Ethiopia to Host ILO Regional Labour-Based Practitioners Conference

Addis Ababa, May 2, 2025 (ENA) -- Ethiopia will host the 20th International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Conference for Labour-Based Practitioners from May 19 to 23, 2025.

Speaking at a press conference today, Urban and Infrastructure Minister Chaltu Sanni said the participants will include policymakers, employer and worker organizations, labour-based technology experts, and non-governmental organizations as well as academic and research institutions.

 

She added that research papers exploring opportunities and challenges in the sector will be presented and discussed during the conference.

On his part, ILO Country Director Khumbula Ndaba stated that the regional conference is a biennial event organized by ILO African member countries to share knowledge, experiences, and technologies on pro-employment and climate-smart approaches.

The main objectives include facilitating knowledge and experience sharing on state-of-the-art policies and practices related to employment-intensive and climate-smart approaches, promoting mutual learning and networking opportunities, and encouraging South-South cooperation.

 

The conference serves as a platform to promote inclusive socio-economic development and forge a path towards social justice, it was learned.

The country director pointed out that the conference presents many opportunities for Ethiopia, including showcasing its socio-economic development success, providing networking opportunities for social partners and practitioners, marketing Addis Ababa and Ethiopia as a unique tourist destination, and generating business opportunities for local enterprises.

Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU) President Kassahun Folo highlighted that the Employment-Intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) has demonstrated that development can go hand-in-hand with environmental protection, inclusion, and resilience, aligning with trade union values of social justice, equity, and decent work.

 

He stressed the importance of ensuring the creation of green jobs, protecting and making them dignified, involving workers involved in decision-making on projects impacting their environment and livelihoods; just transition for workers affected by climate policies, gender equality, youth inclusion, and informal workers’ rights.

Ethiopia, which has previously hosted a similar event in 2017, was popularly elected in Kigali to host the 20th conference.

This conference is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, the Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA), and the International Labour Organization.