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ILO at RIO+20

United Nations Photo
The ILO has participated in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), held from 20 to 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ahead of this Conference, ILO tripartite constituents (Governments, Employers and Workers) had endorsed a set of nine key messages calling for a stronger coherence between the three pillars of sustainable development and urge the importance of creating more and better employment opportunities while enabling the transition to a green economy.

At the Rio+20 Conference, world leaders, along with participants from governments, the private sector, International organizations, NGOs and other groups, came together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection on an ever more crowded planet. The Rio+20 Outcome Document The future we wantspells out action points such as the need to establish Sustainable Development Goals and mobilize financing for sustainable development, as well as the promotion of sustainable consumption and production.

News

  1. Audio

    BBC interview: ILO Director-General on the transition to a greener economy and the way forward

  2. News item

    Somavia: Decent work is key for a greener economy

    The ILO chief talked about the need for an integrated approach linking the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development at a roundtable during the Rio+20 Conference.

  3. News item

    ILO at Rio+20: Integrate social inclusion and environmental protection

    Speaking at a panel discussion at the Rio+20 summit, the ILO Director-General highlights the role of social policies on the road to a greener economy.

  4. Event

    Green jobs: a chance for youth - UNEP and ILO

    In the run up to the high level discussions of Rio+20 on 20-22 June, UNEP and the ILO organized a joint Rio +20 side event.

  5. Article

    Decent work for sustainable development

    Promoting green and decent jobs - one of the key recommendations defined by the Civil Society Dialogues in Rio de Janeiro.

Watch

  1. A green initiative brightens Bangladesh

Green jobs: the latest report

  1. Joint ILO-UNEP study

    "Working towards sustainable development: Opportunities for decent work and social inclusion in a green economy”

    This report shows that, if accompanied by the right policy mix, a green economy can also create more and better jobs, lift people out of poverty and promote social inclusion. It also demonstrates that employment and social inclusion must be an integral part of any sustainable development strategy.

Events

  1. men construction side

    ILO side event

    Decent Work and Social Protection Floors for Sustainable Development

    This ILO side event will showcase successful experiences of coherent policies and effective programmes linking social protection, employment, economic and environmental issues.

  2. young woman - apprenticeship

    UNEP-ILO side event

    Green Jobs: A chance for youth!

    This side event jointly organized by UNEP and ILO will focus on the question how future generations can be prepared for the transition to a green economy and equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.

  3. Overview

    ILO Full programme for Rio+20

Preparatory work

  1. The ILO has been deeply involved in the preparations to Rio+20. Inputs were provided through statements, panels and side events and submitted through written contributions such as suggestions for the draft outcome document (ILO input to Rio+20).

    Those contributions to the preparatory process of Rio+20 were coordinated by ILO’s Green Jobs Programme. The Programme works towards an environmentally sustainable economic and social development to tackle the two mayor concerns of the 21st century; environmental degradation caused by economic activities and increasing poverty among the growing population. 

    The draft outcome document, which has been negotiated in the past months, reflects many topics closely related to ILO’s main principle, the creation of decent work and social justice for all. Green jobs and social protection are identified as key elements of sustainable development and of a just transition to a green economy.