ILO Governing Body - Mid-term review of the ILO Development Cooperation Strategy (2020–25)

ILO Governing Body, 347th session

13 – 23 March 2023

Mid-term review of the ILO Development Cooperation Strategy (2020–25)

GB.347/POL/3

EU statement

Chair,

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

The Candidate Countries* Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Türkiye, the potential candidate country  Georgia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

1. The EU and its MS thank the Office for the prepared detailed mid-term review of the ILO Development Cooperation Strategy and its implementation plan in line with the GB decision taken at its 340^th Session. The EU welcomes strengthened cooperation between the ILO and the World Bank Group on this strategy. In this regard, we welcome the attendance of the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation, Mr. Diop, at the discussions on this important topic.
2. As an essential partner in the ILO's development cooperation, the EU and its Member States are attentive and demanding stakeholders on this subject, which is essential for the effective fulfilment of the ILO's mandate, particularly in the ILO Member States where decent work deficits are the greatest in order to reach the goals of the 2030 Agenda. 
3. We note that positive results have been achieved in the four pillars of the Strategy. However, the mid-term review shows that a lot still has to be done, in order to meet the objectives of the Strategy. We therefore encourage the ILO to better highlight the areas for action where the need for further progress is identified to allow the ILO Member States, in particular partners such as the EU who are investing a lot of resources in this domain, to assess the progress made at the next discussion.
4. Whilst observing strengthened constituents’ ownership, we reiterate the importance of further work in this regard, including for mainstreaming social dialogue across ILO policy outcomes and in Decent Work Country Programs and projects. The capacity development and involvement of constituents in project design and implementation should be further enhanced.
5. We welcome the information presented in the review that consistent efforts have been made to promote the regular budget supplementary account (RBSA) modalities with funding partners. Nevertheless, the mid-term review shows that further expansion and diversification of voluntary funding sources and partnerships is needed.
6. We emphasize the need for accelerated efforts to end child labour and forced labour, and ensure decent work opportunities and adequate social protection. Therefore, we positively note the fact that these areas were among the most funded in 2020-2022.
7. The EU and its MS underline the importance of fostering partnerships for policy coherence and in particular multi-stakeholder partnerships. In this regard we point out the important role of Alliance 8.7, South-South and triangular cooperation, as well as regional initiatives. We welcome cooperation with the World Bank and strongly emphasize the need for increased collaboration with international financial institutions, in particular IMF. Increased focus on decent work in supply chains, including through enhanced cooperation with private and non-State actors is also crucial.
8. With a view to strengthening the DC, further attention should be paid to enhancing ILO services for constituents on policy and financing, as well as to the Integrated National Financing Frameworks and the UNSDCFs to support full and productive employment and decent work for all.
9. It is vital to ensure a more systematic integration of environmental and social sustainability, including protection against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and accountability to end-beneficiaries into the design, implementation, monitoring and risk management of ILO activities. We underline the importance of the implementation of the ILO Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework.
10. When considering future steps, efforts should be directed towards the identified areas in the mid-term review that require further actions with a view to accelerating progress in all four pillars of the strategy, whilst implementing also a more systematic “One ILO” approach and strengthening the capacity on country level.
11. Chair, with regard to the aforesaid, we consider important the decision point to provide a clear guidance. Therefore, we suggest the draft decision to read as follows:

“The Governing Body took note of the mid-term review of the ILO Development Cooperation Strategy 2020–25 and its implementation plan contained in document GB.347/POL/3 and requested the Director-General to consider the Governing Body’s guidance for stepping up efforts in the next phase of the Strategy and its implementation plan in areas for action where the need for further progress is identified.”

We look forward to hearing the views of the other groups on this.

Thank you, Chair.

 

[*Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.]