ILO at HLPF 2025: Decent Work at the Heart of Sustainable Progress
As the global community intensifies efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) stands as the UN’s central stage for evaluating progress. Among the key voices shaping this dialogue is the International Labour Organization (ILO), which is actively participating in the HLPF, held from July 14 to 23 in New York.
The ILO’s presence is a powerful reminder that sustainable development must be rooted in social justice and human dignity. By championing the principle of Decent Work—central to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)—the ILO emphasizes that development is not just about economic numbers but about improving lives, protecting rights, and expanding opportunities for all.
Decent Work goes beyond employment. It means jobs that offer fair wages, safe conditions, social protection, and equal opportunities regardless of gender or background. It ensures people have a voice in shaping policies that affect their livelihoods. When work is dignified, it becomes a foundation for broader progress—lifting people out of poverty, enabling access to healthcare, education, and promoting equality.
The ILO’s participation at the HLPF underscores how essential decent work is to achieving not just SDG 8, but many interconnected goals—such as ending poverty (SDG 1), improving health (SDG 3), advancing education (SDG 4), and achieving gender equality (SDG 5).
By showcasing updates and hosting events during the HLPF, the ILO urges governments, institutions, and communities to integrate Decent Work into their development strategies. As the world races toward 2030, the ILO’s message is clear: no vision of sustainable development is complete without fair, inclusive, and secure work for all.
