Statements and speeches by the ILO's Director-General

May 2023

  1. Porto Social Forum 2023

    ILO Director-General highlights the European social model as a geopolitical lever

    27 May 2023

    Speaking at the Porto Social Forum, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) commended the European Union (EU) for its leading role in promoting international labour standards and the integration of occupational safety and health conventions.

  2. © ETUC 2023

    15th ETUC Congress

    Statement by ILO Director-General to European Trade Union Confederation

    24 May 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the urgent need for a Global Coalition for Social Justice and the critical role of the European Trade Unions in championing workers' rights, addressing inequalities, and promoting decent work amidst global crisis and technological transformations.

  3. 75th anniversary of International Road Transport Union (IRU)

    Road transport is essential for human-centred development, inclusivity and prosperity

    12 May 2023

    Speech by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo to International Road Transport Union (IRU)’s 75th anniversary.

  4. Labour Day

    Time to prioritize social justice

    01 May 2023

    ILO Director-General calls for a Global Coalition for Social Justice and a reshaping of economic, social and environmental policies to create a more stable and equitable future.

April 2023

  1. World Day for Safety and Health at Work

    Why safety and health at work is essential for social justice

    28 April 2023

    In a statement to mark World Day for Safety and Health, the ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, outlines the critical importance of safe and healthy working environments.

  2. Japan Parliamentarians League

    Japan's contribution to advancing social justice

    25 April 2023

    ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo statement to the Japanese Parliamentarians’ League on ILO Activities.

  3. © ILO / OIT 2023

    Statement

    Director-General statement for the 100th anniversary of the ILO’s Office in Japan

    25 April 2023

  4. © APA 2023

    G7 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting 2023

    Enhancing work engagement and promoting decent work

    23 April 2023

    Speech by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo at the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting held in Kurashiki, Japan (Session 6).

  5. © JCIE 2023

    G7 Labour and Employment Ministers Meeting

    Statement: Developing an inclusive labour market – Focus on women and youth

    22 April 2023

    Intervention by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo at the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting held in Kurashiki, Japan (Session 4).

  6. Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

    ILO Director-General statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)

    14 April 2023

  7. Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

    ILO Director-General statement to the Development Committee

    12 April 2023

March 2023

  1. © UNDESA 2023

    UN 2023 Water Conference

    How to accelerate progress towards universal access to safe water

    24 March 2023

    ILO Director-General and Chair of UN Water, Gilbert F. Houngbo, has commended the adoption of the Water Action Agenda at the landmark UN 2023 Water Conference in New York. The Agenda aims to tackle the growing global water crisis by mainstreaming water issues in intergovernmental processes.

  2. Statement

    Reply by the Director General to the debate on the Programme and Budget proposals for 2024–25 (Thursday 16 March 2023)

    16 March 2023

  3. Statement

    Opening address of the ILO Director-General

    13 March 2023

  4. © Hadynyah / Getty Images 2023

    International Women’s Day

    ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo, message for International Women’s Day

    08 March 2023

  5. LDC5 Conference in Qatar

    ILO Director-General says more investment needed for least-developed countries

    07 March 2023

February 2023

  1. © cokada 2023

    Podcast

    Podcast: ILO Director-General – why we need greater social justice

    20 February 2023

    On World Day of Social Justice, the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F Houngbo, explained why policymakers must prioritize social justice or risk fueling poverty, inequality and social unrest, as well as undermining action against climate change.

  2. World Day of Social Justice

    The world needs a strong and sustained dose of social justice

    17 February 2023

    In a statement for World Day of Social Justice, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo calls for a global momentum to contribute to the reduction and prevention of inequalities.

December 2022

  1. International Migrants Day

    ILO Director-General message for International Migrants Day

    18 December 2022

    The International community must do better to ensure the world’s 169 million migrant workers are able to realize their basic human and labour rights, says ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, in a message released for International Migrants Day.

  2. 17th Asia-Pacific regional meeting

    ILO Director-General opening statement at the 17th Asia-Pacific regional meeting

    06 December 2022

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