Historically labour and social policy was a matter for debate within the ILO. As the realisation grows that these policy issues cannot be discussed in isolation, and as other UN agencies activities start to include a social policy perspective, the IOE is increasingly working with those other agencies so as to ensure that the voice of employers is heard.


The IOE enjoys category 1 consultative status within the UN family thus providing it with access to the wider forums of debate.


The IOE continues to work directly with the Secretary-General’s Office on the Global Compact. The IOE also continues to be a supporter of the Youth Employment Network (YEN) an inter-agency initiative involving the ILO, World Bank and UN.