Sub-regional Programming Meeting: Advancing ILO strategies for the 2024-25 biennium

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia held its Sub-regional Programming Meeting on 3 October 2024 to outline strategic priorities and operational plans for the 2024-25 biennium. Held back-to-back with the Regional Strategy Meeting, the event brought together staff from across the subregion, including Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Mikhail Pouchkin, Technical Specialists, National Coordinators and Officers. Also participating were Emmanuel Julien, Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and Andreas Klemmer, Director of Training at the ILO International Training Centre in Turin (ITCILO), contributing to discussions on regional priorities and digital transformation.

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With all technical vacancies filled, our team is stronger than ever, expanding the ILO’s footprint across the subregion. Our Development Cooperation portfolio is growing, and the ILO Director-General’s recent visits have boosted ILO leadership in advancing social justice. Despite challenges, our delivery is on track, and we are well-positioned to continue promoting ILO Decent Work Agenda in the subregion.

Mikhail Pouchkin, Director, DWT/CO for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

The meeting assessed progress against the targets set in the 2024-25 Programme and Budget, addressing gaps and backlogs in implementation. Participants reviewed where the team stands in terms of the office’s workplans and identified areas for improvement. Emmanuel Julien highlighted key priorities from the ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, stressing the importance of enhanced collaboration across the subregion. 

The ILO is committed to addressing the subregion’s challenges, with a focus on just transitions and social dialogue. Freedom of association remains a critical issue, and we must step up efforts in this area. The recognition of occupational safety and health as a fundamental principle and right at work offers the ILO a chance to increase its impact. Employment and social protection, key to the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, are main drivers in advancing formalization.
Emmanuel Julien, Deputy Director, Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia

The second session, facilitated by the ITCILO, focused on the ILO’s ongoing digital transformation and aimed to accelerate the pace of digital capacity improvement across the Office and enhance hybrid collaboration. Discussions included updates on the office’s digital strategy and the importance of adapting operations to meet the growing demands of remote work and digital integration.

Key topics of the final session included identifying actionable strategies for improving technical collaboration and ensuring the delivery of integrated support to ILO constituents. The session was structured around thematic group work in which the participants reflected on past experiences, shared best practices, and developed recommendations to enhance the alignment of efforts across the subregion.

The outcomes of this meeting will be consolidated into the Final Report, which will guide the ILO’s continued engagement in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.