During the week of 21–26 September 2026, as part of the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week NYC, RIPESS Intercontinental will take part in a series of strategic meetings that connect the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) with human rights, climate justice, economic democracy, and the implementation of UN resolutions on the SSE.
In a global context marked by deepening inequalities, ecological disruption and pressures on communities and ecosystems, these engagements highlight how the SSE contributes to just climate action, community resilience and transformative economic alternatives.
The events — organised in collaboration with academic institutions, SSE networks and government stakeholders — will raise the profile of movement practices and demands, strengthen alliances and contribute to multilateral debates on the implementation of UNGA Resolutions 77/281 and 79/213, as well as discussions on a possible third General Assembly resolution.
Agenda
1. International Human Rights: Peasants’ Rights and the SSE
- Tuesday, 22 September · 17:30–20:15
- Venue: Roosevelt House, Hunter College (47–49 E. 65th St.)
- Organised by: City University of New York – Hunter College, Department of Anthropology
- RIPESS contribution: SSE and UNDROP — Sandra Moreno Cadena
The session, led by Professor Marc Edelman, focuses on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP) and the broader human rights debates addressed throughout the course.
RIPESS will contribute a dedicated segment on the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) and its intersections with UNDROP, highlighting how collective economic practices and democratic governance can strengthen the rights, autonomy and resilience of rural and urban communities.
2. Connections: advancing the global social solidarity economy agenda in New York
- Thursday, 24 September · 09:00–11:30
- Venue: CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies- National Association Building, 25 W 43rd St, 19th floor
- Organised by: CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies · USSEN · RIPESS
The event will bring together international SSE networks, New York and US cooperatives, community organisers, and movements working on housing and land, food sovereignty, care, migrant justice, racial justice, climate justice, informal work, waste-pickers’ rights, circular and digital cooperative economies, and democratic governance.
The session will also feature a dialogue with representatives of the Government of Spain and UN DESA, as well as speakers affiliated with USSEN, WIEGO, the Global Platform for the Right to the City (GPR2C), and URGENCI, creating a space for exchange between movement perspectives and institutional actors involved in the implementation of UN General Assembly resolutions 77/281 and 79/213 on the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE).
3. Accelerating Climate Solutions through the Global Climate Action Agenda – Delivery Roundtable on the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE) COP31 Flagship Priority.
- Friday, 25 September · 09:00–11:00
- Venue: BCG New York City Office, 10 Hudson Yards
- Organised by: Global Climate Action Agenda
- Topic: Accelerating Climate Solutions through the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE)
This roundtable aims to advance the delivery of the outcomes supporting the COP31 priority under Axis 6, the Climate Implementation Bridge (BRIDGE), building on the Plans to Accelerate Solutions set out in the Global Climate Action Agenda.
4. Advancing the Social and Solidarity Economy – UN Secretary-General’s Report & Ministerial Dialogue of the Friends of the SSE Group
- Friday, 25 September · 12:00–14:15
- Venue: Instituto Cervantes, New York (211 East 49th St.)
- Organised by: Ministry of Labour and Social Economy (Spain) · UNTFSSE
Presentation of the Secretary-General’s Report on the implementation of Resolution 79/213 and a ministerial dialogue of the Friends of the SSE Group with representatives from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe
RIPESS Contribution to the 2026 UN Secretary‑General’s Report on Resolution 79/213
RIPESS Intercontinental has submitted its official contribution to the 2026 Report of the UN Secretary‑General on the implementation of Resolution 79/213. The document highlights key developments since July 2024 in public policy, international cooperation, training, advocacy and multilateral engagement.
Key achievements include:
- Historic recognition of SSE in the Sevilla Commitment (FfD4, 2025) — first inclusion of SSE in a global Financing for Development outcome.
- The Colombia–RIPESS international cooperation agreement (2026) — the most advanced model of structured collaboration between a Member State and an international SSE network.
- Over 1,000 certified participants in the RIPESS LAC SSE Diploma (2024–2025), with participation from ECLAC and regional universities.
- Launch of the ASEAN SDG–SSE Community Roadmap (2026–2030), positioning SSE as a vehicle for SDG localisation in Southeast Asia.
- Active engagement in multilateral spaces: FAO, COP16, UNCTAD, ILO, WFLED, GSEF 2025 and the TAFF process for a just transition.
- Joint RIPESS–FMDV proposal to integrate SSE and solidarity finance as last‑mile delivery infrastructure for the global energy transition.
The document also identifies persistent challenges: uneven political will, financing gaps, lack of official data and the need for structural reforms in the global financial architecture.
RIPESS reaffirms its commitment to working with Member States, UN entities, financial institutions and community actors to place SSE at the heart of sustainable development, just transition, human rights and inclusive financing strategies.
Download the summary of the document.
A week to strengthen alliances and advance the global SSE
RIPESS’s presence at these events reaffirms our commitment to:
- Human rights and collective rights
- Democratic economies driven by social movements
- Climate and social justice
- Meaningful civil society participation at the UN
- Coordination between international networks and community organisations in New York and the United States
