Statements and speeches by the ILO's Director-General

March 2024

  1. International Women's Day

    Gender equality matters for all of us

    07 March 2024

    In his message for International Women’s Day, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, says there is no social justice without gender equality.

February 2024

  1. Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C.

    Advancing Decent Work and Labour Rights Globally

    21 February 2024

    In his keynote address to the event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington D.C., ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, says the fight for decent work and labour rights is one that demands our urgent attention.

  2. World Day of Social Justice

    Change must start with a focus on social justice

    20 February 2024

    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.

January 2024

  1. ECOSOC Special Meeting

    Navigating the Future of Work: A call for inclusive and sustainable solutions

    23 January 2024

    In his address to the ECOSOC Special Meeting on “The Future of Work: towards a productive, inclusive and sustainable global society,” ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, explains how advancing decent work and social justice are pivotal to address the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements, demographic shifts, and the climate crisis.

  2. WESO Trends 2024

    World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024: ILO Director-General’s remarks

    10 January 2024

    While presenting the latest edition of the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 to the press, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo explained how growing inequalities and stagnant productivity are causes for concern.

December 2023

  1. Human Rights Day

    75 Years of Human Rights and Labour Advocacy

    10 December 2023

    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.

November 2023

  1. 16 Days of Activism

    ILO Director-General Message for the elimination of gender-based violence

    24 November 2023

    The 16 Days of Activism Global Campaign to call for the elimination of gender-based violence runs annually from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day). This year’s theme is "UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls".

  2. G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

    ILO Director-General’s talking points to the G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

    22 November 2023

  3. G20

    Remarks by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG) handover meeting

    07 November 2023

October 2023

  1. 349th Session of the ILO Governing Body

    Opening address of the ILO Director-General to the 349th session of the Governing Body

    30 October 2023

  2. International Day of Care and Support

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

    29 October 2023

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

  3. Statement

    ILO Director-General’s statement on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory

    27 October 2023

    The ILO Director-General has issued a statement on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

  4. 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians

    ICLS Centenary Conference:
    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo’s closing remarks

    20 October 2023

  5. International Monetary Fund Committee

    ILO Director-General statement to the International Monetary Fund IMFC

    14 October 2023

    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.

  6. World Bank Development Committee

    ILO Director-General statement to the World Bank Development Committee

    12 October 2023

    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.

September 2023

  1. 9th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

    ILO Director-General speech on “ Labour rights - Ensuring rights at work”

    28 September 2023

    Statement delivered at the meeting of BRICS nations* in Durban, South Africa. (*Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)

  2. 9th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

    ILO Director-General spotlights inequalities and labour market insecurities in speech to BRICS

    28 September 2023

    In his statement delivered at the opening session of the meeting of BRICS nations* in Durban, South Africa, Gilbert F. Houngbo, outlined the economic challenges facing countries worldwide. (*Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)

  3. Human Rights 75

    Social Protection, Sustainable Development, and Right to Development

    25 September 2023

    Statement by ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, at the Human Rights 75 - September Thematic Spotlight Discussion co organized by the ILO and the UN Human Rights Office.

  4. Statement

    A time for social justice

    12 September 2023

    In his address at Georgetown University in Qatar ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo highlighted the pressing need for global action on social justice amid multiple crises, labour market inequalities, and technological transformations.

August 2023

  1. International Youth Day

    Empower youth for a sustainable future

    12 August 2023

    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.