Latin America and the Caribbean looking ahead to the Second World Summit for Social Development: proposals for inclusive social development

The overarching objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development —ending poverty and hunger and reducing inequality— are long-held priorities of the region and particularly salient in the work of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region’s countries have cooperated to achieve these objectives since the establishment of the Regional Conference as a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in 2014. The Regional Agenda for Inclusive Social Development, adopted by the Regional Conference in 2019 at its third session, clearly reflects this commitment. The Regional Agenda’s four axes, which include proposed lines of action for coordinated policies to leave no one behind, are: (i) universal and comprehensive social protection systems; (ii) policies to promote social and labour inclusion; (iii) a strengthened social institutional framework; and (iv) regional cooperation and integration. The Second World Summit for Social Development presents a singular opportunity to reflect on these axes, strengthen policy implementation and develop complementary instruments to tackle structural and emerging challenges in the coming decades, against a backdrop of profound transformations. This document presents key milestones in the recent history of social development and the main challenges and specific proposals submitted by the ministries of social development and equivalent entities of the region, in the framework of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, for consideration during the work and discussions of the Second World Summit for Social Development. The aim of these inputs is to advance inclusive social development worldwide, with a view to transforming the development model and building a more productive, inclusive and sustainable future.