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Asia and the Pacific is one of the most diverse regions of the world. The population of more than four billion people includes some of the wealthiest countries on earth as well as two-thirds of the world’s poor.

In recent years the region has faced challenges that have seriously tested its social-economic infrastructure, not least the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the tectonic shifts in the world of work brought about by drivers such as digitization, migration and climate change generate new challenges.

The ILO works with its members in the region to deal with these and other issues. Institution building, policy support and local economic development play a critical role in social and economic progress. Respect for fundamental principles and rights at work helps to ensure that all sections of society benefit.

Significant challenges remain, including increasing productive and decent employment opportunities, providing adequate social protection, and responding to crises such as the COVID pandemic. Other key issues include human trafficking, forced labour and child labour, the informal economy, migration, poverty alleviation, safety and health in the workplace, equality and inclusion as well as skills, employability and youth employment.

Latest news and stories

Decent work towards 2050: Joint ILO-PIF Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue opens
ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa greets Fiji President Wiliame Katonivere

Press release

Decent work towards 2050: Joint ILO-PIF Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue opens

Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to take place 23-26 April 2024 in Suva, Fiji
Participants of the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in Suva, Fiji

Media advisory

Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent to take place 23-26 April 2024 in Suva, Fiji

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Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent in Suva, Fiji
High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work for the Blue Pacific Continent

High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work for the Blue Pacific Continent

Labour ministers, union representatives and employer representatives from the Pacific region will gather to Suva (Fiji) from 23 to 26 April to discuss labour-related challenges.

Events

Regional Policy Dialogue: Policy Innovations for the Digital Transitions in the Labour Market

Policy dialogue

Regional Policy Dialogue: Policy Innovations for the Digital Transitions in the Labour Market

Publications

Formalization and simplified micro and small enterprise regimes: Towards reform of the Viet Nam household business legislation

Formalization

Formalization and simplified micro and small enterprise regimes: Towards reform of the Viet Nam household business legislation

The care economy and decent work in Sri Lanka: Opportunities, challenges and future trends

The care economy and decent work in Sri Lanka: Opportunities, challenges and future trends

Projects and programmes

Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills and promote safe and regular migration (UPLIFT)

Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills and promote safe and regular migration (UPLIFT)

Skills Innovation Challenge Call in India: Upgrading informal apprenticeships through digital transformation

Skills Innovation Challenge Call India 2023

Skills Innovation Challenge Call in India: Upgrading informal apprenticeships through digital transformation

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Group with hands together symbolizing collaboration, teamwork, partnership and goals
Development Cooperation Dashboard

Development Cooperation Dashboard

The dashboard offers interactive visualizations of ILO development cooperation projects across Asia and the Pacific

Learn more from the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The Regional Office in Bangkok supports work in 36 member countries, from Afghanistan to the Pacific Islands and from Mongolia to New Zealand. Two teams of decent work specialists, based in Bangkok and New Delhi, provide a range of technical services and expertise that support work throughout the region and provide assistance to the ILO’s constituents - governments, workers' and employers’ organizations. In addition, there are country, liaison or project offices in 22 countries in the region.

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Contact

ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand

Tel: +662 288 1234
Fax: +662 280 1735
Email: BANGKOK@ilo.org

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