All Director-General statements

International Day of Cooperatives

Cooperatives for a Peaceful World: A message from the ILO Director-General

In his message marking the International Day of Cooperatives 2026, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the vital role of cooperatives in advancing peace through decent work, social justice and resilient communities.

MSME Day 2026

ILO Director-General's message for International Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

In his message for International MSME Day 2026, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the vital role of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises in creating jobs and calls for policies that support entrepreneurship, decent work and...

Video

138 million children in child labour: ILO calls for urgent action

Nearly 138 million children are still in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous work. In this message, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), calls for urgent action to change this reality.

114th Session of the International Labour Conference

Opening address by the ILO Director-General to the International Labour Conference

World day for safety and health at work 2026

Safe work, healthy workplaces: Tackling psychosocial risks at work

On World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the urgent need to improve psychosocial working environments.

World Bank / IMF Spring Meetings 2026

ILO Director-General statement to the World Bank Group Development Committee

Strengthening the foundations: Jobs, rights, and democratic values amid global conflict and uncertainty.

World Bank / IMF Spring Meetings 2026

ILO Director-General statement to the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee

Strengthening the foundations: Jobs, rights, and democratic values amid global conflict and uncertainty.

International Women’s Day 2026

Turning commitments into action for women at work

On International Women’s Day, Gilbert F. Houngbo calls for urgent action to make women’s rights at work a reality everywhere. In this message, the Director-General of the ILO highlights the need to close the gender pay gap, ensure safe workplaces...

World Day of Social Justice

ILO Director-General urges action to shape a just future for all

On World Day of Social Justice, Gilbert F. Houngbo urges action, not just commitments: formalizing work, ensuring living wages, using artificial intelligence for social progress, and implementing the Doha Declaration to build a fair and inclusive...

16 Days of Activism

Protecting women from violence in the digital world of work

On the occasion of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo calls for urgent action to end online violence and harassment against women and girls. He highlights how technology-facilitated abuse is driving women out...

International Day of Care and Support

ILO Director-General urges bold investment in the care economy

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the care sector’s importance to families, communities, and economies, and calls on governments, employers, and workers to invest in quality, accessible care for all.

Second World Summit for Social Development

“Let us renew the promise to promote decent work and social inclusion”

On the eve of the Second World Summit on Social Development, to be held in Doha, Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, calls for joint efforts to renew the commitment made thirty years ago to reduce poverty,...

World Statistics Day 2025

Reliable data as the foundation of democracy and social justice: Statement from the ILO Director-General

World Bank / IMF Annual Meetings

ILO Director-General statement to the joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee

World Bank / IMF Annual Meetings

ILO Director-General statement to the IMF International Monetary and Financial Committee

ILO Director-General’s closing remarks to the 20th American Regional Meeting

ILO Director-General’s opening statement to the 20th American Regional Meeting

G20 Meeting of Ministers of Labour and Employment (LEMM), South Africa

Keynote address by the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo

The G20 Employment Working Group meeting was held under the theme: “Living and Working in an Unequal World: Ensuring Decent Work and Decent Lives”.

International Day of Cooperatives

Cooperatives: Collective solutions for a just and sustainable future

On the International Day of Cooperatives 2025, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the vital role cooperatives play in advancing social justice, decent work, and economic resilience. As the world faces major transitions, cooperatives...

Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

MSMEs: Powering social justice and inclusive growth

On Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day 2025, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlights the crucial role of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in creating jobs and advancing social justice. He calls for bold,...