ILO Governing Body, 350^th session: 4 – 14 March 2024

Proposed arrangements for the ILO regional meetings to be held during the trial period

EU statement

Geneva, 6 March 2024

Chair,

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

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

1. We would like to thank the Office for the document submitted to us today, the quality of which reflects all the necessary attention it gave to the constituents to express their views during the consultations.
2. We welcome the proposal to launch a new cycle of regional meetings, the objective of which remains unchanged. The reduction in duration from four to three days and the flexibility offered to regional constituents are important steps forward.
3. It is also important that these meetings focus on the adoption of conclusions, which should not exceed three pages. We note that the organization of drafting group sessions should avoid late meetings. This should be the rule for all meetings within the Organization.
4. We are also satisfied with the maintenance of the Credentials Committee, which is a guarantor of tripartism.
5. We are in favour of maintaining the regional follow-up mechanism of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy.
6. Concerning the proposed calendar of regional meetings for the trial period, December 2025 could be appropriate if preparations begin as soon as possible. We support the new cycle taking place as set out in the Office document GB.350/INS/7.
7. We also support an evaluation to be submitted to the Governing Body in 2029.
8. Finally, gender parity within delegations is a fundamental point.
9. Chair, with this, we support the point for decision.

Thank you, Chair.