EU statement

ILO Governing Body, 349^th session - Update on the Global Coalition for Social Justice

Geneva, 1^st November 2023

Chair,

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

We align with the Government Group and the IMEC statement.

The Candidate Countries Albania*, the Republic of North Macedonia*, Moldova, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Türkiye, Ukraine, the EFTA countries of Norway and Iceland, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Armenia align themselves with this statement.

1. We thank the Office for the transparent and inclusive process during Governing Body discussions and informal tripartite consultations that culminated in this well-structured report.
2. The European Union and its Member States would like to express their strong support for the Global Coalition for Social Justice and its ambition. There is an urgent need for social justice worldwide and the ILO is the organisation best placed, by virtue of its constitutional mandate, to infuse social justice and ILO values and principles into the broader multilateral system and beyond.
3. The pandemic, geopolitical instability, inflation, and climate hazards have halted progress in global sustainable development and the 2030 Agenda. The SDG Summit in New York last September reinvigorated efforts, with clear commitments to 'Our Common Agenda' and transformative actions like the SDG stimulus plan. Momentum continues towards the 'Summit of the Future' in 2024 and the 'World Social Summit' in 2025, for which we look forward to a decision on the modalities
4. At the last International Labour Conference, the “Social Justice for All” Summit highlighted the need to prioritize social justice at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
5. We agree that the Coalition should be a platform to generate increased commitments and investment from multilateral cooperation and partnerships, advancing social justice where the realisation of the ILO’s mandate requires greater solidarity and coordination with other partners.
6. On the EU level, we collaboratively promote social justice, for example under the European Pillar of Social Rights and its action plan. This encompasses decent work, social protection, essential services, healthcare, and housing, adopting a multi-dimensional approach to social justice. The EU actively promotes the social dimension through its external action, including the Global Gateway strategy and initiatives addressing inequalities, like the Inequality Marker. Several EU Member States have also pledged financial support for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, aligning with one of the Coalition's initial priorities.
7. The EU and its Member States commend the Office for its coherent approach to labour market governance through tripartism, social dialogue, and international labour standards. We appreciate the focus on enhanced visibility and engagement of social partners with other UN organizations partnering in the Coalition.
8. We welcome that the Coalition will not operate as an independent institutional entity, nor will it duplicate the governance or decision-making processes but rather will act by leveraging existing structures and activities such as for example the Global Accelerator. We encourage the Office to be mindful of not creating overlapping structures but rather continue to make use of synergies.
9. We value the voluntary partnership in the Coalition, which avoids creating new obligations, including reporting, and builds on partners' own or joint initiatives to advance social justice.
10. Regarding governance, a balance has been struck, ensuring both ILO tripartite ownership and openness and flexibility to attract partners, including the WTO and International Financial Institutions. The secretariat's integration into the ILO is reassuring.
11. We support the establishment of the Coordinating Group, which will help enhance coordination and collaboration among Coalition partners, thereby promoting the exchange of knowledge, experiences, good practices, tools, data and information.
12. Regarding the thematic development, we concur that, regardless of partners' activities, the Coalition's scope will be rooted in the ILO’s values and normative mandate, as in the Decent Work Agenda, including fundamental principles and rights at work.
13. The initial priorities are a starting point for defining the Coalition's field of action.
14. The Annual Forum will be a good opportunity to stimulate exchanges and lessons learned to advance the Coalition’s objectives.
15. Regarding resources, we are reassured the Coalition aligns with ILO priorities. Its activities will significantly aid the programme and budget implementation, amplifying its impact.
16. With these considerations, we support the decision point and look forward to updates on the Coalition’s launch.

Thank you, Chair.