EU Statement - ILO 335th GB - Follow-up to the outcome of the Second World Summit for Social Development

ILO Governing Body, 355^th session 

17 – 27 November 2025

Follow-up to the outcome of the Second World 

Summit for Social Development

GB.355/INS/4

EU statement

Chair,

I speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania[1], Ukraine, the EFTA country Norway, and member of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, align themselves with this statement.

1. First of all, we would like to thank the United Nations and the Government of Qatar for organising the World Social Summit, as well as the co-facilitators Belgium and Morocco for their able steering of the negotiations.

2. We would like to express our strong appreciation for the very positive outcome of the World Social Summit. The Doha Political Declaration successfully captures many of the priorities long championed by the ILO – and the European Union – including decent work for all, strengthened social protection systems, the promotion of fundamental principles and rights at work, and the reinforcement of social dialogue as a cornerstone of inclusive policymaking. 

3. We warmly welcome the breadth and dynamism of the Summit. The rich programme of side events offered a unique platform for sharing concrete experiences from the field. The active involvement of the ILO across the discussions, including the participation of the Director-General, demonstrated the Organization’s leadership and convening power in shaping solutions for a fairer future. The testimonies from workers, employers, governments and civil society reaffirm the global relevance of the ILO’s mandate.

4. We welcome the three-pronged strategic approach presented by the Office as a solid framework for advancing the commitments of the Doha Political Declaration—integrating them into the ILO’s work programme, contributing to the Summit’s institutional follow-up, and strengthening a multilateral system grounded in social justice. To ensure the approach has real impact, we encourage the Office to clarify how it will assist constituents in translating these commitments into concrete country-level results, especially in settings where institutional capacities may be constrained. 

5. We value the proposal for biennial reporting to the Governing Body and would be interested in understanding how the Office plans to develop measurable indicators to track progress and help identify gaps early.

6. To translate the Doha commitments into lasting concrete impact on the ground, implementation should be anchored in clear principles shared by all constituents and supported by appropriate means. 

   1. First, policies must rely on well-functioning and inclusive social dialogue, which enhances ownership, strengthens accountability and improves the effectiveness of solutions proposed by governments. 

   2. Second, greater coherence and cooperation between the development action of the UN system, including the ILO, and that of the international financial institutions is indispensable to ensuring that financing, economic policy and social objectives reinforce each other on the ground. 

   3. Third, the ratification and effective implementation of ILO Conventions remain essential instruments for advancing social justice globally.

7. We emphasise once again the central role of the ILO in the follow-up to the Summit. Its normative authority, expertise and unique tripartite governance make it indispensable to monitoring and supporting the implementation of the Declaration. 

8. Finally, it is essential that social partners be fully involved in the review process, and we count on the ILO to play its convening and facilitation role to ensure their meaningful and effective participation.

9. Thank you, Chair.

[1]North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process