• ILO, UNDRR urge job creation, local capacity at TICAD9
• Labor programs boost resilience, support youth, vulnerable groups
• Japan highlights training, infrastructure, and policy for employment

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) called for an increase in job creation and local capacity building at a high-level side event on Thursday, August 21, at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9).

The event, titled "Jobs and livelihoods, enhancing resilience: A means to address the root causes of protracted crises," brought together governments, UN agencies, trade unions, employers' organizations, and civil society representatives. Participants presented best practices that align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, which focuses on preventing crises rather than just responding to them.

The ILO believes that labor-intensive programs, such as local infrastructure construction or sustainable agriculture projects, create immediate jobs while developing transferable skills. These initiatives promote access to decent work for young and vulnerable people and enhance communities' ability to withstand shocks, whether climatic, economic, or health-related.

According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa had approximately 145 million adolescents in 2024. The region is expected to account for a significant portion of the world's youth population by 2030, making investment in appropriate jobs and skills critical. The ILO argues that integrating decent work into sustainable development strategies reduces vulnerabilities, accelerates post-crisis recovery, and helps achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Japan's experience, which was highlighted at the event, shows the need to invest in digital and physical infrastructure, support continuous training, promote social dialogue, and adopt clear policies for managing employment and local projects.

Initially written in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Mouka Mezonlin