Statements and speeches by the ILO's Director-General

August 2023

  1. SDG 8 Month: Decent work for all

    Accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 8

    01 August 2023

    At the start of SDG 8 month, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, warns that without concerted action on the social, economic and environmental targets Goal 8 covers, humanity risks being locked in a cycle of crisis and conflict on a forever damaged planet.

July 2023

  1. G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting

    ILO Director-general presentation on Global Employment Trends 2023

    21 July 2023

    In his presentation to the G20 Ministers gathered in Indore (India) on 20-21 July, Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the need for creating policy space for decent and productive employment and social protection.

  2. G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting

    ILO Director-general presentation on the Antalya G20 Youth Goal

    21 July 2023

    Findings of the ILO and OECD report on progress in 2022 towards achieving the Antalya target, to reduce the share of young people who are most at risk of being permanently left behind by 15 per cent by 2025.

  3. G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, Indore, India

    Presentation of the Global Employment Trends 2023 to G20 Labour ministers (Powerpoint)

    21 July 2023

  4. G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting, Indore, India

    Youth at Work in the G20: Progress towards the Antalya Goal and Policy Action in 2022 (PowerPoint Presentation)

    21 July 2023

    Presentation by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting Indore, 20-21 July 2023

  5. International Day of Cooperatives

    Harness the power of cooperatives for building inclusive and resilient communities

    01 July 2023

    Ahead of International Day of Cooperatives, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasizes the crucial role of cooperatives in sustainable development, poverty reduction, and creating inclusive societies.

June 2023

  1. Just and sustainable workplace

    Closing message at the National Conference of Employers in the Philippines

    28 June 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo addressed the National Conference of Employers on Human-Centred Transitions for a Just and Sustainable Workplace held in Manila.

  2. Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

    MSMEs: The backbone of economies and the world of work

    27 June 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo's statement reaffirms the ILO's commitment to supporting Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and ensuring their resilience in the face of multiple crises, climate change, and economic uncertainties.

  3. Seafarer 2050 Summit

    Keynote address at the Shaping the Future of Shipping – Seafarer 2050 Summit

    26 June 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted at the Shaping the Future of Shipping – Seafarer 2050 Summit the need for a new global social contract, including for the global maritime industry.

  4. Video

    Recovery in Ukraine can be built on decent work and social justice

    23 June 2023

    On the occasion of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2023, the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo states that "a rapid recovery is only possible if sound foundations, built on decent work and social justice, are laid now as an essential precondition for peace."

  5. International Day for Domestic Workers

    There is no social justice without decent work for domestic workers

    16 June 2023

    On the International Day for Domestic Workers, 16 June 2023, the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo calls upon all countries to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention, Number 189.

  6. Statement

    Opening remarks of ILO Director-General at the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All

    14 June 2023

  7. World Day Against Child Labour

    To bring social justice to all we must end child labour

    12 June 2023

    On World Day Against Child Labour, 12 June 2023, the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo calls on the international community to support greater social justice and step up the fight against child labour.

  8. Statement

    Opening remarks by Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General, at the 111th International Labour Conference

    05 June 2023

May 2023

  1. Porto Social Forum 2023

    ILO Director-General highlights the European social model as a geopolitical lever

    27 May 2023

    Speaking at the Porto Social Forum, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) commended the European Union (EU) for its leading role in promoting international labour standards and the integration of occupational safety and health conventions.

  2. 15th ETUC Congress

    Statement by ILO Director-General to European Trade Union Confederation

    24 May 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the urgent need for a Global Coalition for Social Justice and the critical role of the European Trade Unions in championing workers' rights, addressing inequalities, and promoting decent work amidst global crisis and technological transformations.

  3. 75th anniversary of International Road Transport Union (IRU)

    Road transport is essential for human-centred development, inclusivity and prosperity

    12 May 2023

    Speech by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to International Road Transport Union (IRU)’s 75th anniversary.

  4. Labour Day

    Time to prioritize social justice

    01 May 2023

    ILO Director-General calls for a Global Coalition for Social Justice and a reshaping of economic, social and environmental policies to create a more stable and equitable future.

April 2023

  1. World Day for Safety and Health at Work

    Why safety and health at work is essential for social justice

    28 April 2023

    In a statement to mark World Day for Safety and Health, the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, outlines the critical importance of safe and healthy working environments.

  2. Japan Parliamentarians League

    Japan's contribution to advancing social justice

    25 April 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo statement to the Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on ILO Activities.