All news: Arab States

From exclusion to employment: A woman’s journey in Lebanon’s construction sector

Oum Metres, a mother of three young boys and one girl, lives in the town of Damour, Lebanon. She shares her journey of stepping into an unconventional role in her community, working in construction and rehabilitation as part of the Damour Irrigation...

Photo essay

Microfinance initiative supports young people, farmers and workers in Lebanon

By providing subsidized loans and training, the ILO supported over 1,550 Lebanese and Syrians, creating jobs and building resilience amid Lebanon's multilevel crisis.

Testimony

Breaking barriers through green employment in Jordan

The inspiring journeys of Samah, Tahani, and Najwa demonstrate how green employment can provide individuals with the tools to improve their lives and contribute to society.

From unemployment to agricultural entrepreneurship in Jordan

Omar's story of how determination and support from the Employment-Intensive Investment Programme transformed him from an unemployed graduate into a thriving entrepreneur, impacting his community through sustainable agriculture and beekeeping.

Social protection

ILO supports Oman in fostering a sustainable and inclusive social health protection system

A conference on health insurance organized by Oman’s Social Protection Fund and Ministry of Health paved the way for building a consensual vision of Oman’s social health protection system.

Women empowerment in Yemen

Ismahan’s journey to success in home appliance maintenance

Ismahan, a mother of three young boys, lives in the small Yemeni village of Al-Sunnah. She shares her inspiring journey of pursuing an unconventional career in her community, working in home appliance maintenance.

Five years of promoting decent work in Iraq: A journey of resilience, partnership and progress

ILO Country Coordinator for Iraq Maha Kattaa reflects of five years of ILO work to strengthen employment, social protection and economic opportunities for towards a sustainable future in Iraq.

"WAEI/WAEIA" Campaign in Jordan promotes a fair, safe, and inclusive work environment

In collaboration with national and development partners, the "WAEI/WAEIA" campaign continues to raise awareness of workers' rights and promote a work environment that supports women in the labour market.

Voices of Syrian youth: Overcoming labour market challenges and building a future

The ILO is working to help Syria’s youth create a brighter and more stable future for themselves through investing in job creation skills, fostering entrepreneurship and advocating for policy reforms.

ILO strengthens development of agricultural organizations and cooperatives in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq

From February 26 to 28, 2025 the ILO worked on strengthening agriculture and cooperative development in Kurdistan and Federal Iraq by enhancing governance, business planning, and economic sustainability.

Human-centred and employment-rich recovery key to building resilient Palestinian labour market, says ILO Regional Director

The ILO Regional Director for Arab States reinforced the UN agency’s support to its emergency employment programme and labour market recovery initiatives during a recent visit to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Video

Solar energy gives power to youths and technical schools through ILO Project in Lebanon

An ongoing initiative provides hands-on training in renewable energy, creating job opportunities and sustainable solutions amid Lebanon’s ongoing crisis.

SOLIFEM Project concludes with regional meeting on formalization, social dialogue, and employability

Regional guidelines adopted to sustain progress across the Southern Neighbourhood.

ILO’s Regional Masterclass brings just transition to the core of climate change policies

The regional masterclass in Doha explored how social partners can work with Ministries of Labour to shape and implement climate policies that are ambitious both in terms of environmental sustainability and employment creation.

News

Empowering graduates with skills to secure sustainable jobs aligned with labour market needs

A graduation ceremony was held for 80 trainees who successfully completed work-based learning programs in Lebanon, conducted with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

ILO report highlights the role of Kuwait’s private sector in a just transition to a low-carbon economy

The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has released a comprehensive report emphasizing the critical role of the private sector in supporting Kuwait’s transition to a...

Press release

Arab States: Unions strategize on shaping a renewed social contract

From 12 to 13 February 2025, trade unions leaders, policy makers, representatives of employers’ organizations and academics discussed opportunities and strategies on shaping a renewed social contract in the Arab region.

Photo Essay

Agricultural infrastructure revamp transforms Lebanon, one greenhouse at a time

ILO-run greenhouse upgrade project supports farmers in boosting productivity and securing livelihoods amid economic challenges.

Crisis response

Rebuilding lives and livelihoods: ILO's response to the 2023 earthquake in Syria

Two years on from the devastating earthquake, the ILO comprehensive, employment-intensive response has addressed both immediate and long-term recovery needs.

Apprenticeship in Yemen

Hilal: A journey from vulnerability to empowerment

One young man’s life is transformed through a vocational apprenticeship project by the ILO and the Social Development Fund, funded by the EU and Sweden, to empower youth amid the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.