Morocco to host global conference on eliminating child labor

Thursday 20 March 2025 - 08:30

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco to host global conference on eliminating child labor

Morocco has been chosen to host the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in 2026, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the first Arab nation to welcome this international event. The decision was made unanimously by the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) during its 353rd session in Geneva.

This selection underscores Morocco's commitment to addressing child labor, facilitated through its Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva and in collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills. The conference, scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, will focus on the necessary global actions to eradicate child labor, especially in light of the unmet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7, which aims to eliminate child labor by 2025.

Key discussions will revolve around assessing the implementation of recommendations from the upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha in November 2025, particularly concerning the underlying causes of child labor.

The 6th Global Conference will also evaluate the progress made since the previous event in Durban in May 2022. It aims to foster peer learning, facilitate information exchange, and enhance cooperation among countries at both regional and global levels.

A significant aspect of the conference will be its focus on the interplay between eliminating child labor and upholding fundamental labor rights. This aligns with efforts to galvanize new commitments under the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Discussions will include initiatives such as Alliance 8.7, business-led global efforts, and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.

According to UNICEF, over 1 in 5 children in the world’s poorest countries are engaged in hazardous work as of 2023. This issue is particularly acute in regions afflicted by war and conflict, with Sub-Saharan Africa reporting the highest incidence of child labor, where nearly 24% of children aged 5 to 17 are involved in work.

The root causes of child labor in low-income countries primarily stem from poverty and lack of access to education. Notably, child labor is not confined to impoverished nations, as more than half of child laborers reside in middle-income countries.