ILO to release report on Trade, Investment and Decent Work in Uganda
The overall objective of the event is to advance stakeholder engagement on trade and labour issues by examining national experiences, identifying implementation gaps and opportunities related to the integration of international labour standards and trade.
The meeting is also expected to generate context-specific insights that will inform evidence-based research and contribute to the sharing of best practices. (File photo)
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Stakeholders from numerous institutions are today expected to unveil a new report on Trade, Invest and Decent Work in Uganda aimed at aligning the operations of organisations and upholding the rights of citizens.
The event is jointly organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Research Department, the ILO Regional Office for Africa, and the ILO Country Office for the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
The overall objective of the event is to advance stakeholder engagement on trade and labour issues by examining national experiences, identifying implementation gaps and opportunities related to the integration of international labour standards and trade.
The meeting is also expected to generate context-specific insights that will inform evidence-based research and contribute to the sharing of best practices. This will also contribute to the regional seminar and workshop taking place in February 2026.
According to the organisers, the event on trade, investment, and decent work in Uganda is an integral part of stakeholder engagement activities under the ILO project. “Trade and investment arrangements: Implementation and stakeholder engagement for promoting decent work (IMPLEMENT)” aims to involve ILO constituents in practical dialogue on how trade and investment policies can affect decent work and sustainable development.
Achieving transformative and sustainable global change requires a balanced and integrated approach to economic, social, and environmental goals, an approach central to both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
Within these frameworks, international trade is recognised as a key driver of innovation, a vital source of financing, and a catalyst for inclusive growth and transformational change.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a flagship of Agenda 2063. Trade is essential for eradicating poverty and advancing economic and social well-being across the continent.
Equally central is the promotion of decent work, as reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: “Decent Work and Economic Growth.” Sustainable development cannot be realised without ensuring decent work for all.
Therefore, aligning trade and labour market policies to foster inclusive growth, protect workers’ rights, and support equitable development is critical to achieving both global and continental goals.
For the ILO in Africa, the Abidjan Declaration, adopted by ILO Member States in 2019, recognises the role of trade in supporting social justice and accelerating the realisation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.