In the week that the International Social Security Association (ISSA) celebrates its 95th anniversary (4 October), we can reflect on its growth from 17 members in nine countries in 1927 to 320 members in 160 countries today. This expansion has been a result of over nine decades promoting and supporting social security globally.
As social security has expanded internationally, the ISSA has managed to grow its relevance to members and help them deliver excellence in social security administration. The ISSA continues to focus on its core areas of promoting social security, knowledge and networking.
The past three years have demonstrated its agility by developing online events, knowledge creation and sharing, as well as networking opportunities throughout the pandemic. This has led to a significant increase in the number of members engaged with the ISSA and its activities, as can be read in the latest annual review.
The culmination of the three years of work will be the World Social Security Forum, to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, 24–28 October. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments and innovations in social security administration, and to reflect on the role of social security in building resilient and inclusive societies.
To learn more about the origins and developments of the ISSA, read about our history or watch this video about the Association’s origins from, and partnership with, the International Labour Organization (ILO).