ILO and GCC join forces to advance decent work and sustainable development in the Gulf States

Partnership

ILO and GCC join forces to advance decent work and sustainable development in the Gulf States

The ILO and Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) launched a 2025-2029 plan to tackle labour challenges in the Gulf, focusing on fair wages, gender equality, green jobs, and protections, supporting sustainable development and decent work.

5 November 2024

Mohammad Al Obaidly, Director-General of the GCC Executive Bureau with Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States.

GENEVA (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Council of Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) announced the launch of a comprehensive Plan of Joint Activities for the period 2025-2029. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation and promote the Decent Work Agenda across the GCC region.

The new plan, developed in collaboration between the ILO Regional Office for the Arab States and the GCC Executive Bureau, addresses key priorities and challenges in the world of work.

The plan was signed into force by ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat and Director-General of the GCC Executive Bureau Mohammad Al Obaidly. They expressed their commitment to implementing the joint plan, emphasizing its importance in promoting decent work and sustainable development in the GCC region.

The Plan of Joint Activities, which aligns with the ILO's strategic plans covering the period from 2022 to 2029 and the GCC's strategy for 2024-2029, will see joint development of research and implementation of workshops, seminars, discussions and other activities in a number of key areas of joint concern.

These include new forms of work, resolving labour disputes, future skills forecasting, green jobs and a just transition, gender equality, occupational safety and health, minimum wage systems, prevention of forced labour and trafficking, employment policies and social protections.

The signing event, which took place on the sidelines of the ILO Governing Body's 352nd Session currently underway in Geneva, was also attended by Mr Peter van Rooij, Director of ILO Multilateral Partnerships and Development Cooperation Department (PARTNERSHIPS), Ms Anita Amorim, Head of ILO Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit (PARTNERSHIPS/ESPU), Mr Khalil Bohazza, Director of Labour Affairs at the GCC Executive Bureau and Ms Amera Al-Adba, Emerging & South-South Partnerships Relations Officer (PARTNERHIPS/ESPU).

The joint plan includes initiatives supported by South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), which fosters the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and innovative practices across regions.