The ILO's tripartite structure is an important asset for enabling United Nations agencies to connect with important economic and social actors globally, regionally and in countries. The ILO invests in building the capacity of its constituents – governments, workers, employers – to take part in, influence and benefit from arrangements resulting from better UN system-wide coherence.

The ILO works to ensure that employers' and workers' organizations participate in national policy-making – in a bid to give all women and men decent work opportunities.

In particular, the systematic consultation of social partners in the drafting of UN Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs) and UN Country Programmes is a requirement stipulated in the Common Country Approach/United Nations Development Assistance Framework (CCA/UNDAF) Guidelines.

Guidance has been prepared and made available to ILO field offices to promote consistency between Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs), UN Country Programmes and Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAFs).