Brazil and ILO announce new project to boost the fostering of fundamental labor rights and principles among Latin American and African countries

Brasilia, March 16, 2023 - The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE), and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Office in Brazil announced a new South-South Cooperation (SSC) project to foster the systematization and exchange of experiences between Latin American and African countries in the field of fundamental labor principles and rights, especially the promotion of health and safety at work and the fight against discrimination and child labor.

The new project entitled "Consolidation of the Brazil-ILO South-South Cooperation Program for the Promotion of Fundamental Labor Rights and Principles" has a total budget of 4 million dollars and is expected to last from March 2023 to December 2026. The initiative is emblematic as it will allow the fostering of an environment of dialogue between the institutions and the participatory elaboration of the strategic planning to define the new Programmatic Framework of the Brazil-ILO Partnership for the next few years.

The Director of ABC, Ambassador Ruy Pereira, and the Director of the ILO Office in Brazil, Mr. Vinícius Pinheiro, announced the beginning of the project during a meeting held at the Brazilian Cooperation Agency on March 16, 2023.

According to the Director of ABC, " the Brazil-ILO Partnership Program has, since 2009, accumulated successive successes in the decent work agenda with broad impact in cooperating countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. The beginning of this new cooperation project signals the priority of South-South cooperation for the Brazilian foreign policy that, associated with the mechanisms of systematization of good practices of Brazilian cooperating institutions, places cooperation as a tool for overcoming development challenges, promoting solidarity among peoples ".

Coordinated jointly by ABC and the ILO Office in Brazil, the project provides for the systematization, exchange, and adaptation of Brazilian good practices with the countries involved. The Brazilian government and the ILO will establish missions to prospect, execute and monitor the development of the cooperation activities to be implemented.

" This new initiative will expand and consolidate the results of the Brazil-ILO South-South Cooperation Program, besides diversifying the stakeholders that participate in the Program. We understand that it is an excellent opportunity for the promotion of social justice and decent work beyond Brazilian borders. ", said Vinícius Pinheiro, Director of the ILO Office in Brazil.

The actions will be aligned with the national development priorities and strategies of Brazil and the participating countries, in addition to being integrated with other initiatives of South-South Cooperation that the Brazilian Government holds.

Press Contact Information

Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE)

Special Press Office (AIG) of the Ministry of External Relations (MRE)

Telephone: +55 (61) 2030-6160, 2030-8006 or 2030-8007.

E-mail: imprensa@itamaraty.gov.br

ILO Office in Brazil

Denise Marinho

Telephone: (61) 2106 4625

E-mail: santosd@ilo.org