An important milestone in the development of the social security cooperation between the BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa), was the adoption of the BRICS’ Ministerial Commitment to Sustainable and Universal Social Protection, during the Global Social Protection Week, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The BRICS cooperation is supported by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the ILO.

The joint Commitment was announced by His Excellency Mr Leonardo Rolim, the Brazilian Social Security Secretary, on behalf of the BRICS countries at the High-Level Conference on Achieving SDG 1.3 and universal social protection in the context of the Future of Work, which was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 25-26 November 2019.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the BRICS social security authorities, the ILO leadership and the BRICS Virtual Liaison Officers for their important contribution to this historic event, also marking the Centenary of the ILO”, says Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, Secretary General of the ISSA.

This important document supports the development of social security for the BRICS countries which represent more than 40 percent of the world's population  The main topics covered were also highlighted in the Declarations of the Ministers of Labour and Employment of the BRICS Countries from 2015 to 2019.

Key points of the Commitment are:

1. To take due action to further promote social insurance and formal employment which are fundamental for ensuring universal, adequate and sustainable social protection;
2. To promote and implement both contributory and non-contributory social security programmes for the purpose of achieving sustainable social security coverage for all;
3. To take due action to enhance the cross-border portability of social security benefits through the conclusion of social security agreements among BRICS countries;
4. To take due action to further build comprehensive social security systems as guided by ILO social security standards, including Convention No. 102 and Recommendation No. 202, as well as the ISSA guidelines for social security administration.

The ISSA and the ILO jointly host a Virtual Liaison Office to coordinate the Social Security Cooperation Framework of the BRICS countries.