Together to End Child Labour: A high-level event to mark the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour

In July 2019, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 73/327 declaring 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. The resolution invites Member States and other stakeholders to observe the International Year through activities aimed at raising awareness of the importance of eliminating child labour and to share best practices in this regard. At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has increased uncertainties for children and their families, it is crucial for the international community to build momentum for advocacy and action to eliminate child labour.

Significant strides have been made in the fight against child labour over the past two decades. However, despite a 38% reduction between 2000 and 2016, over 152 million children were in child labour in 2017, almost half of them in hazardous occupations or conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic further threatens to push millions more into the workforce, as job losses and sharp declines in household income are hitting already vulnerable families, putting pressure on children to contribute. The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has thus effectively become intertwined with protecting the rights of every child.

2021 will therefore be critical for global efforts against child labour. To this end, Luxembourg, the European Union, the ILO and UNICEF will convene a virtual high-level event to mark the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour on 11 June 2021, ahead of the World Day against Child Labour. The high-level event will be an opportunity to discuss best practices in the elimination of child labour as well as recommit to ending child labour in all its forms by 2025 in line with Target 8.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The high-level event will also be an opportunity for countries to share progress on the Action Pledges they have made in connection with the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour.