ILO Head Welcomes UN Summit’s Focus on Social Justice and Decent Work in Global Governance

The Pact for the Future seeks to transform global governance structures to tackle modern challenges, including inequality, technological change, and sustainable development.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, has praised the United Nations Summit of the Future for emphasizing the critical role of social justice and decent work in addressing global challenges and ensuring a sustainable future. The Summit, held from September 22-23 at the UN Headquarters, adopted the Pact for the Future, a comprehensive plan featuring 56 concrete actions aimed at revitalizing multilateralism and advancing global governance reform.

The Summit, themed "Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow", concluded with commitments to strengthen climate action, accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and reform international institutions, including the UN Security Council. The Pact for the Future seeks to transform global governance structures to tackle modern challenges, including inequality, technological change, and sustainable development.

Houngbo emphasized that social justice and decent work should form the bedrock of the multilateral system, advocating for an inclusive approach that aligns economic, social, and environmental objectives. The Summit also endorsed a Global Digital Compact, aiming to shape an inclusive, open, and secure digital future that promotes decent work and ensures equitable access to technology for all.

Additionally, leaders at the Summit adopted a Declaration on Future Generations, prioritizing long-term well-being through efforts to advance sustainable development, peace, and equity for upcoming generations. Houngbo stressed that workers' and employers' organizations would be vital in governing and guiding the responsible use of digital technologies, which are increasingly shaping the future of work.

The ILO also called for enhanced multilateral collaboration to tackle emerging global trends affecting the workforce, urging stronger resource mobilization to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with this, the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, which includes nearly 300 partners across governments, international organizations, and workers' and employers' associations, exemplifies the ILO’s commitment to addressing labour challenges and advancing social justice through multilateral action.

Houngbo highlighted that initiatives like the Global Coalition are essential for achieving shared objectives, such as decent work, social equity, and sustainable economic growth, all of which are critical components of the SDGs. The Summit’s outcomes pave the way for a more equitable and just future, where workers' rights and social justice are prioritized across all sectors of the global economy.