The second vice president of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, has signed in New York, together with the Minister of Interior and Security of the Republic of South Korea, Yun Hojung, an agreement aimed at intensifying bilateral collaboration in the field of social and solidarity economy.
According to the Ministry, the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) constitutes "an important step" to ensure continuity, content, and stable institutional channels in the relationship between both countries in this matter.
The text, the department details in a note, expresses the willingness to share the Spanish experience and to study technical assistance and exchanges that accompany the implementation of new regulatory frameworks and public policies, as well as financing instruments, responsible public procurement, statistical systems, and support mechanisms for entities of the social and solidarity economy.
Furthermore, the agreement consolidates support for an economic field considered "strategic" for the Ministry led by Yolanda Díaz and establishes a framework of cooperation between Spain and South Korea with the aim of promoting "a social and solidarity economy ecosystem based on mutual cooperation and solidarity" and jointly contributing to social cohesion and improving the quality of life in both countries.
The signing is part of the first bilateral meeting between Spain and South Korea specifically focused on the social and solidarity economy and comes a few weeks after the Korean National Assembly approved the Framework Law on Social and Solidarity Economy, the first comprehensive regulation of this type in the Asia-Pacific region.
During the meeting, Díaz expressed her interest in knowing the first implementation measures of the new Korean Framework Law and in promoting "a continuous exchange of experiences" that allows for the detection of spaces for reciprocal learning.
"We do not share the cut plan in the ILO"
At the event "Promoting the Social and Solidarity Economy," also held this Friday in New York, Yolanda Díaz has claimed the model of the Social and Solidarity Economy (ESS) and its "key role" in the current multilateral system, emphasizing the importance of continuing to promote this approach on the international stage.
"If there is something we cannot cut back on now, it is precisely in ESS. We need to reduce informality, democratize the economy, and distribute wealth and incorporate women on equal terms. And all this, together with young people, all of that means the Social and Solidarity Economy," he emphasized.
In this line, he expressed his rejection of the adjustment plan in the International Labour Organization (ILO) to address the financial and liquidity crisis it is facing: "We do not agree with the cuts being made in the ILO in international cooperation, which has already been reduced by 50%, as well as the practical reduction of the Social Economy department in the structure of the organization."
In the same quote, the recent report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the implementation of Resolution 79/213 was presented and debated, in which the potential of ESS as an alternative economic model to advance sustainable development is analyzed, both in the present and in the future.