GENEVA (ILO News) – Brazilian Representatives of the Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and senior officials of the International Labour Organization (ILO) reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting decent work through South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) during their annual partnership SSTC review meeting at the at ILO headquarters in Geneva.
Brazil has been a leader and co-convener of the Global Coalition for Social Justice and has actively supported the implementation of the “Social Justice for the Global South” programme. The programme, whose pillars include gender equality, fundamental principles and rights at work and social protection, aims to share good practices on the promotion of decent work, with other global south countries, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean and Asia and the Pacific.
The annual meeting provided an opportunity to reinforce the ongoing collaboration between Brazil and the ILO, assess results achieved through joint initiatives, and discuss emerging priorities for cooperation in an evolving global labour market context.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Brazil’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Luiz Marinho, jointly opened the meeting and highlighted the importance of international cooperation and social dialogue in advancing decent work, social justice and inclusive development. The Director-General and the Regional Director, Ana Virginia Moreira, thanked Brazil’s participation in the Coalition, and Minister Marinho noted the importance that the Second National Labour Conference in Brazil accorded to peer-learning between different countries.
A central focus of the discussions was the Brazil–ILO programme on SSTC, which has become one of the most significant examples of development cooperation in the field of labour and employment. Participants reviewed ongoing initiatives supporting labour governance, social dialogue, employment policies, social protection and fundamental principles and rights at work. They also highlighted how these initiatives help to strengthen institutional capacities and promote decent work outcomes in partner countries in Latin America, Africa and other regions. Additionally, they exchanged views on emerging trends, challenges and opportunities for cooperation among developing countries.
Representatives from Ministry of Labour, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the United Nations in Geneva, workers’ and employers’ organizations also took part, reflecting the strong tripartite character that has long underpinned the Brazil–ILO partnership. The meeting was co-moderated by Laura Thompson and Anita Amorim, from the External and Corporate Relations Cluster.
Ambassador Luiza Lopes da Silva, Deputy Director of the ABC, presented an overview of the South-South programme, and discussed evolving approaches to international cooperation in response to global labour market transformations, technological changes and sustainable development challenges. She also examined opportunities to strengthen collaboration among countries of the Global South through the exchange of knowledge, expertise and good practices.
The role of labour institutions in promoting social justice and protecting workers’ rights was also on the agenda. Participants received an update on cooperation between the ILO,Brazil’s Superior Labour Court (Tribunal Superior do Trabalho – TST) and the Labour Prosecution Service (MPT) . The joint work contributed to knowledge-sharing and institutional strengthening on labour justice issues.
Over the years, Brazil has established itself as one of the ILO’s most important partners in South-South cooperation, supporting initiatives that foster social inclusion, strengthen labour market institutions and promote rights at work. The Brazil–ILO partnership contributed to the dissemination of successful public policies and innovative practices in employment, social protection, labour inspection, gender equality, child labour prevention and social dialogue.
The Brazilian Cooperation Agency also reaffirmed its support to the ILO through its various South-South programmes, which have generated US$ 32 million in contributions, making Brazil the tenth largest funding partner of the ILO in 2024. The 13th Annual Review Meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further strengthen cooperation between Brazil and the ILO, continuing to support countries in advancing decent work, reducing inequalities and promoting sustainable and inclusive development through international solidarity and knowledge exchange.