UN Panel: Care Systems Key to Ending Global Poverty

Countries around the world are discovering that treating care as a public good, not a private burden, could be the breakthrough needed to end poverty for good.

At a United Nations panel in February 2026, experts from across the globe shared a powerful insight. When governments invest in care systems for children, elderly people, and those with disabilities, entire communities rise out of poverty.

The numbers tell a hopeful story. Countries that have made care a priority are seeing real results. China's International Poverty Reduction Center shared how elevating care policies to a core government priority helped lift vulnerable populations out of poverty while supporting those who need it most.

The breakthrough thinking centers on one key shift. For too long, caring for family members has fallen almost entirely on women and girls, trapping them in cycles of poverty by limiting their ability to work and earn income. When governments step in with robust support systems, women gain economic freedom and families gain stability.

The meeting at UN Headquarters brought together Member States to share what's working. Delegates emphasized that care economy investments create a win across the board: new jobs emerge, gender equality advances, and the most vulnerable receive support.

José Antonio Ocampo from Columbia University set the tone as moderator, noting that the global care economy stands at a turning point. Countries are ready to move from viewing care as someone's personal problem to recognizing it as essential infrastructure, like roads or schools.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of these investments spreads far beyond individual families. When one person receives support to care for an aging parent or child with special needs, they can enter the workforce. That means more household income, more tax revenue, and more economic growth for entire communities.

Countries facing tight budgets are finding that care investments actually pay for themselves through these broader economic returns. The panel revealed a consensus: robust care systems aren't a luxury for wealthy nations but a smart investment that accelerates progress toward the 2030 sustainable development goals.

The February discussion built on momentum from the Second World Summit for Social Development held in Doha just months earlier. That summit produced concrete commitments, and countries are now sharing best practices for turning those promises into reality.

Member States will continue working through February 10 to develop practical solutions that ensure no one gets left behind.