Addis Ababa: The 20th ILO Regional Conference for Labour-based Practitioners in Addis Ababa was a forum where Africa demonstrated its strong commitment to job creation for its citizens, Urban Development and Infrastructure Minister Chaltu Sani said. The regional conference concluded today.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the minister emphasized that the conference provided a pivotal platform for African nations to reaffirm their dedication to tackling employment challenges and exploring new opportunities for economic growth. The conference has also served as a vital space to address the pressing challenges in the labor markets and to align employment strategies with the continent’s broader national development goals, she added.
Chaltu pointed out that the integration of job creation initiatives with social protection, climate resilience, and infrastructure development were key discussion points. The minister further noted that in-depth deliberations took place on inclusive economic policies that are essential in the face of climate change, pandemic, and accelerated urbanization.
On her part, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa, Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa, commended Ethiopia for successfully hosting the landmark event, praising the Ethiopian government for its exceptional organization of the conference which attracted more participants than in the past. The meeting saw the participation of 30 ministers, 2,000 delegates, and representatives from 50 countries.
Kayirangwa stated that the conference played a critical role in fostering dialogue on the future of labor across Africa and helped lay the groundwork for actionable strategies. She also emphasized the significance of the conference in reaffirming Africa’s commitment to sustainable job creation as a cornerstone of economic growth and social development.
On her X message earlier, Fanfan Rwanyindo.K posted that “the 20th Conference for Labour based practitioners is focusing on jobs creation through employment intensive investments in the infrastructure sector. Our host Ethiopia is walking the talk with more than 200K jobs created/every year in big infrastructure and urbanization projects.”
Zambia is elected to host the 21st ILO Africa Regional Meeting, with a focus on advancing the role of work-based professionals across the continent.