Paving the way for employment-centered trade and investment policies in METI II

Geneva (ILO News) – Launched in 2020, METI sought to integrate employment considerations into trade and investment policies across the Southern Mediterranean region. By promoting inclusive growth, fostering regional collaboration, and building capacity among policymakers, METI has achieved remarkable progress over the past four years.

Key accomplishments include:

• Establishing Policy Working Groups: National forums that brought together government officials, employers’ and workers’ representatives to align trade and investment policies with employment objectives.
• Developing concrete recommendations: Innovative methodologies to assess employment and support evidence-based policymaking.
• Building capacity: Regional training programs and workshops that equipped stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to implement pro-employment trade strategies.
• Fostering regional collaboration: Sharing best practices and strengthening networks across the region.

Closing event highlights

The closing event brought together national stakeholders from Southern Mediterranean countries who were involved in the technical implementation of EU-funded programmes, namely: ILO’s Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment (METI) programme and ITC’s Trade and Investment Facilitation Mechanism (TIFM II) programme. In addition, the discussions benefitted from the expertise of the OECD programme on Investment in the Mediterranean – Phase II. 

The closing event provided a platform for participants to celebrate METI’s and TIFM’s successes while looking toward the future. Policymakers from the region engaged in technical discussions, shared insights, and reflected on lessons learned.

•  Day 1: A workshop on Sustainable Supply Chains and Finance provided by Climate & Company, offering participants practical knowledge and tools for integrating sustainability into trade policies.
• Day 2: Participants engaged in thematic working sessions, delving into the interplay between trade, investment, and employment based on their national experiences.
• Day 3: High-level panel discussions featured representatives from the EU, ILO, and ITC, alongside government officials and social partners, to reflect on the achievements of METI and TIFM and outline priorities for the upcoming METI II programme.

The event also featured a small photo exhibition, showcasing METI’s milestones and providing a visual narrative of its regional achievements.

A vision for METI 2

Building on the success of METI I and thanks to the generous funding of the European Union, METI is set to embark on a new project that will:

• Expand activities to additional sectors and countries.
• Deepen the integration of employment considerations in trade and investment policies.
• Strengthen the focus on empowering youth and women in sustainable value chains.
• Enhance regional cooperation and capacity-building efforts.

METI II will capitalize on the programme’s strong foundations, continuing to inspire collaboration and innovation across the Southern Mediterranean region.

Looking ahead

While the first METI programme has concluded, its impact will endure, shaping policies and fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. With METI II on the horizon, the programme reaffirms its commitment to empowering stakeholders and advancing employment-centered development in the region.