Labour minister vows support for multilateralism at ILO event

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s longstanding support for multilateralism, calling for collective efforts to strengthen and democratise global labour governance.

He made the pledge while attending the Ministerial Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Group (ASPAG) in the ILO organised by the permanent mission of Bangladesh in Geneva, said a press release.

The Group represents 47 member states from the Arab, Asia, and Pacific regions. The meeting was held on the margins of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Ariful chaired the meeting, while the session was moderated by Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh in Geneva Nahida Sobhan, in her capacity as ASPAG coordinator.

Labour Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder delivered the vote of thanks. The meeting brought together 15 ministers alongside more than 100 delegates from across the Arab, Asia, and Pacific regions.

The director-general of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the regional directors (assistant directors-general) for the Arab states and Asia-Pacific regions addressed the Ministerial.

In his remarks, the labour minister expressed appreciation to ASPAG members for their support and cooperation during Bangladesh’s coordination period. He emphasised that ASPAG is one of the most diverse groupings within the ILO, bringing together countries with different levels of development, economic structures, cultures, and labour market realities.

Despite this diversity, he noted, ASPAG remains united by a shared commitment to promoting decent work, social justice, and inclusive development.

Ambassador Nahida highlighted ASPAG’s unique position within the ILO and noted the Group’s diversity, rooted in both ancient civilisations and contemporary development experiences.

She mentioned that this diversity provides valuable perspectives on labour, development, and the future of work. She also underscored that ASPAG’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths and called upon members to work together under the theme: “Connecting Diversity, Advancing Unity.”

Labour Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder thanked ASPAG members for their friendship, support, and cooperation throughout Bangladesh’s tenure as coordinator.

He stressed that the future of work will be shaped by the collective decisions taken today. He reaffirmed ASPAG’s role as a vital platform for cooperation and collective action in advancing social justice and decent work.

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Representing nearly half of the global workforce, ASPAG remains one of the most influential regional groups within the Organisation.

Bangladesh has been acting as the ILO regional coordinator of this strategically important group for the last one year which culminated in this Ministerial.

ASPAG continues to serve as an important platform for strengthening regional cooperation.