November 20, 2025
Cambodia leads the way: Bringing social protection into the core of climate action
Inclusive social protection systems that can anticipate risks, adapt to change, and respond swiftly in times of crisis are among the most effective investments in climate resilience. As the first country to comprehensively integrate social protection into its national climate commitments, Cambodia is charting a path toward climate action that puts people at the forefront
Universal Social Protection
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Universal Social Protection is key for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its health, economic and social consequences have drawn unprecedented attention to the need for universal social protection. Over half of the world’s population still have little or no access to social protection, dramatically increasing individuals’ and families’ vulnerabilities. Universal social protection (USP) is a human right and key to recovery, for a green transition and for sustainable and inclusive economic and social development for individuals, communities and nations.
All countries have committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 1.3 with its bold premise that ensuring social protection for all the world’s citizens by 2030 is feasible. In 2016, the World Bank and the International Labour Organization, jointly initiated the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection (USP2030), to transform the SDG Agenda’s vision of universal social protection into reality. USP2030 has grown into a worldwide alliance which brings together national governments, international and regional organisations, social partners and civil society organisations, in a shared commitment towards ensuring social protection for all.
Germany strongly subscribes to the vision of Universal Social Protection and has been an active member of the USP2030 coalition since the start, as documented in the papers and events presented on this page.
Stories
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Cambodia leads the way: Bringing social protection into the core of climate action
Inclusive social protection systems that can anticipate risks, adapt to change, and respond swiftly in times of crisis are among the most effective investments in climate resilience. As the first country to comprehensively integrate social protection into its national climate commitments, Cambodia is charting a path toward climate action that puts people at the forefront
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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the Edge: Navigating Disaster Risks & the Need for Adaptive Social Protection
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces escalating climate risks — from glacial lake outburst floods to cloudbursts and landslides — that strike with increasing frequency and severity. This article explores how stronger disaster risk management and adaptive social protection can help the province safeguard vulnerable communities and break the cycle of loss.
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A first for Senegal, as social health insurance is extended to artisans
Informal sector workers often earn low and irregular wages, lack protection and face difficulties in accessing adequate basic services. As part of Senegal’s labour reforms, Germany is supporting a social protection pilot which could be extended to cover the whole informal sector
Events
Studies
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Extending work-related social protection to informal workers in Pakistan’s Punjab province
Summary of a scoping study by Martina Bergthaller
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Discussion Paper: A systems perspective on Universal Social Protection
Towards life-long equitable access to comprehensive social protection for all
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Leave no one behind
Insights from Cambodia’s national poverty identification system
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Every person counts
Promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the health sector in Cambodia