Media Statement
14 June 2023
President Ramaphosa to participate in ILO World of Work Summit in Geneva
President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, Wednesday, 14 June 2023, arrived in Geneva, Switzerland on a Working Visit to participate in the World of Work Summit, hosted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The two-day Summit, between the 14th and 15 June 2023, is taking place on the margins of the 111th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).
The ILO is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) which aims to promote social justice and decent working conditions for all.
Themed “Social Justice for All”, the Summit is convened by ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo.
Endorsed by the ILO Governing Body during its 347th Session in March 2023, this high-level forum will address the need for increased, coordinated, and coherent action in support of social justice.
The objective is the creation of a Global Coalition for Social Justice (the Coalition), which reflects the ILO DG Gilbert Houngbo’s vision for the organisation in light of the many challenges facing the world today, including stagflation, climate change, poverty, unemployment, and inequalities.
South Africa’s participation in the Summit aims to help shape the Coalition and ensure the interests and aspirations of developing countries are considered.
Over the course of two days, the Summit will feature addresses by Heads of State and Government, the UN Secretary-General, the ILO Director-General and other high-level representatives of employers’ and workers’ organisations.
It is envisaged that the Summit will:
- Highlight the key role of social justice in creating a more sustainable and equitable world and will discuss strategies for increased and better-aligned joint action to advance social justice and ensure policy coherence.
- Provide a forum for participants to share their vision of, and priorities for, social justice; as well as showcase the actions they are taking and the actions they commit to taking to advance social justice.
- Contribute to informing discussions in other multilateral forums regarding the centrality of social justice and strategies for achieving greater social justice.
President Ramaphosa will be accompanied by Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi and senior officials.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Ramaphosa – +27 82 835 6315
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria