Resilient supply chains and equitable growth in a changing world of work: Advancing Decent Work through regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific

The theme of the forum aligns to the ILO strategy on decent work in supply chains and key regional roadmaps. The ILO supply chain strategy seeks to promote policy coherence at the national level and among multilateral organizations, international financial institutions, and international trade actors, such as through this policy forum.

The Singapore Statement reaffirms earlier commitments from the Bali Declaration adopted at the 16th ILO Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting. It includes key priorities echoed in the supply chain strategy, notably ensuring “labour protection for all through the promotion of freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining throughout the regions, including for workers in vulnerable situations and workers in the informal economy, as enabling rights for decent work”. It also urged collective action to transition from the informal to the formal economy. Moreover, the Singapore Statement emphasizes the need for national just transition plans to mitigate the effects of climate change while ensuring that these efforts are underpinned by social dialogue and labour rights.

This dovetails with the ASEAN-Japan Economic Co-Creation Vision, which seek to build resilient, green, and technologically advanced supply chains. The aspirations outlined in the Vision document align well with ILO research highlighting enhancements to international trade and the right industrial and employment policies as means to promote formalization. The Vision document also promotes using digital technology to monitor decarbonization efforts and human rights within supply chains, thereby reinforcing the importance of responsible business practices.

ASEAN countries are set to take significant steps toward skills development, industrial growth, and RBC, as highlighted by Malaysia’s proposal for the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025. The forum provides an opportune moment to bring together stakeholders to discuss how formalization and just transitions can be achieved alongside supply chain development. The ASEAN-Japan vision for enhancing local labour conditions and promoting SME growth further supports the need for integrated strategies that focus on human capital development and responsible supply chain management.