The 127th Bureau Meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland, 26–27 June 2023. The ISSA Bureau holds an important position in the ISSA governance. With representatives from member institutions around the world, it meets at least once a year to follow-up with the ISSA Secretariat on the implementation and results of the Association’s plans, activities and budget. One of its important functions is also to elect the Vice-President in the beginning of each triennium.

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“I am honoured to be elected Vice-President of the International Social Security Association, and I look forward to working with the ISSA and all its’ members to promote the crucial importance of social security for our societies and citizens”, said Isabelle Sancerni.

Ms Sancerni is a well-respected personality who has played an active role in the Association for several years. Beyond her role as President of the Board of Directors at the National Family Allowances Fund (Caisse nationale des allocations familiales – CNAF) in France, she chairs the ISSA Technical Commission on Family Benefits and is the President of the ISSA Focal Point for French-speaking Countries. Naturally, she also contributes regularly as a speaker at ISSA events. The election of Isabelle Sancerni completes the ISSA leadership for the 2023–2025 triennium, following the elections held at the World Social Security Forum in Morocco in October 2022.

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Mia Seppo, Assistant Director-General for Jobs and Social Protection, addressed the ISSA Bureau on behalf of the recently appointed leadership of International Labour Organization (ILO). She highlighted the importance of the partnership with the ISSA to make the bridge between social security policy and implementation. The recent International Labour Conference (ILC) concluded with a renewed commitment to social justice, and in his speech to the ILC, Secretary General Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano stressed that the ISSA stands ready to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice, a key initiative of the new ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.

Reviewing progress and constitutional amendments

The ISSA Bureau dealt with a number of important issues during its two-day meeting, such as the replacement of Bureau members and Chairpersons of the Technical Commissions, admission of new member institutions, various reports on activities and events, and partnerships with international organizations.

It also highlighted that based on the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for making the ISSA governance more resilient and efficient. It therefore established the Working Group of the ISSA Bureau on Constitutional Amendments. The working group should complete its work by the first semester of 2025, and any proposals approved by the ISSA Bureau will then be submitted for decision to the ISSA General Assembly at its 35th Session at the World Social Security Forum in Malaysia in 2025.

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