News on Director-General

ILO Director-General briefs Chilean constituents on work to advance social justice

During his first visit to Chile, the Director-General met government officials, and representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations.

Official Mission to Chile:

ILO Director-General: ‘At a time when the world faces unprecedented challenges, advancing social justice is more important than ever’

During his first visit to Chile, the Director-General dialogue with ILO Chile about the role of the ILO in the United Nations system, and the significance of his mission to the country.

Press Release

ILO Director-General calls for national momentum to achieve social justice in Iraq

During a two-day visit, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo held talks with Iraq’s President, Prime Minister, senior Iraqi officials, social partners and youth representatives on advancing social justice and ensuring decent work in Iraq.

News item

ILO Director-General Houngbo calls for collective action in the Arab states to address growing challenges in the world of work

Gilbert F. Houngbo made his statement at this year’s Arab Labour Conference in Baghdad, where he invited stakeholders in the region to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice.

Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

Greater social justice is the cornerstone of a more sustained recovery, ILO tells World Bank and IMF

In statements to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings in Washington D.C., the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, underlined "the crucial need for concerted, coordinated action at all levels" in the face of converging global crises.

Employment creation in Moldova

ILO Director-General launches new EU-backed project to strengthen labour market institutions in the Republic of Moldova, during first joint ILO-European Commission visit to the country

Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo also held high level meetings with senior officials, including the President of Moldova, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Labour and Social Protection and the ILO’s social partners.

World Day of Social Justice

Change must start with a focus on social justice

On World Day of Social Justice, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, said there is a unique opportunity to bend the arc of history in favour of social justice and to put social needs at the same level as economic and environmental concerns.

High level event

Viet Nam Prime Minister meets ILO Director-General

Key labour and employment issues discussed include Viet Nam’s continued commitment to ratifying international labour standards and cooperation with the ILO.

Official visit

ILO Director-General: Saudi labour market reforms pivotal for advancing social justice and development in the Kingdom

Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, accompanied by Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat and the Director-General’s Senior Advisor for Africa and Arab States Chad Blackman, met with government, employer and worker representatives and attended the Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh.

Human Rights Day

75 Years of Human Rights and Labour Advocacy

On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Convention 87, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo calls for intensified efforts to promote and protect these rights and collectively strive for a future grounded in human dignity, freedom, and social justice.

G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

Climate change and new technologies mean double impact for workers, ILO Director-General underlines

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the need to improve skills training in the face of multiple challenges in the world of work.

G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

Climate change and new technologies mean double impact for workers, ILO Director-General underlines

Houngbo highlighted the need improve skills training in the face of multiple challenges in the world of work.

International Day of Care and Support

ILO Director-General statement for International Day of Care and Support

On the first International Day of Care and Support, the International Labour Organization calls for heavy investments in the care economy.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

ILO Director-General calls for greater international financial support for critical social needs in developing countries under fiscal stress

In statements to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, the ILO’s Director-General underlined the importance of helping debt-distressed developing countries to support social protection and decent work.

BRICS Ministers of Labour and Employment meeting

ILO Director-General welcomes BRICS commitment to ensuring decent work, dignity and respect for all

Speaking at the meeting of BRICS nations*, Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the importance of inclusive and sustainable development, promoting labour rights for all, ensuring universal access to social protection systems, closing the skills gap in the informal economy and promoting sustainable enterprises. (*Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)

#thiswaytosocialjustice

ILO launches global communication campaign to promote inequality reduction and social justice

Launched at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, the ILO “This Way to Social Justice" campaign calls for urgent action to reduce inequalities in the world of work.

Global initiative on decent work

ILO welcomes US-Brazil global initiative on decent work

The U.S Brazil Partnership for Workers’ Rights aims to ensure safe and fair working conditions, promote a worker-centric transition to clean energy, ensure new technologies benefit workers, and eliminate workplace discrimination.

UN General Assembly

ILO Director-General joins UN General Assembly

The ILO Director-General will participate in a series of high-level events, highlighting the need to tackle inequalities, create decent jobs and make progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be held during the UN General Assembly.

G20 Leaders’ Summit

ILO welcomes G20 support for just transition measures

G20 Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promote inclusive growth, sustainable development and decent work and their support for the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.

International Youth Day

Empower youth for a sustainable future

On International Youth Day, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, says young people need to be equipped with skills for the green economy, so they can find decent jobs and make the world a better place for people and planet.