ILO Statement to the TICAD9 Plenary Session on Promoting Trade and Investment

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The International Labour Organization commends TICAD9’s focus on inclusive and sustainable economic transformation.

To truly transform societies, trade and investment must be accompanied by efforts to create decent work for all, support inclusive entrepreneurship, and advance social justice, thereby addressing persistent poverty and inequality.

The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda — rooted in employment creation, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue — remains central to these goals and is at the heart of SDG8.

We underscore the importance of advancing economic reforms that foster private sector growth within a stable and fair environment. Supporting youth and women-led start-ups enable a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem which is essential for economic transformation and social cohesion.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers great promise for inclusive employment. To maximize its benefits, countries must invest in skills, human capital, and formalization, especially for SMEs and the social and solidarity economy.

Lastly, we encourage all partners to engage workers’ and employers’ voices through social dialogue, ensuring that policies and investments reflect real needs and deliver lasting impact.

Thank you so much.