AICESIS calls for urgent global cooperation at International Labour Conference

GENEVA — June 12, 2025 — During yesterday’s plenary session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Raul Henriquez, Director and Secretary-General of the Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao, issued a compelling call for swift and coordinated global action to tackle interconnected economic, geopolitical, and climate crises. Speaking on behalf of the chair of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), currently held by the SER of Curaçao, Henriquez stressed the urgent need for unified international responses. 

“We convene at a critical juncture defined by profound economic upheavals, intricate geopolitical dynamics, and escalating climate emergencies,” Henriquez said. “These challenges amplify inequalities and pose significant threats to global stability and peace.” 

The representative of the chair of AICESIS highlighted alarming forecasts from the World Meteorological Organization, projecting with high certainty that global temperatures will reach unprecedented levels within five years. Additionally, he pointed to projections by the International Monetary Fund indicating significant global economic slowdowns, reflecting widespread vulnerabilities. Addressing these interconnected challenges, Henriquez emphasized the necessity of promoting ‘decent work’, defined as employment characterized by dignity, equity, security, and fundamental rights. Such employment aligns with the International Labour Organization’s standards and is crucial for societal resilience and global stability. 

Henriquez further highlighted the essential contribution of Economic and Social Councils (ESCs) in fostering inclusive governance. ESCs provide structured platforms facilitating dialogue among governments, employers, workers, and civil society. “ESCs integrate social justice within economic policies, manage digital and environmental transitions responsibly, and effectively protect vulnerable populations,” he explained. 

Referencing renowned economist Mariana Mazzucato, the representative of the chair of AICESIS advocated shifting economic strategies “from market fixing to market shaping, and from market value to public value.” ESCs, he argued, play an important role in aligning policy initiatives with sustainable societal outcomes rather than short-term market interests. 

In conclusion, the representative of the chair of AICESIS urged member states of the International Labour Organization to robustly support ESCs in their role as drivers of sustainable and inclusive development. Echoing the urgent appeal of U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, he affirmed, “The climate emergency is a race we are losing, but it is a race we can win,” calling for immediate collective international action through sustained dialogue and cooperation.  

“This defining moment demands unity and decisive action,” Henriquez concluded. “We must build a just, sustainable, and enduring legacy for future generations.” 
For the full text of Henriquez’s speech, click here.
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