The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is the world’s leading international organization for social security institutions, government departments and agencies. The ISSA promotes excellence in social security administration through professional guidelines, expert knowledge, services and support. The ISSA provides data on social security systems in 177 countries and an exclusive member community. The ISSA promotes cooperation and exchange through events and expert networks and develops professional standards, undertakes research and analysis in order to offer practical services and support for social security administrations. The ISSA facilitates innovative approaches to strengthen administration, anticipate risks and manage change and supports global advocacy to promote comprehensive social security. The ISSA was founded in 1927 under the auspices of the International Labour Organization, and today has over 320 member institutions from over 150 countries.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) of China is the Affiliate member of ISSA. The Associate members of ISSA from China include Ministry of Emergency Management, China Association of Work Safety, Labour Affairs Bureau of Macau Special Administrative Region and Occupational Safety and Health Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Government of China received the prestigious ISSA Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Security for its unprecedented extension of pensions, health insurance and other forms of social protection at a session of the World Social Security Forum in Panama City in November, 2016.