All Director-General statements

ECOSOC Special Meeting

Navigating the Future of Work: A call for inclusive and sustainable solutions

In his address to the ECOSOC Special Meeting on “The Future of Work: towards a productive, inclusive and sustainable global society,” ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, explains how advancing decent work and social justice are pivotal to...

WESO Trends 2024

World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024: ILO Director-General’s remarks

While presenting the latest edition of the World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024 to the press, ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo explained how growing inequalities and stagnant productivity are causes for concern.

G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

ILO Director-General’s talking points to the G20 Virtual Leaders’ Summit

349th Session of the ILO Governing Body

Opening address of the ILO Director-General to the 349th session of the Governing Body

ILO Director-General’s statement on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The ILO Director-General has issued a statement on the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians

ICLS Centenary Conference: ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo’s closing remarks

International Monetary Fund Committee

ILO Director-General statement to the International Monetary Fund IMFC

In statements to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, the ILO’s Director-General underlined the importance of helping debt-distressed developing countries to support social protection and decent work.

World Bank Development Committee

ILO Director-General statement to the World Bank Development Committee

In statements to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Annual Meetings, the ILO’s Director-General underlined the importance of helping debt-distressed developing countries to support social protection and decent work.

9th BRICS Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting

ILO Director-General spotlights inequalities and labour market insecurities in speech to BRICS

In his statement delivered at the opening session of the meeting of BRICS nations* in Durban, South Africa, Gilbert F. Houngbo, outlined the economic challenges facing countries worldwide. (*Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa)

Human Rights 75

Social Protection, Sustainable Development, and Right to Development

Statement by ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, at the Human Rights 75 - September Thematic Spotlight Discussion co organized by the ILO and the UN Human Rights Office.

A time for social justice

In his address at Georgetown University in Qatar ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo highlighted the pressing need for global action on social justice amid multiple crises, labour market inequalities, and technological transformations.

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting

ILO Director-general presentation on the Antalya G20 Youth Goal

Findings of the ILO and OECD report on progress in 2022 towards achieving the Antalya target, to reduce the share of young people who are most at risk of being permanently left behind by 15 per cent by 2025.

G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting

ILO Director-general presentation on Global Employment Trends 2023

In his presentation to the G20 Ministers gathered in Indore (India) on 20-21 July, Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the need for creating policy space for decent and productive employment and social protection.

Seafarer 2050 Summit

Keynote address at the Shaping the Future of Shipping – Seafarer 2050 Summit

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted at the Shaping the Future of Shipping – Seafarer 2050 Summit the need for a new global social contract, including for the global maritime industry.

Opening remarks of ILO Director-General at the World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All

Opening remarks by Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General, at the 111th International Labour Conference

ILC.111/Opening address

Opening address by Gilbert F. Houngbo Director-General

Porto Social Forum 2023

ILO Director-General highlights the European social model as a geopolitical lever

Speaking at the Porto Social Forum, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) commended the European Union (EU) for its leading role in promoting international labour standards and the integration of occupational safety and...

ILO Director-General highlights the European social model as a geopolitical lever

Speaking at the Porto Social Forum, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) commended the European Union (EU) for its leading role in promoting international labour standards and the integration of occupational safety and...

15th ETUC Congress

Statement by ILO Director-General to European Trade Union Confederation

ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the urgent need for a Global Coalition for Social Justice and the critical role of the European Trade Unions in championing workers' rights, addressing inequalities, and promoting decent work...