Rwanda has been elected as a Regular Member of ILO Governing Body (GB) for the next term (2021-2024). Africa has a total of 13 Seats (Six Regular Seats and Seven Deputy Seats).

The ILO Governing Body is composed of 56 Regular Members and 66 Deputy Members, noting that Ten (10) of the Regular Government seats are permanently held by States of chief industrial importance namely Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The other Government members are elected by the Conference every three years.

The role of the Governing Body includes but not limited to the following functions: Taking all decisions on ILO policies; Deciding the agenda of the International Labour Conference; Adopting the draft programme and budget of the organization for submission to the conference; Electing the Director-General of ILO; Summoning Member States concerning labour matters; Appointing commissions of inquiry and supervises the work of the International Labour Office; and Participating in decision making of the following ILO Committees (Policy Development Committee; Committee on Freedom of Association; Programme, Financial and Administrative Committee; Institutional Committee; Legal Issues and International Labour Standards Committee; High-Level Committee; Working Party on the Functioning of the Governing Body and the International Labour Conference; and Committee on the Application of Standards); etc.

Rwanda’s Membership in the ILO’s Governing Body brings an opportunity for both the Government of Rwanda and the ILO to enhance collaboration towards making Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) a reality in the World and Africa in particular. This membership also creates a platform, through which, Rwanda will continue to exchange information with the rest of the World and devise responsive measures towards addressing Global shared challenges.

Towards the attainment of the main objectives of the Vision 2020, moving forward with NST to Vision 2050, a renewed membership to ILO Governing Body is an opportune moment to keep enhancing competitiveness in the world of work and pursuing responsive efforts with a view to responding to labour market needs and accelerating National economic recovery amid Civid-19 pandemic.