Committee Introduction 

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The International Labour Organisation (ILO), founded in 1919 through the Treaty of Versailles, is the UN’s only tripartite agency, working with governments, employers, and workers to promote social justice and labour rights. Since its early conventions on working hours, maternity protection, and unemployment, the ILO has expanded its influence—shaping labour rights during decolonisation, responding to globalisation, and launching major frameworks such as the 1998 Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the 1999 Decent Work Agenda. Centered on a human-focused approach, the ILO advances decent work through four pillars: employment creation, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental labour rights. Today, it continues to support member states with standards, research, and technical assistance, with its mission closely aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.​

 

Agenda Introduction 

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Agenda A | 

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Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are transforming workplaces by replacing repetitive, low-skill labor and increasingly expanding into tasks that once required uniquely human intelligence. While these technologies improve efficiency and productivity, they also raise serious concerns about job displacement, with an estimated 28% of jobs across OECD countries at high risk—affecting sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, transportation, and even creative fields like education and entertainment. The challenge lies in the dual nature of these technologies: although they can exacerbate inequality and threaten employment, they also create new opportunities that enhance human capabilities. As impacts differ greatly between developed and developing countries, delegates must propose balanced, forward-looking solutions focused on reskilling and upskilling, strong social protection systems, effective regulation, and international cooperation to ensure that all nations can mitigate risks and harness the benefits of AI and automation.

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Agenda B | 

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The ILO defines workers’ rights as human rights essential to dignity and social justice, grounded in its 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. Today, rising global trade tensions—most notably the renewed U.S. tariffs on China and Europe under a “Trump 2.0” administration—have intensified geopolitical uncertainty and economic instability. While these tensions appear to weaken global growth, their deeper consequences fall most heavily on workers, who face increased risks of job displacement, wage stagnation, and lowered labor standards as countries compete for trade advantages. The European Trade Union Institute estimates that a 20% U.S. tariff on EU goods could reduce EU exports by 15% and threaten up to 720,000 of the 4.8 million jobs supported by EU-US trade. As basic rights to decent work and a stable livelihood come under pressure, delegates must propose comprehensive strategies that extend beyond government policy alone, including strengthening worker representation, enhancing institutional safeguards, and promoting global cooperation to ensure fair transitions and job security amid ongoing economic shifts.