The Government of China and the International Labour Organization (ILO) signed an amendment to a long-standing South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) agreement on 9 December in Beijing. The Partnership Agreement, first established in 2008 and supported by a total contribution of 5 million United States dollars from China, underscores the country's leading role in advancing SSTC and its continued support for promoting decent work and social justice across partner countries.
The amendment would allow activities to be implemented across ASEAN Member States through continued cooperation with existing partner countries, Lao PDR and Cambodia, and a new focus on Indonesia. The amendment will broaden the project's outreach and visibility, expand the skills development network, promote regional knowledge and skills sharing, and enhance South-South Cooperation.
The Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo, participated in the signing ceremony alongside the Minister of Human Resources and Social Security. The DG commended the significant contributions made by China through this SSTC partnership and highlighted the importance of continued cooperation.
For years, China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) has been a central partner in collaboration with emerging economies, sharing practical experience in skills development, employment promotion and social protection. These efforts have generated tangible benefits for countries across Asia and the Pacific and Africa.
The Partnership was designed to strengthen South-South Cooperation within the broader context of the Belt and Road Initiative. Under this framework, the ILO and MOHRSS jointly launched the the ILO-China Partnership Project on Strengthening Skills Development in ASEAN through South-South and Triangular Cooperation, later expanded to support skills advancement in additional ASEAN Member States.
The project aims to boost employability and entrepreneurship by strengthening skills systems, improving employment services and building institutional capacity in training centres. Backed by a previous contribution of 4 million USD from MOHRSS, the initiative has supported ASEAN partners in developing skills laws, regulations and mechanisms for mutual skills recognition.
A major milestone of the cooperation is the Skills Development Network, established in 2021. The network now connects 41 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutes from China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, creating a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration and broader regional impact.
The newly signed amendment to the Partnership Agreement will contribute an additional 1 million USD to support the Skills for Dream Action under the Belt and Road Initiative framework. This renewed commitment is expected to reinforce regional efforts to enhance skills development and expand access to quality employment opportunities.
