer.

About the Global Accelerator

The Global Accelerator facilitates policy design and implementation, and investment in social protection and employment policies through multilateral cooperation at global, regional and country levels.

It integrates social protection with employment, agricultural and environmental policies, bridging the gap between policy initiatives and financial support.

The Global Accelerator collaborates with governments to tailor technical assistance to the specific needs of each country, coordinating political, technical and financial resources for advancing national policy priorities.

It serves as a strategic platform for public development banks, enhancing their contributions to agrifood systems transformation through social protection and employment policies. It also encourages engagement from the private sector and civil society organizations, and advocates for the use of climate funds for social spending.

The Global Accelerator offers governments an important opportunity to promote synergies between social protection and agrifood systems transformation. This mission is complemented with other global initiatives, such as the Food System Windows of the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Schield against Climate Risks, aimed at protecting people in vulnerable situations and supporting the extension of social protection, bringing the SDGs back on track towards 2030.