10 Asia-Pacific countries to examine green jobs initiatives at Conference

SURABAYA (ILO News): Government, employer and worker representatives from ten countries in the Asia- Pacific region will gather in Surabaya, this week to examine new ways of generating green employment opportunities. The region’s growing interest in the move toward “green jobs” creates opportunities for a just transition for workers and employers in the pursuit and advancement of low-carbon, climate resilient, environmentally friendly economic development.

The Green Jobs in Asia Regional Conference, 29–31 August, is hosted by the Government of Indonesia, and convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO), . The Minister of Manpower and Transmigration of Indonesia, Dr H. A. Muhaimin Iskandar, will open the conference, which is expected to draw more than 80 participants from across the Asia-Pacific region.

The ILO defines green jobs as decent and productive employment that helps to reduce negative environmental impacts, ultimately leading to environmentally, economically and socially sustainable enterprises and economies.

The ILO launched the Green Jobs in Asia project in 2010. Supported by the Australian Government – ILO Partnership Agreement (2010 – 2015), the project’s main objective has been to develop the capacity of ILO constituents and national partners by strengthening policies and promoting opportunities for green jobs in five participating countries: Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Participants from an additional five countries have been invited to this conference – China, Fiji, India, and Thailand.

Together, the delegates will examine proven green jobs employment models developed with technical assistance from the ILO’s Green Jobs in Asia Project. These employment models leverage opportunities for renewable energy, sustainable construction, municipal waste recycling and sustainable tourism. The conference will highlight efforts to mainstream green jobs policies at national and regional levels as well as to strengthen the commitment to green jobs of actors in the world of work. The conference will also examine emerging ‘greening’ enterprises as well as green entrepreneurship and youth employment opportunities.

Drawing on policy innovations and lessons learnt from all 10 participating countries the conference will allow for the exchange information on a variety of supportive policies and mechanisms related to green jobs and sustainable development. It will also promote further interregional cooperation and action for reducing poverty through green jobs.

"The countries of Asia and the Pacific identified green jobs as a priority area for policy development last December at the ILO’s 15th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting in Kyoto, Japan,” said Ms Thetis Mangahas, Officer-in-Charge of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. “The Green Jobs in Asia Conference in Surabaya represents a great opportunity to press forward with that mandate by further engaging governments, employers' and workers’ organizations in an in-depth discussion on past achievements as well as new ideas for the creation and sustainability of green jobs across the region”.

The Green Jobs in Asia project is part of the ILO’s Green Jobs Initiative, the result of a partnership established in 2007 between the ILO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The International Organization of Employers (IOE) joined in 2008.

Indonesian and foreign media representatives are welcome to attend all of the Conference sessions. The meeting will take place at the Singgasana Hotel in Surabaya.

For further information please contact: Mr Muce Mochtar National Project Coordinator of Green Jobs in Indonesia Tel.: +6221 391 3112 ext. 103 Email

Ms Gita Lingga Media Officer Tel.: +6221 391 3112 ext. 115 Email