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United Kingdom - ILO Cooperation

As one of the founding Member States of the ILO, the United Kingdom (UK) has been a valued partner of the ILO since 1919. The United Kingdom has ratified 89 Conventions, including the eight fundamental ILO Conventions as well as two Protocols. In addition to annual, assessed contributions made by the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the ILO’s regular budget, the Government of the United Kingdom is a major contributor to the ILO’s development cooperation programme through its Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) . It was among the ILO’s largest development cooperation partners between 2020-2023.

The United Kingdom's strategic contribution to the ILO

The United Kingdom funds the ILO through:

  • Assessed contributions to the ILO's Regular Budget paid by all ILO member States by virtue of their membership. From 2018 to 2022, the United Kingdom contributed  US$ 87.6 million.
  • Voluntary, non-core funding contributions earmarked for priority themes and projects. From 2018 to 2022, the United Kingdom contributed US$ 78.4 million.
The United Kingdom’s financial contributions, 2018-22 (US$ 166.0 million)


The United Kingdom’s support to ILO intitiatives

The ILO currently implements programmes in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan and the Philippines as well as in the Asia and the Pacific region with development cooperation funding from the United Kingdom.

  1. View the United Kingdom's portfolio in the Development Cooperation dashboard


The United Kingdom’s strategic priorities for development cooperation:

  • The 2021 Integrated Review described the government’s vision for the UK’s role and action in the world over the next decade to support achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It commits to a new international development strategy building on strategic priorities for 2021-22: climate and biodiversity; global health security; open societies and conflict resolution; girls’ education; humanitarian preparedness and response, especially food security and famine prevention; science and technology; and trade and economic development.
  • The 2022 UK Government’s Strategy for International Development revisits the UK’s approach to international development building on the Integrated Review. It sets out a broad direction of aid under four priorities: 1) deliver honest and reliable investment supporting partner countries to grow their economies sustainably; 2) provide women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed, unlocking their future potential, educating girls, supporting their empowerment and protecting them against violence; 3) provide life-saving humanitarian assistance driving a more effective international response to humanitarian crises; and 4) take forward the work on climate change, nature and global health.