Díaz launches in Mexico the first Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy

The Second Vice-President and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, during her visit to Mexico

Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy

"Social economy is a present and future alternative to global disorder. The Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy is another milestone in the construction of more horizontal relations between Europe and Latin America", said the minister at the presentation of this network, which together with Spain includes Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Colombia, Guatemala and Cuba among its promoters. Talks are also already under way with other nations to join the initiative.

The aim of this network is to promote social economy organisations to create the conditions for the development of a sector made up of cooperatives, labour companies, integration companies, special employment centres and mutual societies, among others, and the full integration of this entire productive ecosystem in regional trade.

The social economy, which promotes sustainable and democratic development and has as its pillar the equitable distribution of the wealth it generates, is a productive model that improves the living conditions of the population and especially of people in vulnerable situations.

"The Ibero-American Network for the Promotion of Social and Solidarity Economy is an instrument of cooperation that will strengthen democracy and social justice in all Ibero-American countries", said Díaz, who in her speech emphasised how this way of understanding the economy provides decent work, broadens rights, strengthens the welfare system and contributes to more inclusive societies.

The creation of this network follows the approval last year, at the initiative of this ministry, of the first UN General Assembly resolution on the social economy, with the aim of promoting policies that encourage this economic model.

"The social economy is key to recovering the strategic autonomy of our states, as it is an economy that never relocates and is at the service of local communities. It is a resilient economy that always prioritises people's well-being," the vice-president explained.

Meetings with Colombian Minister for Labour and Mexican presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum

The vice-president plans to hold a bilateral meeting with her Colombian counterpart, the Minister for Labour Gloria Inés Ramírez, with whom she will discuss the strengthening of relations between the two countries, specifically in labour matters.

Díaz will also meet with Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's presidential candidate. This is the second meeting between the two politicians, who already met in November 2022, when Sheinbaum was head of the Mexico City government.

Non official translation