Behind every policy are people, processes and stories worth telling. How were these commitments achieved? Who was involved in shaping them? What negotiations informed their final form? How are they being translated into action, and for whose benefit? These are some of the questions policymakers face daily and that inspired the development of the Just Transition Policy Gateway.
This knowledge platform was launched on the 11th of June, at the occasion of a High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the International Advisory Board of the Key Intervention on Just Transition under the Global Coalition for Social Justice. The launch marks an important milestone in the ILO's efforts to support countries in translating global commitments into practical policies that respond to the needs of workers, enterprises and communities.
"Across the world, governments, workers' and employers' organizations are designing and implementing just transition policies that advance decent work, strengthen social cohesion and support economic transformation," said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. "The social and economic dimensions of these transitions have become indispensable enablers of development pathways that are fair, inclusive and centred on people."
© Alioune Ndiaye @ILO
The Gateway comes at a time of growing policy momentum. Countries are increasingly adopting national frameworks, strategies and roadmaps to invest in skills development, expand social protection, strengthen labour market institutions and enhance social dialogue.
"We need to learn from each other, and in order to learn from each other, we have to share experiences. When we share our experiences, we should share the challenges that allowed us to get to where we have reached. The journey is never smooth. Share experiences. Share the challenges. We can all move forward together", said Hon. Colin Jordan, Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector of Barbados.
Responding to demand for practical examples and implementation support, the platform provides access not only to policy documents but also to the experiences behind them, including lessons learned, challenges encountered and approaches that have helped build consensus and deliver results.
A distinctive feature of the Gateway is its focus on integrated policymaking. It highlights how countries are linking employment, skills, social protection, enterprise development and environmental sustainability, helping stakeholders address environmental, economic and social dimensions together in climate policy.
"We realized there is a need to build the capacity and creating awareness of the employers on just transition. It's a great initiative and I will advise the employers' organisation and all those people who are working in this area to actively and effectively engage with this forum, not only to get the information but also to share their experiences for the benefits of the other", said Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General of Employers' Federation of Pakistan.
"I encourage trade unions, I encourage employers and government institutions to embrace this platform because it is a gateway that opens doors, doors of knowledge, doors of experiences, doors of networks, doors of opportunities in a way that enhances the work on just transition", said Echezonachukwu Prince Asuzu, National Coordinator for Climate Change, Green Jobs and Just Transition of Nigeria Labour Congress.
The initiative, developed by the ILO and ITC/ILO, with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), will support governments and social partners in strengthening their capacity to shape and implement policies through tripartite social dialogue. By 2028, the programme will support stakeholders in at least ten countries in advancing just transition priorities through national policy processes.
The platform also contributes to the objectives of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which has identified just transitions as a key pathway to social justice and sustainable development. Through the Gateway, Coalition members and partners can exchange knowledge, showcase practical experiences and support policy innovation across regions.
A key lesson emerging from the ILO's work is that successful transitions are built through dialogue and cooperation. The platform therefore complements the Call to Action on fostering social dialogue for a just transition, launched at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference in 2024, which encourages governments and social partners to strengthen participation and consensus-building in shaping transition pathways.
In the coming months, the Gateway will include a dedicated Policy Help Desk, providing tailored technical support and connecting users with a growing global community of practice. The service will help countries adapt policy experiences to their national contexts and accelerate the implementation of inclusive and effective transition strategies.
Governments, employers' and workers' organizations and development partners are invited to contribute policies, research and practical experiences to support the platform's continued growth and strengthen collective learning worldwide.
