OIT : le Togolais Gilbert Houngbo brigue un second mandat à la tête de l’organisation

**Gilbert Houngbo Seeks Second Term as Director‑General of the International Labour Organization**

*Geneva, 31 August 2026* – Gilbert Houngbo, the Togolese diplomat who became the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) first African Director‑General in October 2022, has formally announced his candidacy for a second five‑year term. The ILO confirmed his nomination on 31 August, after the close of the candidacy filing period.

Houngbo’s current mandate is set to expire in November 2027. If re‑elected, his second term would begin on 1 October 2027 and run until 30 September 2032. The election is scheduled for 16 November 2026.

He will face two challengers:
– **Yolanda Díaz**, Spain’s Minister of Labour, and
– **Javier González‑Olaechea**, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In a candidacy statement released by the ILO, Houngbo highlighted several initiatives undertaken during his first term. He said the organization has “strengthened its normative leadership” and that international labour standards remain “the cornerstone of stability and predictability.” Specific achievements cited include the adoption of new instruments on occupational safety and health, as well as on vocational training and apprenticeship.

Houngbo also pointed to reforms aimed at modernising the ILO’s supervisory system, notably accelerating the standards‑review process and simplifying the submission of periodic reports. He noted progress on issues such as workplace discrimination, the right to strike, and overall governance of the organization. Looking ahead, he pledged to “enhance the ILO’s response capacity by ensuring rapid, targeted assistance that aligns with its mandate” and to make the agency “more attuned to regional realities while upholding universal principles.”

The Togolese government has expressed support for Houngbo’s bid. In a letter to the ILO’s Governing Body, officials in Lomé cited his “more than 40 years of experience in international development,” referencing his prior roles as Prime Minister of Togo (2008‑2012), President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) from 2017 to 2022, and senior positions at the United Nations Development Programme (1996‑2008) and the ILO (2013‑2017).

The upcoming election will determine whether Houngbo continues to lead the ILO for a second term, marking the final tenure permissible under the organization’s statutes.

Article and image source: togofirst.com