All Director-General statements

"Towards a Global Social Contract on Migration and Development", 28-30 June 2017, Berlin

ILO Director-General Guy Ryder’s opening speech to the Tenth GFMD Summit Meeting

World Day against Child Labour 2017

"In conflicts and disasters, protect children from child labour"

“Children in areas affected by conflict and disasters are among the most vulnerable. No child must be left behind,” says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in his statement for World Day Against Child Labour.

World Environment Day 2017

A greener future will not be decent by definition, but by design

"Let’s not just mark World Environment Day. Let’s make it a reason to put our political will into action. The future of our jobs, and of our children, relies on it," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

Making workplace policies supportive of all families

"In keeping with the principles of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, no LGBTI worker should be left behind. Today let us stand in solidarity for the rights of LGBTI workers and their families", says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

Guy Ryder addresses the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation

A transcript of the Director-General’s speech delivered at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation: Thematic Session on People-to-People Connectivity, Beijing.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2017

"Accurate data will help to save lives"

"Countries that have good data will be better placed to fulfil their commitment to implement and report on the global plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all under the United Nations 2030 Agenda for...

Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

“Weak outlook for jobs at heart of uncertain global economic prospects”

Despite a mild pick-up compared to last year, global economic growth in 2017 and 2018 is insufficient to start reducing global unemployment, says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in a statement to the International Monetary and Financial Committee.

Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

"Weak outlook for jobs puts development prospects at risk"

Statement by Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, to the World Bank-IMF Development Committee.

Sixty-first session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work

"We bring our decent work mandate to the challenge of making the future of work we want – a future where women’s economic empowerment, gender equality and social justice are features of and drivers for a better world," says ILO Director-General Guy...

World Day of Social Justice

Decent work for social justice

On World Day of Social Justice (20 February), ILO Director-General Guy Ryder underscores the challenge of bridging the social and economic gaps which have arisen as a result of growing inequality.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Enabling policies for persons with disabilities are crucial to achieving SDGs

People with disabilities are the world’s largest minority, says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. However, their right to productive employment and decent work is frequently denied.

International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Everyone needs to be aware of slavery and know how to fight it

"The right to be free of forced labour is both a fundamental labour right, as well as a human right", says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder in his message for International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.

World AIDS Day 2016

Employment is key in the life cycle approach to HIV

"AIDS is not over. With the finish line in sight, we need to keep our foot on the accelerator and reinforce the role of the world of work as a strategic stage in the life cycle approach to HIV," says ILO Director-General Guy Ryder.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Violence against one woman anywhere is a threat to peace everywhere

"Ending violence against women is about guaranteeing the basic rights of women and liberating us all from the ties of prejudice, misogyny and inequality. The path is clear, and the ILO will continue its work until the entire world of work is free...

Address by Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General upon his re-election by the ILO Governing Body for a second five-year term starting in October...

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

The real cost of extreme poverty

Statement of the ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The Future of Work

'Social dialogue is vital to meeting the challenge of the future of work'

ILO Director-General addresses a meeting on the future of work between the Italian government and employers' and workers' organizations at the country's parliament in Rome.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

Inclusive growth and development founded on decent work for all

Statement by Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, to the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the 2016 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and the IMF.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

Decent Work key to reducing poverty and inequality

Statement by Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, to the Development Committee of the 2016 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and the IMF.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the IMF

Inclusive growth and development founded on decent work for all (PDF)

Statement by Guy Ryder, ILO Director-General, to the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the 2016 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank and the IMF.