The 2025 Gyeonggi–ILO International Labour Festa, held from 15–17 December in Goyang, Republic of Korea, highlighted the voices of youth advocating for more inclusive, secure, and forward-looking employment policies. Under the theme “Youth, Provinces and the Future of Work,” the forum brought together over 100 young participants from around the world, alongside representatives from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and international partners. Discussions focused on the evolving world of work and the critical role of sub-national actors in advancing decent work opportunities for young people.
In his opening remarks, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the global challenge of youth unemployment, noting that over 20 percent of young people, especially young women, are not in employment, education, or training, and those who do find work often face precarious and informal conditions lacking security, rights, and dignity. His message underscored the urgency of meaningful action to address these challenges.
Throughout the Festa, youth delegates engaged directly with provincial leaders, including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Korea’s Minister of Employment and Labour Kim Young-hoon, as well as ILO representatives and local and international social partners. Discussions prioritized pathways into decent jobs, equitable access to digital and green economy opportunities, and rapid policy responses to disruptions from AI, automation, and climate change. Leaders stressed that youth should not only benefit from policies but actively participate in shaping and implementing them.
A central theme was the role of provinces and sub-national authorities as “policy laboratories,” capable of designing, testing, and scaling innovations that address local labour-market realities while influencing national policies. The event showcased initiatives in green jobs, AI and digital skills development, workers’ rights on digital platforms, and youth-led projects developed in partnership with governments, employers, and workers’ organizations.
The Festa also advanced commitments from the ILO Youth Employment Action Plan 2020–2030, emphasizing participatory decision-making. The ILO launched its “Meaningful youth engagement for decent work” training package, aimed at equipping governments and social partners to work collaboratively with young people as equal partners in shaping and implementing employment policies. The event further contributed to the Global Coalitions for Social Justice initiative on Empowering Youth for Social Justice.
The 2025 ILO–Gyeonggi Labour Festa was jointly organized by the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, the International Labour Organization, and the Ministry of Employment and Labour of the Republic of Korea, reinforcing a collaborative approach to youth engagement, provincial innovation, and the future of work.
