The Trade Union-OECD DAC Forum 2025 brought together trade union representatives from across the world, with OECD DAC delegates and development cooperation experts to discuss how development cooperation can effectively contribute to these principles.
ITUC Deputy General Secretary Eric Manzi stated: “We will take these demands, set out in [our statement](https://www.ituc-csi.org/Strengthening-Development-Cooperation-for-social-justice), to the members of the OECD DAC to ensure that they are considered at the DAC High-Level Meeting and integrated into development cooperation policies.”
Throughout the forum, participants highlighted the importance of ensuring development cooperation effectively addresses poverty and inequality by promoting decent work, living wages and responsible business conduct.
As Eric Manzi noted, “In a world where millions of workers remain trapped in poverty despite having a job, development cooperation must be a force for good. That means supporting decent wages, reinforcing labour market institutions and ensuring access to social protection. These are proven solutions to fight poverty and reduce inequality.”
Veronica Nilsson, General Secretary of [TUAC](https://tuac.org/), added: “Evidence consistently shows that collective bargaining and strong labour market institutions play a critical role in tackling poverty and inequality, creating pathways to sustainable development.
“We will continue to push this agenda forward at the OECD and the DAC”.
The Trade Union-OECD DAC Forum also recognised that:
* The majority of people living in extreme poverty are employed, underscoring the need for formalising the economy and reinforcing labour market institutions through collective bargaining.
* With the growing role of the private sector in development cooperation, investments must align with international labour standards and ensure that businesses respect workers’ rights throughout global supply chains.
* Social protection is a key component of responsible business conduct, ensuring workers have access to essential protections such as healthcare, pensions, and unemployment benefits.