Employment promotion and South-South cooperation
Innovative approaches urgently needed to tackle global shifts in the world of work
Annual regional policy dialogue ignites critical discussions on South-East Asia’s rapidly changing labour landscape.
16 October 2025
BANGKOK (ILO News) – As the fifth-largest economy in the world with a nominal GDP of US$3.8 trillion in 2023, ASEAN holds enormous potential in inclusive job creation, driven by strategic employment policies and efforts to foster sustainable development. Yet, emerging trends such as global trade tensions, artificial intelligence, the platform economy, and green transitions have amplified persistent labour market challenges in the region. Tackling these pressing issues calls for innovative actions from stakeholders across the region.
The ILO “Promoting the Global Development Initiative with a Focus on South-South Cooperation in Employment in ASEAN (ProSSCE-ASEAN)” project convened policymakers, and representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations from across South-East Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, from 15–16 October to exchange insights and policy innovations aimed at cultivating more inclusive, resilient and equitable labour markets amid ongoing uncertainty in South-East Asia.
“In a region as dynamic and diverse as South-East Asia, dialogue is essential for building consensus, strengthening regional cooperation, and driving progress toward shared goals. Through established international standards and our technical expertise, we remain committed to helping member States navigate labour market transitions and promote decent work for all. We believe that inclusive, forward-looking policies, developed through social dialogue and partnership, are key to building resilient and future-ready labour markets,” said Mr. Tuomo Poutiainen, Deputy Regional Director, ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Green entrepreneurship was featured prominently in the regional policy dialogue as a strategic approach to tackle potentials risks associated with emerging global trends. Initial findings from the forthcoming report, Comparative Analysis of Green Entrepreneurship Policies in ASEAN and China, further enriched the discussions by offering evidence-based insights. Through South-South knowledge sharing, the dialogue fostered exchanges among renowned academics and stakeholders on practical approaches to designing and implementing policies that support green enterprise growth—enabling countries facing similar challenges to learn from one another rather than having to reinvent the wheel.
The regional policy dialogue is organized every year by the ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN project to strengthen relationships and facilitate meaningful knowledge sharing among key stakeholders in South-East Asia and China. It serves as a core element of the project’s efforts to advance South-South and Triangular Cooperation, harnessing the region’s collective expertise to champion inclusive labour markets—especially for those in vulnerable situations—so that no one is left behind.
###
For further information please contact:
Tarinee Youkhaw
Advocacy & Knowledge Management Officer
ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN project
Email: [email protected]