Accountability and Transparency

The International Labour Office (ILO) is committed to openness and transparency in all its operations, activities and decision-making processes. Given its unique tripartite governance structure involving representatives of workers' and employers' organizations as well as governments, the ILO has a long history as an open and transparent organization.

I want to ensure that we continue to enhance our openness and transparency and that our policies and procedures are in line with best practice in this area. In this context, I have introduced in the ILO a number of new measures as well as revised a range of existing rules and procedures including the following:

• creating the function of Ethics Officer to foster a culture of integrity and high ethical standards;
• codifying the ILO's zero tolerance policy to fraud and dishonesty and actively promoting an anti-fraud culture;
• issuing a Public Information Disclosure Policy to ensure that information on ILO policies, strategies and operational activities is available to the widest possible audience.

More detailed information on these and other measures can be found on this webpage.

The introduction of new measures followed a review of good practices in the UN system as well as in other public service environments. While learning from these good practices, the measures were adapted to take account of the ILO's governance structure and institutional culture.

The process of review and change in ILO practices and procedures will be continuous. This is an essential part of my overall commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in the ILO vis-ā-vis governments, employers' and workers' organizations, our partners in the UN system, the development community and the wider public as well as constituting a key element of the knowledge-sharing strategy of the ILO.

April 2008

Juan Somavia, Director-General