Press conference with ISSA President Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo (on right), Secretary General Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Rwandan Finance Minister James Musoni (on left), and Director General of the Social Security Fund of Rwanda, Henry Gaperi

Concluding the event, which took place in Kigali, Rwanda, participants in a high-level Social Security Summit affirmed the central role of social security in ensuring sustainable and equitable development in the region, but said that greater political will is required if social security coverage is to benefit a wider population.    

"Strong messages came out of this debate," said the Secretary General of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, organizer of the Forum in collaboration with the Social Security Fund of Rwanda    

"Firstly, that social security should be at the top of the political agenda across Africa because of its documented ability to ensure socially inclusive and economically productive development. Secondly, that stronger links between social security organizations and other national and international actors involved in Africa's development, including financial institutions and donors, are critical if we are to achieve progress. And thirdly, that innovative approaches based on African culture and traditions, as demonstrated during the ISSA Good Practice Award competition, can play a crucial role in extending social security," he said.

Social security senior managers present at the event agreed that they had a special responsibility to provide political decision-makers with the necessary expertise for the development of national social security programmes, and the administrative basis for their successful implementation.    

"Opportune moment" for social security

In opening remarks at the Forum, Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza stated that it was an "opportune moment" for social security in Africa, and he called on African leaders to find African solutions to overcome obstacles to the extension of coverage.    

"Social security has a key role in the development of Africa. Different social security systems have got varying effects on growth, people’s living standards and poverty alleviation," Mr. Makuza said. "If social security policies are well designed, especially by focusing on country realities and priorities, the economic transformation envisaged in most developing countries can be accelerated."    

The 300 participants in the Regional Social Security Forum for Africa discussed new analysis of the development of social security systems in the continent, and heard how social security was a contributing factor to economic development. A new ISSA report launched at the Forum, Dynamic Social Security for Africa: An Agenda for Development , points to examples of significant progress in the extension of social security coverage, but recognizes that major gaps in coverage persist in Africa.    

Speakers at the Forum gave examples of how the introduction of universal pension schemes has encouraged a more active role for the elderly in society; how strengthened social health protection has directly improved conditions for some of the region's poorest populations; and how good governance of institutions is a condition for building public trust and sustainability of schemes.

Firm engagement

Addressing the Forum, James Musoni, the Minister of Finance of Rwanda, reminded the participants of the importance of undertaking reforms to improve the governance and delivery of social security.    

"Reforming social security as a key issue for African development is not an easy exercise; it needs meticulous studies, involvement of all stakeholders and strong commitment. We are well aware of the difficulties which lie ahead, but we are firmly engaged in pursuing those tasks, because we believe that benefits will outweigh costs," Mr. Musoni said.    

ISSA Good Practice Award for Africa

During the meeting, institutions in Kenya and Morocco were given the first ISSA Good Practice Award for efforts to improve social security programmes in their countries. Sixteen other initiatives from the African region received certificates of merit (see photo below).

Over the next two years, the ISSA will organize regional social security forums for the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe, in preparation for the World Social Security Forum which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa in 2010.  

Additional information on the Regional Social Security Forum for Africa, and a summary of the Good Practice Award competition results, are available on the ISSA Website: www.issa.int/rssf08