co-led by the ILO, OECD, and UN Women - marked International Equal Pay Day 2025 with a high-level debate in New York on 18 September. Governments, employers, workers, UN agencies, civil society and academia joined to explore practical steps to close the gender pay gap.
Opening the event, Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Special Representative to the UN, recalled that - as a co-leader of EPIC - the ILO's normative compass is clear: equal pay for work of equal value is embedded in the ILO Constitution, enshrined in Convention No. 100, and recognized as a fundamental principle and right at work. She noted that the gender pay gap remains stubborn, while the world of work is changing rapidly.
She warned that digitalization and AI could either advance or undermine fairness. "Our shared task is to seize the opportunities and govern the risks so that technology serves pay equity rather than undermines it," she said.
© UN Women/Marie Berg
In keynote remarks, Maíra Lacerda, Chair of EPIC (Brazil), highlighted the Coalition's growth to more than 70 members and its inclusion in the ILO's Global Coalition for Social Justice. She noted new momentum from Brazil's G20 presidency, where countries were urged to prioritize equal pay policies and join EPIC. "The Coalition grows stronger with every new member," she said, inviting broader engagement.
Moderated by Bathylle Missika (OECD Development Centre), the debate featured Shea Gopaul (International Organization of Employers) and Paola Simonetti (International Trade Union Confederation) in a lively exchange between employer and worker perspectives. Topics included equal pay, labour-market priorities, unpaid care, AI, and the future of equitable pay systems. Contributions came from Sara Falcão Casaca (ISEG Lisbon), Lara Tameme (Ministry of Labour, Jordan), Rakesh Patry (Canada), Vidir Ragnarsson (PayAnalytics), and David Joyce (ICTU).
The discussion recalled that in 2019, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 18 September as International Equal Pay Day. The resolution called for sustained and coordinated action by governments and social partners.
Closing the event, Seemin Qayum (UN Women) stressed that bridging the gender pay gap is essential to women's economic empowerment. She emphasized that progress is possible when policy, social dialogue and technology align.
