The Government of Morocco will host the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour from 11 to 13 February 2026, bringing together representatives from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, and international partners. The event aims to accelerate progress toward ending child labour worldwide, as the latest ILO–UNICEF 2024 Global Estimates reveal that 138 million children remain in child labour, with 54 million engaged in hazardous work.
Building on 25 years of global collaboration, the Conference will follow the legacy of past editions held in Oslo, The Hague, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, and Durban, and will be guided by the six priority areas of the Durban Call to Action. This framework calls for immediate, gender-responsive, and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors and stakeholders to end child and forced labour, with participating countries expected to report on their progress.
The Conference takes place at a critical time, as the international community has yet to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 — eliminating all forms of child labour by 2025. While recent years have seen some progress, with a reduction of more than 20 million children in child labour since 2020, millions still face exploitation, particularly in the agricultural sector, which accounts for 61 per cent of global cases. Sustained financing, stronger policy coherence, universal social protection, quality education, and decent work for adults are identified as essential to eradicating child labour.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized that eliminating child labour requires supporting parents with decent employment and fair wages so their children can attend school rather than work. His remarks underscore the intrinsic link between child rights, education, and economic stability.
The Sixth Global Conference in Morocco will serve as a platform for high-level dialogue and exchange, enabling participants to share innovative solutions, address persistent challenges, and define concrete actions to eliminate child labour worldwide. Through interactive sessions and policy discussions, the event aims to deliver meaningful progress for children currently in labour and establish a coordinated roadmap for sustained action beyond 2030.
