The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the European Commission agreed in Brussels on 9 July 2026 to strengthen their cooperation to ensure that major global transitions deliver more and better jobs, stronger labor market institutions and greater social cohesion, according to a press release by the ILO. The commitment was reached during the 17th High-level meeting between the two institutions. The partners reaffirmed their strategic partnership and endorsed a renewed agenda on social justice, decent work and a human-centered future of work. They also identified strategic priorities to guide the next phase of the EU-ILO partnership. The meeting brought together senior representatives from both institutions.
The gathering took place amid heightened geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, climate change and rapid technological transformation. Against this backdrop, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to multilateralism, international labor standards and decent work. The dialogue built on the 2021 Exchange of Letters between the European Commission and the ILO. That framework has guided cooperation between the two institutions in recent years. The 17th High-level meeting looked ahead to a renewed cooperation agenda capable of responding to today’s global challenges.
The meeting was co-chaired by Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the ILO, and Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness at the European Commission. Discussions drew on the conclusions of three roundtables held ahead of the High-level segment. The first roundtable on quality jobs and AI emphasized that AI governance in the world of work must be human-centered. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation on AI governance, skills development and labor market institutions. Participants stressed that such institutions must be capable of managing technological change fairly.
On trade and decent work, participants reaffirmed that trade upholding international labor standards can contribute to better working conditions and sustainable economic development. They underlined the value of aligning the European Union’s trade and investment instruments with the ILO’s normative authority. The third roundtable, on international partnerships, discussed the comparative advantage of closer EU-ILO cooperation in addressing global development challenges.
“The European Commission is a key partner for advancing social justice both within and outside the European Union,” the ILO Director-General said.
He added that the partnership must continue to translate shared values into concrete action expanding access to decent work.
The Executive Vice-President of the Commission stressed that the EU-ILO partnership matters more than ever in an increasingly challenging multilateral context. She noted that social justice, decent work and fundamental rights at work are the foundation of resilient and competitive societies. She also emphasized that the twin transition must be a fair transition, with quality jobs and strong social dialogue. The meeting confirmed the enduring importance of the EU-ILO partnership in addressing global labor market challenges. It reaffirmed both partners’ shared conviction that multilateral cooperation remains essential for building more inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies.
