The global employer community congratulates the newly elected ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo

IOE welcomes the election of the first African Director-General of the International Labour Organization Mr Gilbert Houngbo.

The International Organisation of Employers (IOE) extends its warmest congratulations to the first African ILO Director-General elect, Gilbert Houngbo of Togo.

The Employers’ Group is confident that Mr Houngbo’s extensive experience can give him the leadership skills necessary to tackle the challenges in the world of work, to rebuild confidence in the ILO, and to bring the social partners closer to resolving longstanding issues.

IOE and its global network have worked successfully with Mr Houngbo in the past and look forward to continuing this productive relationship in the future. There are numerous issues requiring urgent attention including productivity and the skills agenda, strengthening transparency and tripartite governance, more staff recruitment of individuals from diverse backgrounds, Centenary Declaration implementation and the modernisation of the supervisory system.

The current global situation demands that the ILO evolve to remain relevant. Strong leadership is required to bring about this evolution. The Employers’ Group stands ready to support the new ILO Director-General in his efforts to meet these challenges and achieve the ambitions set out in the ILO Centenary Declaration.