Event Summary: Fostering Social Dialogue for a Just Transition to a Resilient Low-Carbon Economy
Held at: World Conference Centre Bonn, Room Berlin, 19 June 2025
Social consensus has become a cornerstone for climate action that is not only inclusive and
resilient, but above all effective. As Parties stepped up efforts to decarbonize their economies
in
line with the Paris Agreement—limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to
limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—it became more critical than ever to promote
inclusive
governance mechanisms that ensure no one is left behind.
In this context, social dialogue, uniting governments, workers, and employers, was shown to be a
powerful catalyst for just transitions, supporting decent work, economic resilience, and social
protection.
Signed at the 2024 Hamburg Sustainability Conference, the Call to Action highlighted the
importance
of coordinated global efforts to achieve a socially just transition towards a low-carbon and
resilient economy that fosters sustainable growth, decent work, and social inclusion, in line
with
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 and 13. Integrating just transition principles and social
dialogue into countries’ climate strategies—including Nationally Determined Contributions
(NDCs),
National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies
(LT-LEDS)—was
recognized as a key step to support equitable climate action.
The Call to Action invited governments, workers' and employers' organizations, and all other
relevant
stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in promoting social dialogue globally through
partnerships
and practical solutions, aiming to accelerate a just transition in all countries and support
sustainable development in its economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
This event explored how social dialogue served as a key enabler of just, inclusive, and resilient
transition processes. The initiative aimed to maximize environmental, economic, and social
benefits
while mitigating the risks of job losses and rising inequalities associated with the green
transition. Discussions highlighted experiences from diverse regions, showcased concrete policy
tools and frameworks, and encouraged stronger national and international engagement with the
Call to
Action.
Objective of the Event
Based on the ILO’s publication “Call to Action: fostering social dialogue for a just
transition
to a resilient low-carbon economy,” which explored the key priorities for joint actions
for
just transitions on all levels, the event fostered knowledge exchange on policies and practices
that
promote social justice in climate action. It encouraged more countries to commit to just
transition
through strengthened social dialogue at all levels.
Agenda Overview
- Opening: Moderators Camilla Roman (ILO) and Stelios Pesmajoglou (UNFCCC)
opened
the session, introducing the objectives and setting the scene.
- Keynote Context: Camilla Roman (ILO) provided an overview of the Call to
Action
and the rationale for promoting social dialogue as a central pillar of just transitions.
Stelios
Pesmajoglou (UNFCCC) highlighted how UNFCCC processes encourage engagement of non-Party
stakeholders, including through the Katowice Committee of Experts (KCI) and UNFCCC
constituencies.
- Panel Discussion: Invited speakers shared national and institutional
experiences on how social dialogue supports just transition implementation. Of special note,
Angelina Mensah, Co-Chair of the Katowice Committee of Experts on the
Impacts
of the Implementation of Response Measures (KCI) from Ghana, played a pivotal role in the
discussion, offering unique insights from her leadership in advancing social dialogue within
the
KCI and highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches for just transitions in Africa
and
globally. Other distinguished panelists included Jonathan Krull (Federal Foreign Office,
Germany), Patrick Rondeau (Quebec Federation of Labour/TUNGO, Canada), and Robert Marinkovic
(International Organisation of Employers, Switzerland).
- Interactive Dialogue: Participants engaged in an open exchange, including a
Q&A
session, sharing national initiatives and best practices for institutionalizing social
dialogue.
- Closing: The moderator summarized key discussion points and closed the
event.
In summary, the event at World Conference Centre Bonn, Room Berlin, on 19 June
2025,
enabled a rich exchange of knowledge and experiences on fostering social dialogue for just
transitions, inspiring stronger national and international commitments to equitable and
inclusive
climate action, with Angelina Mensah’s contributions providing particular depth
and
leadership to the discussions.
