2023-12-13 01:00:00
© OIT GENEVA (ILO News) – The key role of employment and decent work in protecting and strengthening the autonomy of refugees and host communities was highlighted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the World Refugee Forum 2023celebrated from December 13 to 15.
The Forum, held every four years, is the largest international meeting on refugees. Its objective is to support the practical application of the objectives established in the Global Compact on Refugees.
By mid-2023 there were 110 million forcibly displaced worldwide, of which 36.4 million were refugees. Forum delegates stressed the importance of addressing the growing global displacement crisis by linking humanitarian actions with a development and peacebuilding approach.
A key outcome of the meeting was a Multilateral Commitment on Economic Inclusion and Social Protection, led by the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative, which brings together Denmark, Germany, Mexico, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the USA and the East African Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). As technical co-convener, the ILO supports Commitment members in creating enabling environments through legal and policy reforms and their implementation.
As part of this multilateral commitment, the Netherlands announced funding of €800 million for the second phase of the Partnership to Improve the Prospects of Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host Communities (PROSPECTS), an innovative partnership which brings together the ILO, UNHCR, UNICEF, the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.
During the high-level event of the Forum, Mia Seppo, Assistant Director-General of the ILO, stressed that the creation of decent jobs must take a comprehensive approach that facilitates market access, business development, financial inclusion, development and recognition of skills, and social protection.
The ILO is also part of the UN family in promoting refugee inclusion and moving away from siled approaches towards coherent action involving 50 UN country teams and 32 agencies. of the United Nations, more than half of which committed to supporting refugees’ access to decent work.
At the high-level launch of UN Common Commitment 2.0, Manuela Tomei, Assistant Director-General of the ILO, underlined the need to improve the inclusion of refugees and ensure that the world of work is inclusive and accessible to all. She placed special emphasis on addressing the unique challenges faced by women, youth and people with disabilities.
At the Forum, the ILO presented PROSPECTS Portraits, Envisioning Change in Host and Refugee Communities. The photo exhibition showcased improved self-reliance and resilience in host and refugee communities, and highlighted the ILO’s work in promoting inclusive socio-economic growth and decent work, while engaging tripartite constituents.
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