12 December 2012: International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder opened the International High-level Conference on Decent Work with a call to prioritize economic recovery and job creation, including the start-up and growth of sustainable enterprises, especially small and medium-sized companies. The Conference took place in Moscow, Russia, from 11-12 December 2012.

Ryder also identified other policy priorities, including: supporting infrastructure as a source of jobs; extending social protection; and providing job opportunities for youth. He pledged to develop these policy proposals further for the ILO’s Governing Body meeting in March 2013.

The conference drew around 900 high-level representatives from 80 countries to discuss, among other issues, the impact of globalization on labor markets and labor standards.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golagets also spoke at the opening event, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon contributed a written statement. Ban said the creation of decent jobs will be critical for realizing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and should feature in discussions of the post-2015 development agenda, as well as in implementation of the outcome of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20).

An ILO press release on the conference outcome highlights delegates’ agreement on the need for labor standards, and for labor markets to be adaptable to promote inclusive economic growth, while reinforcing respect for rights. Delegates called for a more integrated approach to promote youth employment, including a strategy for growth and jobs, and to improve the business-enabling environment, including social dialogue between government and social partners, and integrating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in local or global value chains. [ILO Director-General’s Speech] [UN Secretary-General’s Message] [ILO Press Release] [Website of Conference]