The ILO and other global partners came together in Geneva for the a global conference titled "Fair Recruitment Initiative: The Way Forward – From Policy to Practice" and reaffirmed a shared commitment to building rights-based, transparent, and equitable recruitment systems worldwide.

Held on 19 and 20 of May 2025, the conference gathered over 100 participants, including ministers, social partners, recruitment agencies, and experts from around the world. High-level speakers included ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo, the Ministers of Labour of Qatar and Ghana, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the Secretary-General of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE).

The event marked a milestone in the Fair Recruitment Initiative’s evolution, with the launch of its new 2026–2030 strategy. Participants welcomed the roadmap and offered concrete ideas to strengthen implementation in the years ahead.

Key takeaways included the need to close persistent implementation gaps, harness digital technologies for greater oversight and data protection, and support migrant workers through better information, training, and representation. Discussions also emphasized sector- specific responses, stronger enforcement of laws and the importance of aligning fair recruitment with broader employment, migration and development agendas.

The conference concluded with a strong call to action: move from policy to practice through sustained collaboration, legal reform, and investment in preventive worker-centred systems. The ILO and its partners reminded that they remain united in advancing fair recruitment as a cornerstone of decent work and social justice.