Accelerating SDG 8: The ILO calls for bold policy shifts at UN High-Level Political Forum

NEW YORK (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for urgent investment in decent work to speed up progress on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), which focuses on inclusive growth, employment, and decent work for all.

At this year’s UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment in New York, the ILO’s role in promoting social justice and decent work was strongly affirmed. Governments and stakeholders backed the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, which is coordinated by the ILO, and renewed commitments to Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, social protection and social dialogue.

The ILO played a key role in shaping the 2025 thematic review of SDG 8, working closely with the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs and UN system partners. The work highlights that global progress in this area remains significantly off track.

Key challenges include widespread informality, poor labour market outcomes for women and youth, and the erosion of workers' rights. However, the review also pointed to promising solutions: pro-employment policies, universal social protection, and just digital and green transitions, as well as approaches to education, training and employment that evolve to workers’ needs over a lifetime.

The ILO-moderated panel, “SDG 8 and interlinkages with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Decent work and economic growth,” was a Forum highlight. It had strong participation and focused on how to build more inclusive and resilient labour markets. Representatives of employers and workers played a central role, reinforcing the importance of tripartite dialogue in advancing decent work.

Beyond the main session, the ILO was active across more than a dozen side-events. These covered key topics such as decent work, care work, gender equality, productivity, and labour market transitions.

In the High-level Segment session on the UN’s 80th anniversary and the role of ECOSOC, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo stressed the importance of aligning the UN’s economic, social and environmental goals and insisted political ambition must result in real-world change.

This year’s Forum reaffirmed that decent work is a cornerstone of sustainable development. As global momentum builds toward the Second World Summit for Social Development scheduled for later this year, the ILO will continue working with partners to turn commitments into results for people worldwide.