The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Commission have reaffirmed their strategic partnership by agreeing to strengthen cooperation on social justice, decent work, and quality employment. The renewed agenda was announced during their 17th High-Level Meeting in Brussels, where both organizations committed to addressing the challenges shaping the future of work.
The partnership focuses on ensuring that global changes, including climate change, artificial intelligence, demographic shifts, and evolving labour markets, create more inclusive economic opportunities while protecting workers’ rights. Both organizations emphasized the importance of international labour standards, strong labour market institutions, and social dialogue to support sustainable and resilient economies.
The renewed cooperation will prioritize human-centred governance of artificial intelligence, helping workers develop new skills while ensuring technological advances create decent jobs rather than widen inequalities. The partners also highlighted the need to strengthen labour rights in global supply chains by aligning trade and investment policies with international labour standards.
In addition, the ILO and the European Commission will expand collaboration on social protection, workforce development, fair labour transitions, and international development initiatives. By combining the European Union’s policy and financial resources with the ILO’s technical expertise and tripartite approach, the partnership aims to improve working conditions and promote sustainable economic growth worldwide.
The renewed strategic agenda reinforces the shared commitment of both organizations to building inclusive labour markets, protecting workers, and creating quality jobs that support a fair and human-centred future of work.
