Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Governing Body of the International Labour Organization has announced the new Director-General of the organisation.
Gilbert F. Houngbo from Togo was elected as the 11th Director-General and will take office in October 2022.
Houngbo is currently President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
He was elected by the ILO’s Governing Body, comprising representatives of governments, workers, and employers, during their meeting in Geneva, attended by COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli.
Speaking after the election, Houngbo said that he is committed to representing the voices of those who rely on ILO.
“I’m thinking about the four billion people around the world who do not have access to social protection, the 160 million children in child labour, the 1.6 billion people in the informal sector,” Houngo said.
The current Director-General, Guy Ryder, from the United Kingdom has held office since 2012.
The ILO’s Governing Body is composed of 56 titular members (28 Governments, 14 Employers, and 14 Workers) and 66 deputy members (28 Governments, 19 Employers, and 19 Workers).
The Employer and Worker members are elected in their individual capacity.
The organisation was founded in 1919 and has the mandate to promote decent work for all. It has 187 Member States.
The position had attracted five candidates, including Kang Kyung-wha (Republic of Korea), Mthunzi Mdwaba (South Africa), Muriel Pénicaud (France), and Greg Vines from Australia.
African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki has congratulated Houngo for his new role.
It is with great pride that I extend warmest congratulations on behalf of the @_AfricanUnion family, to @GilbertFHoungbo from #Togo, upon his election as Director-General of the @ilo, the first African to hold the post in the history of the Organization. pic.twitter.com/bPKobQOI9h
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