RECEPTION FOR RETIREES – 16 OCTOBER 2025

RECEPTION FOR RETIREES – 16 OCTOBER 2025

Retired ILO officials gathered once again at the invitation of the Director-General of the Organisation. Unfortunately, for the third consecutive year, the Director-General was unable to attend, probably due to other pressing matters.

It is true that 2025 has been a difficult year for the ILO, with several Member states, including the largest contributor, reluctant to pay their contributions, some calling for drastic reforms and others believing that many technical cooperation projects should be halted, as they no longer seem to correspond to the state policies of certain contributors. In short, multilateralism is in serious danger, and the ILO is not immune to budget cuts, which are having a dramatic impact on staff. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of ILO officials in each country have been dismissed overnight, and with the Governing Body meeting in November just a few weeks away, all active staff are waiting with bated breath for the decisions that will be taken there.

It was therefore in this climate, hardly conducive to celebration, that the reception was held, as it had been planned long in advance.

Around 130 retirees responded to the invitation, always happy to meet up with former colleagues and talk about the current situation, comparing it with times when they too had to face difficult circumstances.

Deputy Director-General Mr Hao BIN and Ms Danielle Guiho Chief of Human Ressources welcomed all participants and informed them of the difficulties facing the Organisation.

François Kientzler, Executive Secretary of the Retirees Section, then took the floor to provide an update and a history of the retirees’ reception in order to answer any questions about holding this reception in light of the current financial difficulties. He also outlined the various solidarity actions taken by retirees throughout the year alongside active civil servants. You can read his speech HERE

Finally, in an exceptional move, the Section’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Catherine Comte-Tiberghien, took the floor to pay tribute to the 15 years spent in the service of the Section as Executive Secretary, the latter having expressed his wish to step down in 2026. A toast was raised to thank him on behalf of all the members of the Section for his commitment and the work he has accomplished. You can read the speech HERE

The reception continued in the usual joyful and cheerful atmosphere, with everyone promising to meet again in the coming years.