The African Union (AU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have advanced preparations for their second Joint Operational Plan (JOP) for 2025–2029, building on the outcomes of their first collaboration. A joint planning meeting held in Addis Ababa brought together technical experts and decision-makers from both institutions, along with partners such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), to align priorities and define a coordinated roadmap for implementation.
The central goal of the renewed plan is to translate long-standing commitments on decent work and social justice into measurable, continent-wide action. Officials emphasized that the next phase of cooperation must be more results-driven, with stronger monitoring, follow-up, and coordination to ensure that commitments lead to tangible improvements in people’s lives across Africa.
The upcoming plan will focus on key labour market priorities, including job creation with a strong emphasis on youth employment, skills development for evolving economies, expansion of social protection systems, and support for enterprise growth. It also addresses emerging areas such as green jobs, the blue economy, digital transformation, and the transition from informal to formal employment.
Other important priorities highlighted during the discussions include strengthening labour migration governance, advancing gender equality, enforcing international labour standards, and improving labour statistics systems. Participants also stressed the need for better alignment between macroeconomic policies and employment outcomes to enhance policy effectiveness across member states.
Collaboration with institutions such as UNECA was identified as essential for accelerating implementation, alongside stronger joint resource mobilization to ensure the plan is delivered at scale. The partners also agreed on the importance of clearer roles and responsibilities, improved coordination across departments, and more robust monitoring and reporting systems.
The outcome of the meeting is expected to be a validated Joint Operational Plan for 2025–2029, supported by an annual work plan for 2026 that sets out specific actions, timelines, and accountability mechanisms. This framework will guide implementation efforts and strengthen partnerships across stakeholders.
The AU–ILO partnership continues to play a key role in advancing Africa’s Decent Work Agenda in line with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals. The renewed plan aims to support inclusive growth, improved livelihoods, and greater social justice across the continent, with a strong focus now shifting toward large-scale implementation.
