The ISSA Secretary General, Mr. Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, outlined the Association's plans during an international conference hosted by the Department of Social Development of the Republic of South Africa. The Secretary General said that the ISSA is giving high priority to assisting its member organizations in Africa to improve their technical and administrative capacities and to develop the sharing of good practices in social security. The ISSA has 79 member organizations in 43 countries in Africa.
The Secretary General confirmed that the ISSA will organize the World Social Security Forum, to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, 21-27 November 2010. The Forum will involve policymakers and practitioners from governments, civil society organizations and social security administrations from throughout the world.
As part of the ISSA's efforts to promote regional networks of social security institutions, the Secretary General also confirmed an agreement with the South African authorities to establish a new ISSA Liaison Office in the country. The office will implement a programme of activities targeted at the specific needs of all fourteen member organizations in the Southern African region.
The South African Minister for Social Development, Dr. Zola Skweyiya, stated that his government will give high priority to regional collaboration to strengthen social security. Referring to the agreements to host the Liaison Office and the World Social Security Forum, the Minister stated “we are humbled by the double honour bestowed on us and look forward to providing the leadership.”