Geneva:Bangladesh's newly appointed Permanent Representative to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva, M Riaz Hamidullah, engaged in discussions with International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo on Wednesday. The meeting focused on the post-2030 development agenda, the future of work, and advancing social justice, especially within the Global South context.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussions included reflections on Houngbo's past support and understanding of Bangladesh over the last decade and a half. The talks aimed to guide the ILO's agenda towards creating decent jobs, maintaining labour standards, and ensuring youth employment in large, labour-intensive economies amidst the rise of artificial intelligence and other technological advancements.
Ambassador Hamidullah highlighted the necessity of a just transition in decarbonising supply chains, stressing that this should not compromise workers' well-being, particularly in low-income countries like Bangladesh. He also emphasized the importance of labour reforms to enhance the investment climate and promote inclusive growth.
Furthermore, the Ambassador asserted that a sustainable future requires balancing economic progress with social justice. He presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, on October 27.