Morocco to Host 6th Global Conference on Elimination of Child Labor

Rabat – Governing Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) unanimously selected Morocco today to host the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in 2026. 

The ILO made the decision during its 353rd session in Geneva, marking the first time an Arab country will host this international event.  

According to an official statement quoted by Morocco’s press agency  (MAP), the selection reflects Morocco’s efforts through its Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, in coordination with the Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills.  

The conference, taking place in the second quarter of 2026, will focus on global actions needed to eliminate child labor, particularly in light of the unmet target of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7, which aims to eradicate child labor by 2025. 

It is set to evaluate the implementation of recommendations from the Second World Summit for Social Development, set to take place in Doha in November 2025, especially regarding the root causes of child labor.  

The 6th Global Conference will also assess progress made since the last edition in Durban in May 2022. It will promote peer learning, information exchange, and cooperation among countries at regional and global levels.  

In addition, the event will focus on the connection between child labor elimination and fundamental labor rights, seeking to encourage new commitments under the Global Coalition for Social Justice. 

Key discussions will involve initiatives such as Alliance 8.7, business-led global efforts, and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions.  

According to UNICEF, more than 1 in 5 children in the world’s poorest countries are engaged in dangerous work as of 2023. 

This problem is especially severe in areas affected by war and conflict. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of child laborers, with nearly 24% of children aged 5 to 17 involved in work.  

The main reasons behind child labor in low-income countries are poverty and lack of education. However, child labor is not limited to poor countries as more than half of child laborers actually live in middle-income countries.