Memorandum of Understanding
A future we want through decent work for all
In a major push to achieve inclusive growth, decent work and social protection for all, the Government of Belgium is scaling-up its collaboration with and support for the ILO to meet these critical goals as called for in the UN’s new development agenda.
Belgium, an ILO member State since its creation in 1919 and a key partner of the ILO in promoting the Decent Work Agenda, has ratified a considerable number of ILO Conventions, including the eight fundamental Conventions, the four priority Conventions, as well as 90 of the 177 technical Conventions.
The ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, expressed his “deep appreciation to the Government of Belgium for its high-level political engagement, commitment and leadership on achieving decent work for all”. Mr. Ryder said that this Framework Agreement will provide the political support and resources needed to the implement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Government of Belgium has also placed great importance on partnership development, policy coherence, capacity building, and knowledge sharing as well as the monitoring and reviewing of SDG progress.
Belgium provides key and on-going support for the ILO’s work in Lebanon and Jordan for access by refugees to employment opportunities and livelihoods, and its work with local communities to upgrade value chains and training for Jordanian women on starting businesses.
Continuing support from Belgium is also critical to the ILO’s work on decent work in the Democratic Republic of Congo for youth employability and in South Africa on Sustainable Enterprise Development and job creation through small-medium enterprise (SME) development.
The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has placed decent work for all as one of its main goals (Goal 8) and envisages a world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.