Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is integral in eradicating poverty, reducing inequality, and addressing economic and climate challenges. Trade unions can maximise the SDGs to advance the goals that are critical to the trade union movement. In particular, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth is fundamental in driving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda forward due to its multidimensional character and its multiple interlinkages with the other goals. In this regard, the ITUC-Asia Pacific promotes the implementation of SDGs based on social dialogue and supports its affiliates in engaging with United Nations agencies, particularly the International Labour Organization, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the respective United Resident Coordinators of the affiliates’ countries.

Central to the 2030 Agenda is the protection of the people and the planet. Being one of the regions most affected by climate change, Asia and the Pacific must be at the forefront of building a sustainable, low-carbon economy that creates climate-friendly jobs with Just Transition. Trade unions play a crucial role in advancing Just Transition measures through social dialogue to ensure that workers are not left behind in the process of shifting towards clean energy and industrial practices, climate-adaptive and resilient workplaces and communities, and green economies. To this end, the ITUC-Asia Pacific supports its affiliates in building their knowledge and capacity on climate issues and policies and integrating Just Transition in their work.