ILO’s Regional Masterclass brings just transition to the core of climate change policies

DOHA (ILO News) - Who gets a say in climate policy? As countries in the Arab States race to meet their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, the role of workers, employers, and labour ministries in shaping these policies is often overlooked. Yet, without them at the table, climate policies and commitments may not capture the full potential and efforts across line-ministries —missing the opportunity to protect jobs, create new green employment, and ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all.

Recognizing this critical gap, the International Labour Organization (ILO), through the South-South and Triangular Cooperation support, convened an in-depth Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Masterclass on Just Transition and Climate Policy Development from 18-20 February in Doha, Qatar. The event brought together representative from the World of Work and climate experts from across the Arab States to explore how social partners can help shape and implement climate policies that are both ambitious both in terms of environmental sustainability and employment creations.

Building Bridges Between Climate and Labour Policies

Global insights show how NDCs, the backbone of national climate strategies, have been drafted with limited engagement from labour ministries, employers and workers. The masterclass aimed to change that. It provided participants with the knowledge, tools and regional connections needed to actively engage in the next cycle of NDC revisions, ensuring that climate policies also deliver social and economic benefits. The masterclass come at a pivotal moment, as most countries have yet not submitted their NDCs, and there is a critical need to push for finalising these plans.

“The transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies are not just an environmental challenge—it’s also labour market transformations,” said Mette Grangaard Lund, Regional Just Transition Specialist for the ILO and one of the organisers of the Regional Masterclass. “By bringing together the World of Work and the Climate Change World we can ensure that climate action creates opportunities rather than leaving people behind.”

The three-day Masterclass culminated with the Partnership Development Session, where participants worked across sectors and countries to identify collaborative solutions for job-rich climate policies. This resulted in two regional initiatives and suggested action points. From developing new research and data to improving policy coordination among ministries, the discussions highlighted the power of regional cooperation in advancing a just transition.

“This Masterclass is the first step to advance the just transition work in the region,” said Khalil Buhazaa, Director of Labour and Social Development Department, Executive Bureau of Council of Ministers of Labour & Social affairs in GCC, and key partner for the Masterclass. “Building the capacity of the World of Work actors, means we are constructive counterparts and partners for the Ministries of Environment and NDC focal points – which is key to successful NDC development and implementation”.

Strengthening South-South Cooperation for Just Transition

The training also emphasized best practices from across the region and beyond, drawing on successful cases of integrating just transition principles into climate action. Participants engaged in peer learning exercises, compared national approaches, and explored ways to leverage South-South cooperation for collective climate action.

As the next round of NDC updates are to be submitted, the masterclass set the stage for stronger collaboration and bolder commitments to a just transition in the Arab States. The ILO remains committed to supporting social partners in advancing a just transition for all.