Future of Work

The Pacific narrative on the future of work

The symposium marks the occasion of the UN Day for South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) observed annually on the 12th September.

Background

The ILO currently has South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) projects covering 75 countries and additional global activities. They will promote peer-learning activities, training and capacity building, personnel exchange, joint research, fellowships and study-tours between countries of the South. They include Cooperation between Small Islands and Developing States (SIDS-to-SIDS), country-to-country, regional and inter-regional projects.

The projects have been adapted to the current COVID-19 crisis. They included strong and innovative virtual components such as online platforms for exchange, virtual meetings and training. Moreover, they are adapted to address the impacts of COVID-19 on workers, particularly the most vulnerable or those who were hit the hardest, as well as post-COVID-19 recovery strategies towards a better normal through Decent Work.

This Symposium marks the occasion of the UN Day for South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) observed annually on the 12th September.

The Symposium is intended to:

  1. Inform Excellency’s of ILO agenda and work in the Pacific Island Nations (Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, Decent Work Agenda, the South-South Cooperation, current projects);
  2. Have a conversation around changing the narrative for better engagement between the ILO and its Member States. How can the ILO engage closer with Pacific Island Nations and better serve them under the “new normal” shaped by COVID-19?
  3. Widen the circle of engagement between the Member State Embassies and the ILO Office in Suva.
The ILO presently has 11 members states in the Pacific Islands covered from its Suva-based Country Office. They are; Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Of these, 8 members have representative High Commissions based in Suva, Fiji.

Nauru and Federated States of Micronesia are also invited as they have expressed an interest to join the ILO. It is the intentions of the Country Office to engage through this Symposium to share views and solicit advice on new paths, steer directions and engage in a Pacific narrative.

Draft Symposium Agenda:

10.30 am
Welcome: Director Matin Karimli
10.40 am
Presentation: ILO Suva team – Decent Work in Pacific Island Countries
10.50 am
Excellencies’ remarks: 5 minutes each on the Pacific Narrative on the Future of Work – In alphabetical order of member states.
11.40 am
Plenary session: Convener – Matin Karimli