GENEVA (ILO News) - Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with the heads of leading international organizations at the Federal Chancellery. As in the previous year, the ILO, IMF, OECD, World Bank and WTO came to Berlin at the invitation of the Federal Chancellor to discuss important global issues. The African Development Bank (AfDB) was also invited as a special guest to contribute the African perspective, as it had done the day before at the "G20 Compact with Africa" conference in Berlin.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the work of the international organizations:
"In view of the multiple global challenges, cooperation and collaboration based on fair rules are more important than ever. The international organizations are key players in the efforts to preserve and strengthen an international global rules-based order, particularly with regard to the international economic and financial system. They can help us to promote intelligent globalization that gives all states a fair chance of sustainable development. Germany wants to contribute to this cause by promoting global trade, improving economic resilience, supporting the reform of the international financial architecture and strengthening the role of international organizations - we need international organizations to find multilateral solutions to global challenges."
The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo:
"Multiple crises have fuelled an uneven, uncertain employment outlook. We are seeing growing inequalities in labour markets, sluggish employment growth, constraints on labour supply in some regions and sectors, with skills shortages or mismatches in others. These factors are hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
We need a recommitment to decent work and social justice, including safe workplaces, higher wages, investment in training and social protection and representation at work. This would draw more workers back into the labour market, while building stronger, more resilient economies that create jobs and inclusive growth, fuelling a virtuous cycle of shared prosperity."
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, emphasized:
"The global economy has proven resilient to recent shocks, but the recovery remains slow and uneven, with increasing divergence across countries. We need solid macroeconomic fundamentals with little room for policy error. While progress has been made in the fight against inflation, central banks need to remain vigilant and communicate clearly. Fiscal policymakers should build buffers for future shocks. And we need structural reforms to boost labour productivity and safely take advantage of new technologies. In a more shock-prone world, we need more than ever international cooperation with open and fair global trading systems, support for vulnerable countries and collaboration on the green and digital transitions."
The Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, said:
"Climate change is a shared global challenge that can only be effectively addressed through more effective global cooperation. The Climate Club, launched by Germany during its G7 presidency last year, will help accelerate and deepen decarbonization efforts worldwide with better global coordination, especially in energy-intensive industries. More and more countries are joining the Climate Club. Together with the International Energy Agency, with whom we have jointly established the Interim Secretariat of the Climate Club, we look forward to the official presentation of our work program at COP 28. The OECD's Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches, which aims to help maximize the global impact of efforts to reduce carbon emissions worldwide through better data and information sharing, evidence-based mutual learning and inclusive multilateral dialogue, will complement and enrich the important work of the Climate Club."
World Bank Group President Ajay Banga made clear:
"Profound forces are testing our ambition in the fight against poverty - hunger, war, the climate emergency. To improve lives in a time of uncertainty, we need to rethink partnerships and work for change. Our ability to work with Germany and other development partners in a spirit of common cause is a source of strength. Together, we can coordinate global action, catalyse change and multiply impact."
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WHO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasized:
"Trade policy and the WHO are relevant to tackling almost every challenge we are about to discuss today - from fighting inflation to delivering global public goods at low cost, creating better jobs, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation while reducing decarbonization costs, and promoting sustainable development across the African continent. An increasingly multipolar global economy requires a strong and effective multilateral trade regime. Last year, WHO members proved that they can overcome geopolitical differences and achieve results that benefit people and the planet. Governments must continue to deliver results within the WHO framework, both at our 13th Ministerial Conference next February and in the years beyond."
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB),Akinwumi Adesina, said:
"I commend Chancellor Olaf Scholz for convening the Compact with Africa Conference. The African Development Bank remains fully committed to the success of this initiative, in particular by focusing on private sector development in Africa. In order to address climate change and the infrastructure deficit in Africa, as well as to exploit industrial productive capacity, substantial private sector financing needs to be mobilized. As we strive to accelerate economic growth and prosperity for Africa, I look forward to strengthening our strategic partnership with Germany."
