The Arab States region, among other regions, faces persistent challenges in eliminating child labour, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy. These challenges have been compounded by the rapid escalation of conflict in the region over the past two years, which has had a severe impact on children and their communities.
In light of this, the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, to be hosted by the Government of Morocco in 2026, offers a pivotal opportunity to take stock of progress, renew commitments, and strengthen global efforts. The ILO Governing Body has endorsed the preparatory process and mandated the convening of regional tripartite consultations across Africa, the Americas, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia (see GB.353/POL/4, paragraphs 12-17). These consultations will engage tripartite stakeholders to ensure that regional priorities and perspectives are central in the global dialogue.
Purpose
The Arab States Regional Tripartite Consultation aims to foster inclusive, evidence-based dialogue among governments, employers' and workers' organizations in the region. The consultation will:
- Discuss key developments at the regional level and their impact on efforts to prevent and eliminate child labour.
- Review broad policy approaches currently adopted in the region, referencing the Durban Call to Action, and take stock of progress, achievements, gaps, and successful experiences.
- Shape a unified regional position to feed into the Sixth Global Conference and reinforce regional ownership and social justice.
- Identify lessons learned, good practices and key areas of concerns that would require more efforts to accelerate progress in addressing child labour in the region.
Through structured regional dialogues and online engagement, the consultation will ensure that the Arab States' priorities, lessons learned, good practices and challenges are captured in the global conference agenda.
Composition
The consultation will bring together:
- Governments: National focal points from Arab States Ministries of Labour.
- Employers: Representatives from national employers' organisations across the region.
- Workers: Representatives from national workers' organisations.
- Observers: UN agencies, civil society organisations, and regional institutions may also be invited to participate in selected sessions.
Tripartite participation will be ensured throughout the consultation, with designated representatives from each group contributing to the discussions and outcomes.
Format and engagement
The consultation will include:
- A survey to feed the consultation with up-to-date data.
- Live sessions via Zoom.
- Online discussion forum.
- A repository of documentation, good practices, and policy materials.
All resources will be hosted on the ITCILO eCampus learning platform.
The sessions will be conducted in Arabic and English, with AI-assisted interpretation to enhance accessibility.
Outcomes
The consultation will culminate in a consolidated document outlining the Arab States' key lessons earned, good practices, and areas of main concerns. This will ensure that the document will serve not only as an official contribution to the Sixth Global Conference on Child Labour, but also as a practical tool to guide the required follow-up support in the region.
