Bilateral Meeting between SESRIC and ILO Türkiye Office
Date: 30 January 2024
Venue: Ankara - Türkiye

H.E. Zehra Zümrüt SELÇUK held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Dr. Yasser Ahmed HASSAN, Director of the ILO Türkiye Office. The meeting aimed at deepening collaboration and exploring new avenues for joint initiatives to benefit the OIC countries.

The existing collaboration between SESRIC and the ILO Türkiye Office spans various capacity-building activities, focusing on crucial domains such as labour, social protection, and employment. During the discussions, the two representatives exchanged views and discussed plans for future possible joint projects that align with the mandates of both institutions.

SESRIC, as a subsidiary organ of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), places a strong emphasis on labour issues in the OIC countries. The OIC-2025 Programme of Action recognizes the importance of the labour market in building a better quality of life, promoting productive employment, and creating adequate social protection in the member countries.

During the meeting H.E. SELÇUK undelined that SESRIC, in collaboration with competent national institutions, conducts capacity-building training activities under 20 different sector-specific programs, including Occupational Safety and Health, Public Employment Services, Poverty Alleviation, and Social Development. This collaboration includes participation in networking activities, hosting two main Networks - OIC Occupational Safety and Health Network (OIC-OSHNET) and OIC Public Employment Services (OIC-PESNET).

Expressing his appreciation for the warm visit, H.E. Dr. HASSAN highlighted that both institutitions have overlapping areas that pave the way for collaboration with each other, particularly on youth employment, vocational education and training, employment opportunities in emerging green and renewable energy sectors, empowering women rights in the labour market, digital technologies, and entrepreneurship.

The meeting concluded with both parties determined to further strengthen their collaboration in promoting decent work, labor rights, and social protection across OIC countries.