Universal Social Protection Systems

Jeffrey D. Sachs stands as one of the world's most influential economists and sustainable development experts, currently serving as University Professor at Columbia University and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development. His academic journey began at Harvard University, where he earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees, and later served as the Galen L. Stone Professor of International Trade for over twenty years. Throughout his career, Sachs has shaped global policy as Special Advisor to three UN Secretaries-General, advising on both the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. His expertise spans economic development, global macroeconomics, and poverty alleviation, having worked in more than 125 countries. As Director of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and President of SDG USA, he continues to drive sustainable development initiatives worldwide. His influential works include bestsellers such as "The End of Poverty," "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet," and "The Age of Sustainable Development." His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the 2015 Blue Planet Prize and the 2022 Tang Prize in Sustainable Development, while Time Magazine has twice named him among the world's 100 most influential leaders. Beyond his academic work, he serves as a Commissioner of the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Development and maintains active engagement with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences on sustainable development issues.

Gilbert F. Houngbo serves as the 11th Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), making history as the first African to hold this position since October 2022. Born in rural Togo in 1961, he has dedicated over 35 years to improving the lives of vulnerable populations worldwide through his expertise in political affairs, international development, diplomacy, and financial management. His academic foundation includes an advanced business management degree from the University of Lomé and accounting credentials from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. His career trajectory spans significant roles in both private and public sectors, beginning at Price Waterhouse Canada (1986-1993) and progressing through positions as Director of Finance at the International Bank of Mali (1994-1996). At UNDP, he served in multiple high-level positions including Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary-General. His public service reached a pinnacle as Prime Minister of Togo (2008-2012), where he implemented crucial economic reforms. Before assuming his current role, he served as Deputy Director-General at ILO and President of IFAD, where he was re-elected in 2021. Under his ILO leadership, he champions enhanced international cooperation, focusing on universal social protection, decent work, and the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which has gathered over 300 partners including 85 governments and 40 international organizations.

Shahra Razavi currently serves as Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organization (ILO), where she brings over 25 years of expertise in social policy, gender, and development. Her academic foundation includes degrees from prestigious institutions - a BSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science, followed by an MSc and PhD from Oxford University. Her career spans significant roles in major UN organizations, including Chief of Research and Data at UN Women, where she directed flagship reports and managed gender statistics programs, and Senior Researcher at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), where she led cross-country research on social policy and labor markets. As an Iranian-born academic and senior UN official, she has made substantial contributions to understanding gender dimensions in social development, particularly focusing on unpaid labor and women's economic challenges. Her extensive publication record includes influential works on social policy, gender justice, and care economics, while serving on editorial boards of prestigious journals including Feminist Economics and Global Social Policy. In her current role at ILO, she champions universal social protection, leading initiatives to extend coverage to vulnerable populations including migrant workers and advocating for comprehensive social security systems that address gender disparities and economic inequalities.

Catalina Devandas Aguilar currently serves as Senior Director for the Office of Partnerships, Advocacy and Communications at the International Organization for Migration, while also serving on the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees. Her remarkable career spans over two decades of disability rights advocacy, shaped by her personal experience with spina bifida. After earning her law degree from the University of Costa Rica and pursuing master's studies at both University Carlos III in Madrid and the University of Costa Rica, she has held numerous influential positions in international development. Her groundbreaking work includes serving as the first UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from 2014 to 2020, where she championed socioeconomic inclusion and the promotion of full citizenship for persons with disabilities. Her extensive experience includes roles at the World Bank, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Disability Rights Fund, and the International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights in London. As Costa Rica's Ambassador to the United Nations and through her various leadership positions, she continues to advance disability rights and inclusive development globally, focusing on understanding disability as part of human diversity and promoting comprehensive human rights approaches.

Céline Peyron Bista serves as Chief Technical Advisor for an EU-funded Programme at the International Labour Organization, where she focuses on strengthening linkages between social protection and public finance management. Her extensive 25-year career in social security and protection began with the ILO in 2001, including significant work with the Asian Development Bank and various NGOs. After completing her graduate studies in Economic Development and earning a master's degree in Social Policy for Developing Countries from the University Paris I - Sorbonne, she has developed particular expertise in extending social protection to all forms of employment and unemployment protection. Her international experience spans three continents - Latin America, Asia, and Africa - where she has contributed to developing comprehensive social protection systems. As a Senior Social Protection and Employment Policies Specialist, she has played a crucial role in shaping policies that promote universal social protection coverage, particularly focusing on improving linkages between social protection systems and public finance management to ensure sustainable and inclusive social security frameworks.