KUALA LUMPUR: International Labour Organisation director-general Gilbert F. Houngbo has praised Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong as one of the region’s most dynamic and visionary labour ministers.
Houngbo stated that Sim’s leadership in championing the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 truly reflects Malaysia’s commitment to empowering the region’s workforce for the future.
He affirmed ILO’s readiness to support Malaysia and ASEAN in achieving this vision during his speech at the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 Global Skills Forum.
Houngbo noted they are meeting at a defining moment for the world of work amid technological innovation and artificial intelligence.
He highlighted that green and digital transitions, demographic change, and new forms of employment are transforming how we produce, learn and work.
These transformations bring opportunities for growth and productivity but also risk widening inequalities if workers lack adaptation skills.
Houngbo emphasised that skills development and lifelong learning are central to a human-centred future of work.
He stated these elements are key to unlocking productivity, social inclusion, and resilience through strong partnerships.
Governments must provide policies, investment and incentives while workers’ organisations ensure training opportunities remain fair and accessible.
Employers link learning to economic needs as no skills development strategy can succeed without enterprise engagement.
Houngbo highlighted three key areas where joint action can make the greatest difference in addressing shared responsibility.
First, innovation must ensure emerging technologies like AI transform learning design while remaining people-centred and ethical.
Second, inclusion requires every worker regardless of gender or background to have lifelong learning opportunities.
Skills systems must reach workers in the informal economy, persons with disabilities, and those in rural areas.
Third, investment in skills represents the best investment any society can make through public budgets and enterprise co-investment.
The ILO’s Skills and Lifelong Learning Strategy 2030 calls for collective action to close skills mismatches and advance social justice. – Bernama
