BERLIN (Nouvelles de l’OIT) - Dans un communiqué conjoint publié avant le prochain sommet du G20 à Cannes les 3 et 4 novembre, la Chancelière fédérale d'Allemagne, Angela Merkel, ainsi que les dirigeants de cinq organisations internationales, parmi lesquels le Directeur général de l'OIT, Juan Somavia, appellent à accroître les efforts internationaux afin de rétablir la confiance dans l'économie mondiale et à mettre en oeuvre les politiques structurelles nécessaires afin de prendre le chemin d'une croissance forte, durable et équilibrée.

Le communiqué conjoint (ci-dessous) mentionne également la nécessité de disposer de politiques macroéconomiques adéquates pour accompagner les efforts visant à améliorer la situation de l'emploi en se basant sur l'Agenda de l'OIT pour le travail décent ainsi que sur le Pacte mondial pour l'emploi. Le texte mentionne également que la stimulation de l'investissement productif au sein des entreprises de l'économie réelle qui génèrent des emplois doit devenir une priorité politique centrale.

La Chancelière fédérale d'Allemagne Angela Merkel, le secrétaire général de l'OCDE Angel Gurria, le Directeur général de l'OMC Pascal Lamy, le Directeur général de l'OIT Juan Somavia , la Directrice générale du FMI Christine Lagarde ainsi que le Président de la Banque mondiale Robert B. Zoellick se félicitent également des conclusions du sommet des ministres du Travail et de l'Emploi du G20 estimant qu'elles constituent une contribution importante à la création de nouveaux emplois et au renforcement de la protection sociale.

Communiqué conjoint de la Chancelière d’Allemagne Angela Merkel, du Secrétaire général de l'OCDE Angel Gurría, du Directeur général de l'OMC, Pascal Lamy, du Directeur général de l’OIT Juan Somavia, de la Directrice générale du FMI, Christine Lagarde et du Président du Groupe Banque Mondiale, Robert B. Zoellick à l'occasion de leur réunion sur la 6 Octobre 2011 à Berlin

Still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis the global economy is experiencing growth but may now be entering a new and more dangerous phase. According to IMF forecasts, the world economy is going to grow by just 4% in 2011 and 2012. There are developments that threaten the sustainability of growth and give rise to serious concern. Joblessness will remain high, with 20 million jobs still missing in the G20 countries to regain the pre-crisis employment rate. Moreover, debt levels have risen dramatically in many countries as a direct consequence of the recession following the crisis, but also of unprecedented support of the financial sector as well as the fiscal stimulus efforts by governments to revive growth and employment. As a result, trust in and by financial markets as well as in fiscal sustainability have been undermined significantly.

To restore confidence and to improve growth and employment perspectives, strong measures are needed to ensure fiscal consolidation coupled with structural reforms. Policy action will need to maximise synergies between macroeconomic and structural instruments. It is crucial to coordinate these efforts internationally. The G20 has established itself as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. We welcome the ambitious agenda on world economy issues drafted for the G20 Cannes Summit and hope that promises will be followed by action and results.

This cooperation is being complemented by other institutional linkages through national governments, international organizations and other stakeholders. We welcome that the five international organizations – the IMF, the World Bank, the ILO, the OECD and the WTO -- have strengthened their cooperation and that they continue to do so in support of a more sustainable and inclusive economy, in particular in the following areas:

1- We welcome the progress achieved in addressing the financial crisis. Extraordinary fiscal stimulus policies have prevented economies from deteriorating further. As debt levels have risen, primary emphasis should be given to credible medium- to long-term consolidation policies, e.g. “debt brakes”, while being careful about not affecting middle-term growth perspectives and pursuing structural reforms to boost growth and jobs.

2- Sound macroeconomic policies have to go hand in hand with endeavours to increase employment, drawing on the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and on its Global Jobs Pact approach adopted at the ILO International Labour Conference of 2009. Stimulating productive investment in job-generating enterprises of the real economy is a priority. We welcome the outcomes of the most recent G20 Employment and Labour Ministers’ meeting, which we see as an important contribution to the creation of new jobs and the reinforcement of social protection. 

3- We are convinced that trade has an important role in fostering global growth and employment. Given the current economic environment, it is crucial that countries continue to resist protectionist pressures. We regret that the WTO Doha Round has not yet led to success. Beyond the positive economic growth impact, multilateral trade opening remains important as a means of ensuring fair competition, preventing trade distortions and creating new market opportunities, especially for developing countries. The G20 Summit in Cannes should give a fresh political signal with a view to a successful WTO ministerial conference in December. We believe that a clear roadmap for concrete deliverables in trade opening and rule-making in 2012 is needed.

4- As another lesson of the crisis, we are considering to expand our traditional concepts of growth. GDP, as the main indicator of economic development, could be complemented by including appropriate social, employment and environmental aspects, addressing the well-being of people in a more comprehensive manner. The Stiglitz Commission as well as the German and French Councils of Economic Advisors have delivered some fundamental ideas for this approach. We welcome the report prepared by OECD in collaboration with WTO, ILO, IMF and World Bank on “Measuring Material Wellbeing in a Globalized World” and look forward to discussions on the paper prepared by the OECD in collaboration with the WTO and the ILO on fostering inclusive growth.

5- Climate change and the protection of natural resources remains one of the main challenges of our time. These challenges could also become an opportunity for growth. The potential for low carbon development and green growth needs to be realized by targeted action in developed and developing countries. All international organisations are committed to promote and work together on green growth. We are working towards a successful COP in Durban and will further promote low-carbon development strategies.

6- The revolution in the Middle East and North Africa reflect the peoples’ wish for more freedom, opportunity and the rule of law. While each country must find its own path for change, the success of the transformation process will require strengthened governance, growth with inclusion, a well-functioning market economy, good education and job opportunities. We are ready to support the countries by numerous initiatives and programmes, helping them to build accountable institutions, and providing greater market access.

To bring the global economy to a strong, sustainable, and balanced growth path in the long run, international cooperation has to be more and more based on a common sound understanding and policy towards globalisation. Therefore, the trust-based dialogue between developed and developing countries will have to be continued. By further intensifying cooperation between themselves as well as with governments, the IMF, the World Bank, the ILO, the OECD and the WTO will continue to be valuable partners for governments in the different areas of a modern globalisation policy.