The International Labour Organization (ILO) will convene its annual International Labour Conference (ILC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from June 2 to 13, 2025. The event will bring together representatives of governments, employers, and workers from the ILO’s 187 Member States to deliberate on key issues affecting the global labor landscape.
This year’s conference will focus on several pressing matters, including the potential development of new international standards for protecting workers from biological hazards in the workplace. The agenda also includes discussions on decent work conditions within the growing platform economy, as well as strategies for facilitating transitions from informal employment to formalized labor systems.
The ILC will also examine the ILO’s role in contributing to the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025. Delegates will provide tripartite input encompassing perspectives from governments, employers, and workers to shape the organization’s involvement in the summit and ensure that labor considerations are prominently addressed.
In addition, amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention will be reviewed following their adoption at the fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee held in April 2025. These proposed changes aim to enhance protections for seafarers and ensure alignment with evolving maritime employment practices.
Key administrative matters will also be on the table. Delegates will consider the Chairperson of the Governing Body’s report, as well as the Director-General’s report. Among the issues highlighted in these documents is the ongoing situation of workers in the occupied Arab territories a topic that remains a point of international concern and a regular feature in the ILC’s annual discussions.
The Draft Programme and Budget for the 2026–2027 biennium will be presented and debated, offering participants an opportunity to influence the strategic and financial direction of the ILO for the next two years. These proposals will be critical in defining the scope and scale of the organization’s initiatives in the coming period.
On June 12, the second edition of the Global Coalition for Social Justice Annual Forum will take place as a side event to the ILC. The forum will convene coalition partners alongside accredited tripartite delegations, serving as a platform for collaboration and dialogue aimed at advancing global social justice objectives. This gathering underscores the ILO’s commitment to fostering inclusive policy solutions and reinforcing its mandate of promoting decent work for all. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.