International conference in Yerevan calls for stronger global commitment to social justice
The Yerevan conference marked another step in advancing the ILO’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, with the Organization reaffirming its commitment to inclusive labour markets and decent work for all.
20 June 2025
YEREVAN (ILO News) – The third International Conference on Social Justice, Uniting for Social Justice, was held on 20 June 2025 in Yerevan, Armenia. Organised by the Government of the Republic of Armenia and supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the event brought together representatives of governments, workers’ and employers’ organisations, civil society and international institutions to advance dialogue on fairness, dignity and inclusion in the world of work.
The conference builds on Armenia’s engagement in the ILO Global Coalition for Social Justice and follows the inaugural editions held in 2023 and 2024. This year’s discussions addressed the challenges and opportunities for promoting social justice in the context of economic transition, digital transformation and global uncertainty.
Opening the event, President of the Republic of Armenia Vahagn Khachaturyan and Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan reaffirmed the country’s commitment to social justice, inclusive development and international cooperation.
Advancing social justice requires concrete steps to reach tangible results for people, especially on human and labour rights, employment, wages and just transitions through social dialogue.
Beate Andrees, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia
Beate Andrees, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, delivered opening remarks on behalf of ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. She commended Armenia’s leadership and stressed the importance of turning commitment into action. “We cannot allow social justice to become a mere slogan,” said Andrees. “Advancing social justice requires concrete steps to reach tangible results for people, especially on human and labour rights, employment, wages and just transitions through social dialogue.”
Andrees also underlined the importance of solidarity and the role of institutions in ensuring access to public goods and promoting decent work and social dialogue. She emphasised that “uniting for social justice” calls for joint efforts by governments, social partners and civil society to shape a fairer and more inclusive world of work.
The conference agenda featured high-level panels on the role of human fraternity in strengthening social justice, global partnerships for inclusive labour markets, decent work for women, youth and persons with disabilities, and the impacts of artificial intelligence on equality and dignity at work.
The event forms part of global efforts to renew momentum around inclusive and rights-based development, ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025. The International Labour Conference, held earlier this month in Geneva, adopted a resolution calling on all member States, in consultation with social partners, to fulfil their responsibility to deliver social justice and social development through a renewed global social contract with a human-centred approach.
