Author VV.AA.

Year of publication 2019

Social protection has gained relevance and garnered increasing interest over recent decades. Developing countries are progressively adopting more programmes and policies to protect their poor and vulnerable populations, while international organisations and donors work to enhance the capacity of States to develop efficient and sustainable systems. Social protection schemes also play a key role in stabilising economies, protecting livings standards and providing social security for all. However, challenges remain despite recent advances, particularly regarding the creation of inclusive, cost-effective and sustainable social protection systems and their linkages with inclusive growth. In this context, the achievement of universal social protection is closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1’s (“End poverty in all its forms everywhere”) target 1.3: “Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.” This special edition of Policy in Focus has been developed by the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) in partnership with the socialprotection.org platform, presenting several articles related to universal social protection and foster new debates.