Addis Ababa, May 19, 2025 (FMC) – Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, Mr. Tagese Chafo, called for unified African action to tackle employment challenges and advance sustainable development as the 20th ILO Regional Conference for Labor-Based Practitioners opened today at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.
In his opening address, Speaker Tagese underscored the urgent need for collective efforts to build resilient communities and promote inclusive, job-rich economic growth.
The conference, held under the theme “Resilient Communities and Healthy Environment: The Employment-Intensive Infrastructure and Investment Approach (E-I-I-T),” brings together policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to explore innovative solutions to Africa’s socio-economic and environmental challenges.
“Achieving rapid, sustainable, and equitable socio-economic progress demands our unified efforts across Africa,” Tagese stated, emphasizing the importance of joint action to overcome poverty, unemployment, and inequality.
Highlighting Ethiopia’s own development path, he cited successive national plans and broad-based reforms focused on inclusive growth and job creation. He also pointed to flagship initiatives like the Green Legacy, which advance environmental sustainability while expanding essential infrastructure and generating thousands of jobs.
Despite the progress, Speaker Tagese stressed the need for deeper cooperation among African nations to maintain momentum and secure decent work for all. He urged participants to integrate employment-intensive approaches into national development strategies and to continuously adapt policies to shifting socio-economic conditions.
“This conference is a key platform to share experiences, reflect on our progress, and develop practical strategies that will shape Africa’s future,” he noted. “Our shared lessons are critical in building a continent free from poverty and exclusion.”
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Urban and Infrastructure, the Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the conference promotes climate-smart, pro-employment approaches that support South-South cooperation and regional integration.
The opening session was attended by several high-level dignitaries, including Minister of Urban and Infrastructure Chaltu Sani, Minister of Labor and Skills Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, Minister of Planning and Development Fitsum Aseffa, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Africa Regional Director Fanfan Rwanyindo, and African Development Bank Group’s Director of Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development, Dr. Martha Phiri.
Speaker Tagese praised the collaboration between the Ethiopian government, the ILO, and development partners in convening the conference. He encouraged participants to use the opportunity to shape a unified African agenda and officially opened the 20th ILO Regional Conference, expressing hope that its outcomes will lead to the Addis Ababa Declaration—a bold commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous continent.
By Mesafint Brlie