FAO at the Arab Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2025: Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth

Sarina Abdysheva, FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals, delivered an statement at the Arab Regional Forum on Sustainable Development 2025 review session on ''Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth".

Urgent Actions to Address Marginal Progress and Stagnation

Invest in Youth, Unlock the Future: Agrifood systems represent a key source of employment for youth. Investing in youth in agrifood systems is crucial for unlocking the potential of youth and vital for achieving SDG8. Work-based learning, mentorship programs, peer support, and market access initiatives empower youth, while cooperatives and networks expand their resources and agency. Transforming rural youth livelihoods requires inclusive policies, cross-sectoral collaboration, and multistakeholder partnerships to address decent employment barriers, foster youth engagement in agrifood systems, and support youth-led enterprises. Joint interventions and policy alignment across various sectors, with social protection measures playing a critical role in providing a safety net and long-term support for vulnerable youth.

Breaking the Cycle: Ending Child Labour in Agrifood Systems for a Brighter Future: This ambitious goal of eradicating child labor by 2025 cannot be achieved without addressing its prevalence in the agricultural sector, where most children trapped in child labour continue to work in harsh conditions rather than benefitting from education. Transforming agrifood systems, supporting governments with policies and capacity-building, and raising awareness at all levels are key steps.

Financial inclusion can drive rural development by expanding opportunities through strengthened regulations, fintech solutions, financial literacy, and technical training. This is further supported by incentives for financial service providers to engage sustainably with young entrepreneurs.

Migrant workers: vital to our agrifood systems: Migrants are vital to agrifood systems, working across all sectors and stages of the value chain. Governments should ensure safe, regular migration pathways that protect workers' rights, promote fair recruitment, and prevent exploitation. Adequate housing and transport, freedom of association, and tailored occupational safety and health measures are crucial. Effective monitoring and access to justice are needed to uphold migrant workers' rights.