26 February 2010: Addressing a panel discussion on “Achieving and Sustaining an Employment-Based Recovery: US and Global Strategies for Governments, Businesses, Workers and Families,” at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, US, on 26 February 2010, Juan Somavia, International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, highlighted green jobs as a means of addressing the risk of a prolonged jobs crisis with wide social and political repercussions.

He noted the current widespread support to enterprises for new hiring, underlining that this support includes the development of clean energy and green jobs. He stressed the need to “think differently about employment policies for the future,” including by preparing for the global transition to clean energy. In this respect, Somavia stated that “New skills will be needed. New green jobs will emerge.” He highlighted the ILO’s collaboration with global networks of unions and employers and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on policies for greening the economy. [The Address]