On 26 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared that, starting from 2008, 20 February will be celebrated annually as the World Day of Social Justice. Social Justice Poverty and inequalities within and among countries are on the rise in many parts of the world. The economic and social crises of recent years have been exacerbated by the consequences of the pandemic, natural disasters due to accelerating climate change, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts. Beyond the human tragedies associated with them and their impact on the world of work, these crises have highlighted the interlinkages and dependencies of economies and societies around the world and shown the crucial need for concerted action to respond to them, at global, regional and national levels. Social justice makes societies and economies function better and reduces poverty, inequalities and social tensions. Need for Social justice The United Nations General Assembly recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peace and security within and among nations and that, in turn, social development and social justice cannot be attained in the absence of peace and security, or in the absence of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It further recognizes that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities through trade, investment and capital flows and advances in technology, including information technology, for the growth of the world economy and the development and improvement of living standards around the world, while at the same time there remain serious challenges, including serious financial crises, insecurity, poverty, exclusion and inequality within and among societies, and considerable obstacles to further integration and full participation in the global economy for developing countries, as well as some countries with economies in transition. 2026 Theme: Strengthening a Just Transition for a Sustainable Future Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future means making sure our move toward low-carbon economies benefits everyone, especially the most vulnerable. It requires a holistic approach that weaves environmental sustainability with social justice, ensuring that workers, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities receive the support they need—through retraining, job creation, and strong social protection measures. In other words, decarbonization and economic transformation should go hand in hand with policies that fight poverty, reduce inequality, and open up opportunities for all. At the heart of this vision is the idea of integrating “just transition” principles into both global and national policies. Ultimately, strengthening a just transition is about re-imagining our economic and environmental systems to prioritize people as much as the planet. It’s a call to shift the focus from simply decarbonizing to also redistributing opportunities and resources so that sustainable growth benefits everyone. Through collective action and inclusive policies, we can create a future where environmental integrity and social equity go hand in hand, forming the foundation of a truly sustainable global economy. Source : UN Related resources World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025