New Zealand - ILO Cooperation

New Zealand is a founding member State of the ILO and is a key ILO partner in promoting the Decent Work Agenda. New Zealand has ratified 61 Conventions and one Protocol, including six Fundamental and three Governance Conventions.

New Zealand’s strategic contributions to the ILO

New Zealand funds the ILO through:

  • Assessed contributions to ILO's Regular Budget, paid by all ILO Member States by virtue of their membership. For 2020-2021, New Zealand's contribution totaled US$ 3.4 million.
  • Voluntary, non-core funding contributions earmarked for specific themes or projects. Between 2020 and 2022, New Zealand contributed US$ 3.3 million.

New Zealand’s support to ILO actions

New Zealand currently supports an ILO programme in Myanmar aimed at improving the ability of remittance-dependent communities in conflict-affected areas to cope with the impact of COVID-19 on their livelihoods as well as a progamme in Cambodia to support socio-economic recovery for returning migrants and host communities within the context of the pandemic.

New Zealand's approach to foreign trade and development cooperation

New Zealand’s policy for International Cooperation for Effective Sustainable Development was approved in November 2019. The policy confirms the Government's primary focus on the Pacific region and reflects a shift in how New Zealand works in the region. This includes deeper collaboration with Pacific partner countries and more ambition for Pacific engagement. It also sets out four development principles to guide New Zealand’s international development work: effectiveness, inclusiveness, resilience and sustainability.

Promoting sustainable development to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world, New Zealand's support follows the principles of understanding, friendship, mutual benefit and collective ambition in how development cooperation assistance is designed and delivered.

New Zealand dedicates almost 60% of its international development cooperation budget to the Pacific region and ASEAN countries. It also supports projects in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.