ILO Calls for Urgent Decent Work Investments to Advance SDG 8 at UN Forums

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has issued a compelling call for urgent investment in decent work to catalyze progress on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8)—which aims to ensure inclusive economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all. The appeal came during the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment in New York, where the ILO’s leadership in advancing global social justice was strongly reinforced.

The HLPF, convened under the theme of “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and Eradicating Poverty in Times of Multiple Crises,” served as a critical platform to assess progress on SDG 8 amid rising global inequality, labor market disruptions, and economic uncertainties.

SDG 8 Review Shows Progress Off Track

The ILO played a central role in shaping this year’s thematic review of SDG 8, collaborating with the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and other UN agencies. The review paints a sobering picture: progress on SDG 8 is lagging globally, with multiple structural barriers hindering job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

Key challenges identified in the review include:

• Persistently high levels of informality in labour markets, affecting nearly 60% of the global workforce

• Youth unemployment and poor labour outcomes for women, exacerbated by unequal access to training, care responsibilities, and discrimination

• Erosion of workers’ rights, including threats to freedom of association and collective bargaining in several regions

• Economic shocks, digital transformation, and environmental crises displacing workers and altering labour demand

Yet, despite the troubling trends, the review highlights promising policy solutions:

• Implementation of pro-employment macroeconomic policies

• Expansion of universal social protection systems

• Investments in just digital and green transitions

• Education and lifelong skills training aligned to the evolving needs of workers and economies

Spotlight on the Global Accelerator for Just Transitions

A cornerstone of the ILO’s engagement at the HLPF was the promotion of the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, a flagship initiative coordinated by the ILO to support countries in creating at least 400 million decent jobs and extending social protection to over 4 billion people currently unprotected.

The Global Accelerator received renewed endorsement from multiple governments and development partners. It is increasingly viewed as a key mechanism for aligning employment and social protection goals with climate action, technological transformation, and inclusive economic recovery.

High-Level Panel Reinforces Tripartite Dialogue

One of the forum’s highlights was the ILO-moderated panel discussion: “SDG 8 and interlinkages with other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Decent Work and Economic Growth.”

The event featured strong participation from government ministers, UN officials, and representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations. It focused on building inclusive and resilient labour markets, showcasing successful national strategies and emphasizing the importance of tripartite social dialogue in navigating the transitions needed to meet SDG 8 targets.

The discussion underscored how decent work contributes directly to the realization of multiple SDGs, including:

• SDG 1 (No Poverty)

• SDG 4 (Quality Education)

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

• SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Decent Work in the Broader Sustainable Development Agenda

Beyond the plenary sessions, the ILO was actively involved in more than a dozen side events, contributing thought leadership on a variety of critical themes, including:

• Gender-responsive care systems and the future of care work

• Productivity and formalization in the informal economy

• Youth employment strategies and school-to-work transitions

• Equitable labor market transitions in green and digital economies

These discussions reinforced the message that investments in decent work are not optional—they are foundational to delivering the 2030 Agenda.

A Call for Political Ambition to Translate into Real-World Impact

At the ECOSOC High-Level Segment, which also marked the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo emphasized the urgency of political ambition being matched by action.

“We must align our economic, social, and environmental priorities. Political ambition is not enough—it must translate into results for the billions of workers still living without rights, protections, or fair wages,” Houngbo stated.

He reiterated the ILO’s commitment to ensuring that global financial reforms and development frameworks embed social justice and dignity for all workers.

Toward the Second World Summit for Social Development

The momentum generated at HLPF and ECOSOC is expected to carry into the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2), scheduled to take place later this year in Doha, Qatar. There, global leaders are expected to adopt a renewed Global Social Contract focused on eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting decent work as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive development.

As the world grapples with rising inequality, climate disruption, and digital upheaval, the ILO’s consistent advocacy for people-centered policies and investments continues to offer a hopeful and actionable path forward.