The Government of China and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an amendment to a long-standing South–South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) agreement on 9 December in Beijing. Originally established in 2008 with a total contribution of $5 million from China, the partnership highlights China’s leadership in advancing SSTC and its ongoing support for promoting decent work and social justice across partner countries.
The amendment expands the project’s activities across ASEAN Member States, continuing cooperation with Lao PDR and Cambodia and introducing a new focus on Indonesia. This expansion aims to increase the initiative’s outreach, strengthen the skills development network, promote regional knowledge sharing, and enhance South–South Cooperation across the region.
Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, participated in the signing ceremony alongside China’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, emphasizing China’s significant contributions and the importance of continued collaboration in advancing skills development and employment promotion.
China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has been a key partner in sharing practical expertise in skills development, employment promotion, and social protection with emerging economies, generating tangible benefits for countries in Asia, the Pacific, and Africa. The partnership aligns with the broader Belt and Road Initiative and includes the ILO-China Partnership Project on Strengthening Skills Development in ASEAN, which has been expanded to additional Member States.
The project focuses on boosting employability and entrepreneurship by strengthening skills systems, improving employment services, and building institutional capacity in training centers. Supported by a previous contribution of $4 million from MOHRSS, it has helped ASEAN partners develop skills laws, regulations, and mechanisms for mutual skills recognition.
A key achievement of the collaboration is the Skills Development Network, established in 2021, which now connects 41 technical and vocational education and training institutes from China, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. The network serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and regional impact.
The newly signed amendment adds $1 million to support the Skills for Dream Action under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, reinforcing efforts to enhance skills development and expand access to quality employment opportunities across ASEAN.
