ILO Governing Body, 353rd session

10 - 20 March 2025

Draft resolution concerning the “World Social Summit” under the title “Second World Summit for Social Development” for transmission to and possible adoption by the International Labour Conference at its 113th Session (2025)

2. Discussion on the draft resolution

GB.353/ INS/17/1

EU Statement

Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania*, Ukraine, Republic of Moldova and Georgia and the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

1. We thank the Office for preparing a draft resolution, according to the request made by the Tripartite Working Party.
2. We regret that it was not possible to reach agreement among the members of the group on all the points discussed, but we hope that, after listening to the Co-Facilitators of the Summit, it will be easier to find broad common ground based on the messages adopted with unanimous support during our last Governing Body in November.
3. Since we recognize the central role played by the ILO in promoting social justice and decent work for all within the multilateral system, we are ready to work hard to reach an agreement during this Governing Body for transmission to and adoption by the next International Labour Conference at its 113th Session.
4. The resolution should highlight the crucial role that the ILO and its constituents should play in the implementation of the Summit’s outcome as the unique specialized, standard-setting agency giving an equal voice to workers, employers and governments.
5. We welcome the reference to a renewed global social contract with a human-centred approach, even though we would have preferred a reference to a human rights-based approach. Similarly, in paragraph 3b we would have preferred to see a clear reference to human rights in the context of the fundamental principles and rights at work, as labour rights are human rights.
6. Nonetheless, as we recognise the importance of finding consensus, we support the draft resolution as presented.
7. We encourage the Tripartite Working Party to continue its work on the follow-up of the World Social Summit.
8. Finally, we would like to ask the Office what role it considers playing with regard to the next steps of preparation of the Summit.

Thank you Chair.

*North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.