(111stILC Plenary Session, June16, 2023)

Thank you, Mr. President!

Distinguished delegates of the 111st International Labour Conference,Director-General Mr. Gilbert Houngbo, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have the great honor to speak on behalf of ASPAG. At the outset, I would like to commend the able leadership of the Chair of the General Discussion Committee and the concerted efforts of all delegates in the Committee to reach consensus through respectful, faithful and inclusive social dialogue. I alsothank the Office and all technical staff as well as the interpreters behind the scene for their important assistance to the work of the Committee.

Given the challenges and opportunities in the fast-evolving world of work, we believe a just transition is imperative to achieving social justice, decent work and poverty alleviation. Meanwhile, it is key to tackling environmental degradation and climate change which have become severe challenges for all member states, in particular, the least developed countries and small island developing states. We appreciate the placement of just transition on the agenda of this ILC which enables the tripartite constituents all over the world to have an in-depth conversation on this critical topic. In the past two weeks, we were proud to witnessthat governments, employers and workers are in solidarity to articulate the urgent call for just transition and reaffirm their support for ILO to take a leadership role in this regard within the multilateral system.

ASPAG strongly supports the adoption of this Resolution on Just Transition and encouragesthis Organization to take full advantage of its normative function, unique tripartite structure and expertise to address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead of us. We also support ILO to strengthen the policy coherence and cooperation with all stakeholders including the UN Development System, international financial institutions, regional organizations and development partners to promote a just transition jointly with advancing social justice and realizing 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. We are glad to see the progress achieved by ILO so far to support constituents in this area by means of knowledge sharing, technical assistance, capacity building and development cooperation including South-South cooperation and Triangular cooperation. Specifically, we welcome concrete outcomes such as the Guidelines for a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All as a result of the tripartite meeting of experts as well as the Climate Action for Jobs Initiative which is spearheaded by ILO.

Mr. President! Standing at this crucial juncture, ASPAG would like to renew its commitment to engage with all the delegates of the ILC and continue this pivotal discussion in pursuit of developing a comprehensive and strategic vision on a just transition. A human-centered approach could properly inform and facilitate industrial policy making, job creation, technology and skills development at the national level. ASPAG firmly believes that it is the common aspiration of all member states to build a world of work in the future for all based on environmental, economic and social sustainability through the effective implementation of this Resolution and its impactful delivery by ILO in the years to come.

I thank you, Mr. President!