The World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025, organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA), was held from September 29 to October 3, 2025, at the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Convention Centre in KL, Malaysia.
Exam Hints:
- What? WSSF 2025
- When? From September 29 to October 3, 2025
- Where? In Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Organizer: ISSA
- Host: SOCSO & EPF
- Support: KWAP, ICU JPM
- Theme: “Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition”
- ISSA Award 2025: India received by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (MoL&E)
- ISSA Leadership Elections:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Azman (PERKESO) re-elected
- Treasurer: Jean-Marc Vandenbergh (ONEM) re-elected
About WSSF 2025:
Theme: The WSSF 2025 was held under the theme titled “Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition”, addressing challenges from demographic shifts, labor market changes, technology, and sustainability.
Host: WSSF 2025 was hosted by Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO), (also known as Social Security Organization (SOCSO) of Malaysia) and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
Participation: The event witnessed the participation of over 2,000 delegates from more than 133 countries, including minsters, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), senior executives, experts, and international organizations.
Platform: The forum served as a platform for global leaders to discuss and develop strategies for adapting social security frameworks to be more inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking.
Highlights of WSSF 2025:
ISSA Award 2025:
2025 Awardee: India received the ‘ISSA Award 2025 for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’ in recognition of its transformative efforts in social security coverage.
- Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), received the award on behalf of Government of India (GoI).
ISSA Award: The ISSA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security, established in 2013, a triennial award, is the highest honour conferred by the ISSA to countries that have made significant advancements in building resilient and inclusive social protection systems.
Social Security in India:
Coverage: India has dramatically increased social security coverage from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025, extending benefits to over 940 million citizens, one of the largest and fastest expansions of social security globally.
Digital Innovation: The key initiatives by India include e-Shram Portal, a national database launched in 2021, connecting over 310 million unorganized workers to various social welfare schemes through a multilingual interface.
- It also includes National Career Service (NCS) Portal, which integrates with e-Shram to provide job seekers with access to global employment opportunities, ensuring continued social security benefits.
Institutions: The institutions such as Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), provide retirement savings and pension benefits, and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) offers healthcare, insurance, and other welfare schemes, adapting to changing labour markets and technological advancements.
ISSA Leadership Elections 2025:
Election: On 3 October 2025, the ISSA Council held elections during WSSF 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, renewing leadership for the 2026–2028 triennium.
President Re-Elected: Dr. Mohammed Azman, CEO & Director General(DG) of PERKESO, was re-elected, continuing his role in advancing Universal Social Protection 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs).
Treasurer Re-Elected: Jean-Marc Vandenbergh, Director General(DG) of Belgium’s National Employment Office (ONEM), retained his position to ensure financial stability.
Control Commission: New members were elected to oversee governance and compliance.
Other Launches:
ISSA Guidelines: The forum featured the launch of new ISSA Guidelines on Administrative Solutions for Long-Term Care Services and nine revised sets of guidelines, providing frameworks for effective social security administration.
International Social Security Video Festival: Launched at WSSF 2025 to showcase innovative videos on best practices, success stories, and solutions in global social security systems.
Bilateral Meetings :
During the event, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, MoL&E, engaged in significant bilateral discussions focusing on enhancing international cooperation in areas such as mutual recognition of skills, safe labour mobility, and collaborative social protection initiatives.
With ISSA Leader: He met with Professor Mohammed Azman, President of ISSA and CEO of PERKESO, focusing enhanced representation and voting rights within the ISSA.
With Malaysia: He held discussions with Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources (HR), Malaysia, emphasizing India’s readiness to support the labour market needs of Malaysia through its skilled workforce.
With Uganda: He met with Betty Amongi Ongom, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda, highlighting the revival of the India-Uganda Joint Trade Cooperation Session after 23 years and explored partnerships in public works, agriculture, traditional medicine, and telemedicine.
About International Social Security Association (ISSA):
President – Mohammed Azam Aziz bin Abdul Rahman
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1927
