The ILO and the international community

The role of the ILO in the modern world is continually expanding. The ILO’s Decent Work agenda proposes a significant platform to address the social dimensions of globalization in the world of work and to contribute to development and poverty eradication as  major international goals of the 21st century. In the context of globalization, the need to assert and sustain acceptable international labour standards – and their relevance to a global market economy – is gaining increasing recognition, while the importance of creating jobs, securing basic rights at work, enhancing social protection and promoting social dialogue has become globally evident. The ILO’s concerns and the important role of the Organization in addressing them have gained a high profile on the international agenda.

The ILO is hence being called upon to make its values, expertise and experience available to a growing circle of actors, and to connect its work within a broader spectrum of intergovernmental and inter-agency processes worldwide.  The ILO has increasingly sought early strategic involvement in the planning of the global events and conferences and has become a key player in follow-up to the agreements reached and in the implementation of the plans of action formulated.  Through that involvement, it has furthered the development of an integrated and coherent decent work agenda with significant visibility and resonance in the international debate and with widely recognized economic and social implications.  This has required an Office-wide strategy and intensive contacts and regular working relationships with its partner organizations throughout the international community.

Contacts: Headquarters and New York