Minister Yoon Hojung Signs Social and Solidarity Economy MOUs with Spain and Senegal, Strengthening International Cooperation

Agreement Reached to Strengthen Strategic Cooperation with Spain in Nine Areas

MOU Signed with Senegalese Minister, Expanding Scope of Collaboration

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, attended the United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on Social and Solidarity Economy held in New York, USA, from September 24 to 26, 2026, where he shared Korea's achievements in social and solidarity economy policies and discussed ways to expand international cooperation.

This meeting was convened to review the implementation progress of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/213 (the resolution to promote social and solidarity economy for sustainable development) and initiate discussions on the adoption of the third resolution on social and solidarity economy next year.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung is taking a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in the social solidarity economy sector with Yolanda Diaz, Minister of Labor, Social Economy and Spain, on the 25th afternoon (local time) at the Cervantes Institute in New York, USA. Provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

Minister Yoon introduced Korea's efforts to strengthen its institutional foundation through the enactment of the Framework Act on Social and Solidarity Economy and the establishment of a comprehensive plan. He particularly emphasized that the social and solidarity economy can play a key role in addressing the growing gaps in local life services caused by declining population and aging demographics.

He presented the example of the “Sunlight Income Village,” where a residents’ cooperative operates a village bus and provides free meals to seniors using profits from solar power generation, highlighting the potential of the social and solidarity economy as a practical solution to local issues.

In addition, he mentioned that the establishment of a stable support system—such as expanding social finance tailored to the social and solidarity economy and increasing public procurement—is necessary to foster the growth of social and solidarity enterprises. He further emphasized the importance of active participation from local governments and the involvement of younger generations as core drivers of future development.

During the meeting, Minister Yoon had a bilateral meeting with Yolanda Diaz Perez, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Economy of Spain, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the social and solidarity economy. The two countries agreed to strengthen strategic collaboration in nine areas, including: ▲ improvement of laws and institutions ▲ policy development ▲ measurement of social value ▲ contributions of the social and solidarity economy to areas such as the care economy, social housing, rural development, renewable energy, and circular economy ▲ social finance, among others.

Subsequently, he also signed an MOU with Alioune Dion, Minister of Microfinance and Social and Solidarity Economy of Senegal, thereby expanding the scope of cooperation to Africa. Minister Yoon assessed that Korea—being the first country in Asia to enact a Framework Act on Social and Solidarity Economy—and Senegal—a policy leader in Africa—can jointly play a role in the international community.

On the morning of the 25th (local time), Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, exchanged opinions with Abraham Kim, Chairman of the Korea Society in New York, on ways to enhance Korea-US exchanges at the community level. Provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety

In his meeting with Li Junhua, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Minister Yoon discussed ways to extend the existing cooperation in public administration and digital government to the field of the social and solidarity economy. Both sides agreed that the social and solidarity economy contributes to bridging gaps between countries and advancing sustainable development, and committed to strengthening cooperation to disseminate Korea’s policy experience to the international community.

On September 25, Minister Yoon also met with Abraham Kim, Chairman of the Korea Society, and Vice President Seo Ji-young, emphasizing that Korea-U.S. exchanges can develop into broader and more sustainable relationships when grounded in daily community activities. To this end, he proposed expanding exchanges among organizations in the social and solidarity economy, nonprofit civil organizations, and volunteer groups, and expressed hope that the Korea Society's network will help connect local communities in both countries.

Minister Yoon stated, "Good policies and best practices are public assets that the international community should share and further develop together," adding, "I will continue to work closely with countries and international organizations to ensure continued progress in discussions on the social and solidarity economy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.