Montreal will host this week the fourth seminar of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Social and Solidarity Economy.

The UNTFSSE aims to increase the visibility of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) within the UN system and beyond.

Members of this group seek to enhance the recognition of the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in sustainable development; promote knowledge of the social and solidarity economy and unify social and solidarity economy networks; support the establishment of an enabling institutional and regulatory environment for small and medium-sized enterprises; ensure coordination of international efforts, and create and strengthen partnerships.

In this international meeting, the UNTFSSE must design an action plan that takes into account Quebec's experience in the field of social economy. The Mayor’s office recognized the strength of Quebec.

This is also the first meeting of the UNTFSSE after the adoption of its resolution to promote the social and solidarity economy for sustainable development, which was adopted at the United Nations on April 18, 2023.

This resolution aims to recognize the social and solidarity economy as a key contributor to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging member states to "promote and implement national, local, and regional strategies, policies, and programs to support and enhance the social and solidarity economy" as a potential model for sustainable economic and social development.

This is an important paradigm shift to help humanity move towards genuine sustainable development, as highlighted by the City of Montreal in a document.

Moreover, more than 70 experts from 16 UN agencies, ministers from the countries that signed the resolution, and stakeholders in the social economy will gather at this fourth seminar to be held in Montreal.

This is a true recognition of the strength of our social economy ecosystem. "In Montreal, we have amazing representatives!" stated Luc Rabouin, Mayor of the Plateau Mont-Royal.