UNGA
ILO at the 79th UN General Assembly
The ILO is engaged in a series of events shaping the 79th General Assembly’s work on the global challenges facing the world today.
Summit of the Future
International leaders will convene at the UN Headquarters in New York on 22-23 September to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance highlighted by recent global shocks. As these discussions unfold, the core message of the century-old ILO Constitution resonates more strongly than ever: there can be no universal and lasting peace without social justice. By delivering inclusive, rights-based social contracts that leave no one behind, social unrest, riots, and conflicts can be prevented or their impacts significantly mitigated.
The Summit of the Future Action Days on 20-21 September will provide opportunities for all stakeholders who have played a key role in shaping the Pact for the Future to participate, contribute and catalyse the mobilization essential to the success of the Summit and its follow-up. Thereafter, the Summit will focus on adopting a consensus-driven outcome document titled "A Pact for the Future," which will include the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations.
The ILO will participate in a series of events during the Summit, including co-sponsoring sessions on the Action Days and delivering a statement by the Director-General at the Plenary and Interactive Dialogue Roundtables. The ILO statement will highlight its commitment and dedication to ensuring that social justice, decent work, and inclusive growth are central to global discussions on the future of work and sustainable development. The ILO is also hosting several events, including an exhibition to celebrate the richness of diversity and humanity.
- Empowering Youth for Sustainable Futures: Intergenerational Responsibility and Skills for a Just Transition (20 September live-streamed 15:00 - 16:15 New York time / 19:00 - 20:15 GMT / 21:00-22:15 Geneva time)
- Young Refugees’ Participation, Leadership & Self-Reliance - The Future We Cannot Afford to Ignore (23 September upon registration only)
- Caring for the future: Data and evidence to increase investments in just, equitable and sustainable care economies and societies (23 September, 8:00 - 10:00 New York time / 12:00 - 14:00 GMT / 14:00-16:00 Geneva time, upon registration only)
High level events
International Equal Pay Day
International Equal Pay Day, observed annually on 18 September, underscores the urgent need to close the persistent gender pay gap worldwide. Despite significant progress in the workplace, women continue to earn less than men for work of equal value across various industries, sectors, and regions. This disparity not only perpetuates gender inequality but also reflects it, hindering the full realization of women’s economic and social rights, as well as equitable and sustainable economic growth. To mark this year’s International Equal Pay Day, the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) is organizing a high-level event to spotlight successful policies, initiatives, and tools that are effectively narrowing the gender pay gap.
- Pay of the Future: Solutions to Close the Gender Pay Gap (18 September 5:30 – 7:30 pm ILO office in New York)
UN Private Sector Forum
Hosted annually by the UN Global Compact on behalf of the UN Secretary-General, the UN Private Sector Forum brings the voice of business to the UN by inviting leading CEOs and investors, Heads of State and Government, senior UN leadership and civil society representatives to take part in an interactive discussion and high-level networking opportunity structured around advancing broader UN goals. This year, the UN Private Sector Forum will be held on 23 September and act as an important connection between the private and public sectors, exploring pressing issues and policy barriers impacting sustainability today, as well as opportunities for tomorrow, including SDG acceleration, geopolitical disruption, sustainable finance, and digital transformation.
ILO World Social Protection Report
On 24 September, the ILO will present the latest edition of its World Social Protection Report, titled Universal Social Protection for Climate Action and a Just Transition, during a high-level panel discussion. The event, live-streamed from the UN headquarters in New York, will focus on how policies can drive the structural transformations necessary to support effective climate change mitigation efforts.
- Follow the event live-streamed from UN Headquarters (24 September 13:15 - 14:30 New York time / 17:15 -18:30 GMT / 19:15-20:30 Geneva time)
G20 Second Foreign Ministers Meeting
As announced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, one of the three main priorities of Brazil’s G20 Presidency is to promote the reinvigoration of multilateralism and the reform of global governance institutions. Within this framework, the G20 Second Foreign Ministers Meeting will take place on 25 September and will be open to all UN member and observer states, on the sidelines of the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
ILO takes its social justice message to UN General Assembly