On Wednesday, 17 February, the President of Djibouti, Ismaël Omar Guelleh, officially launched the International Year in a three-day special event that coincided with the ILO Employment Forum.

All participating stakeholders – UN officials, social partners, and civil society representatives – signed a Declaration on Employment.

More than 75 enterprises attended the event, pledging to create thousands of new jobs for local youth.

We heard from:

• H.E. Ismaël Omar Guelleh, President of Djibouti
• Mr. Moussa Oumarou, ILO DDG 
• Ms. Cynthia Samuel Olonjuwon, ILO RD for Africa 
• Mr. Sman Ibrahim Robleh, Ministre du Travail chargé de la Réforme de l’Administration

The Djibouti government pledged to formulate a plan of action on the elimination of child labour, and encouraged other countries in the region to do the same.

Employment forum kicks off today! Join the President of #Djibouti, @IsmailOguelleh as he officially launches the International Year, and makes his pledge by formulating his action plan to #EndChildLabour2021 in Djibouti. @MusindoAlexio @ILOAfrica @AfricaAccel @Alliance8_7 pic.twitter.com/26yn4INSBN

— ILOAddis (@AddisIlo) February 19, 2021

Tomorrow, the @ILOAfrica RD @ColonjuwonILO at the Employment Forum will be highlighting the need to take on concrete actions on the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. #EndChildLabour2021 pic.twitter.com/Bkt1coHXhL

— ILO_ACCELAfrica_Regional (@AfricaAccel) February 18, 2021

The #President of #Djibouti, @IsmailOguelleh pledged to combat #childlabour as he officially launched the International Year and the Employment Forum in #Djibouti yesterday.#EndChildLabour2021 pic.twitter.com/wBvSi1CPwa

— ILO_ACCELAfrica_Regional (@AfricaAccel) February 18, 2021

Together, we can achieve Target 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end child labour in all its forms by 2025.

Are you ready to make a difference for children? Submit your 2021 Action Pledge by 30 March.