ILO welcomes UN Summit of the Future's focus on social justice and decent work

NEW YORK (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Director-General has welcomed the outcome of the United Nations Summit of the Future, which emphasized the pivotal role of social justice and decent work in tackling global challenges and shaping a sustainable future.

The Summit, held under the theme of Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow, closed with the adoption of a comprehensive Pact for the Future. The Pact includes 56 concrete actions to address pressing global issues and revitalize multilateralism.

ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, praised the Summit's focus on social justice. “Social justice through decent work must be the cornerstone of a modernized multilateral system,” he said. “The Summit's outcomes provide a robust foundation for a fair and inclusive global governance structure that aligns economic, social and environmental objectives.”

The Pact for the Future aims to reinvigorate multilateralism and transform global governance to make them fit to meet current and future challenges. It commits to accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, strengthening climate action, reforming the UN Security Council, advancing disarmament efforts, promoting responsible use of new technologies, empowering youth and reforming the international financial architecture.

At the Summit, held at the United Nations Headquarters, September 22-23, leaders also adopted a landmark Declaration on Future Generations, pledging to prioritize the well-being of future generations by advancing sustainable development, peace, and equity. The Summit further endorsed a Global Digital Compact, outlining a bold vision for an “inclusive, open, sustainable, fair, safe, and secure digital future that benefits all.”

“The Global Digital Compact presents a unique opportunity to harness science and technology as drivers of social justice and decent work,” Houngbo said. “Workers' and employers' organizations will play a crucial role in shaping sound global governance for digital technologies.”

The ILO's recent statement on the Summit of the Future emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between multilateral institutions, to address global trends affecting the world of work. It also stressed the importance of mobilizing resources to meet key challenges, particularly the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The ILO's Global Coalition for Social Justice exemplifies this renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation. With nearly 300 partners, from governments, international organizations, development banks, academia, workers’ and employers’ organizations, this innovative Coalition brings together a broad range of stakeholders to address global labour issues and advance the sustainable development goals.