Labour, Economic Affairs, Science

-    (Article index 1) International Labour Organization (ILO)

The International Labour Organization (ILO) ,founded in 1919 under the League of Nations, is the first specialized UN agency. Its mission is to promote social justice, decent work, and internationally recognized human and labour rights. It is unique as a tripartite body, bringing together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member states to create and monitor labour standards, develop policies, and implement programs that support decent work worldwide.

The ILO’s main bodies include:
•    The International Labour Conference , which sets global labour standards;
•    The Governing Body, which determines policy and budget;
•    The International Labour Office, the secretariat that carries out ILO activities.

Τhe current Director-General, since 2022, has been Gilbert F. Houngbo, the first African to lead the ILO. Among other priorities, he focuses on the creationof a Global Coalition for Social Justice, which now includes over 80 countries and 300 partners. Greece is already a member of the Global Coalition.

The 112th International Labour Conference (June 2024) addressed issues such as workers’ rights, climate change, biological hazards, and the care economy. It also held the inaugural forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice and elected the new Governing Body (2024–27). Greece actively participated in the conference.

The Permanent Mission of Greece in Geneva maintains close cooperation with the ILO, while primary responsibility for ILO-related matters lies with the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.

-    (Article index 2) World Trade Organization (WTO)

The WTO is the umbrella organization responsible for overseeing the implementation of all the multilateral and plurilateral agreements that have been negotiated or will be negotiated in the context of the International Trade system.

Objectives of the WTO, as they are presented in the preamble of the Agreement Establishing the WTO are: raising the standarts of living and incomes, ensuring full employment, expanding production and Trade and the optimal use of the world’s resources. It recognizes the need for positive efforts to ensure that developing countries and especially the least developed among them have a better share in internationale trade. Out of the 166 Member Sates of the WTO 2/3 come from the developing and less developed countries.

Functions

The Organization has the following functions:

-Administration of the WTO Agreements
-Forum for multilateral Trade negotiations
-Handling Trade Disputes
-Monitoring national trade policies through the Trade Policy Review Mechanism
-Providing technical Assistance and training for developing countries
-Cooperation with other international organizations

Structure of the WTO

The main body responsible for decision making is the Ministerial Conference, which takes place every two years. The next one, the14th Ministerial Conference, will take place in Yaoudé (Cameroon, 26-29 of March 2026). During the two years between the meetings of the Ministerials, the functions of the Conference are performed by the General Council., which is assisted in its work by the Council of Trade in Goods, the Council of Trade in Services and the Council of TRIPS

Secretariat

The Secretariat, located in Geneva, is headed by the General Director. Acting General Director is Dr. Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala (Nigeria), who was elected in 2021 for a term of four years (2021-2025), while she was re-elected, by consensus, for another term of four years starting at the end of August 2025.

Budget

The annual Budget of the Organization derives from the contributions of its 166 Member States. The biggest contributors are the EU as a whole, the USA and China.

Decision Making Process

The Agreement of the establishment of WTO stipulates that the WTO shall continue the GATT practice of decision making by consensus which is considered to have been reached when at the time a decision is taken not a single member country voices opposition to its adoption.

-    (Article index 3) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) about established in 1964 aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development through trade, investment, and financial cooperation, with a strong focus on supporting developing countries and reducing global inequalities.

Its highest decision-making body is the UNCTAD Conference, held every four years. The upcoming 16th Conference (UNCTAD 16) will take place in October 2025 in Vietnam, focusing on strategies for sustainable development, economic resilience, digital transformation, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially post-COVID-19 and amid the climate crisis.

The Trade and Development Board meets annually to monitor UNCTAD’s work and is supported by specialized commissions. The Secretariat, led by Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan (the first woman and Latin American in this role), implements decisions and coordinates activities. Grynspan’s leadership emphasizes a fairer global economy, digital and climate resilience, and support for vulnerable states.

Greece is represented in UNCTAD through its Permanent Mission in Geneva and capital experts who participate ad hoc in specialized committees, such as the e-commerce committee and consumer protection committee. Our participation focuses on trade, investment, shipping, and innovation, while also promoting cooperation with developing countries, as well as Mediterranean and Balkan countries. We aim to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and contribute to policy-making that supports international trade and sustainable development.

-    (Article index 4) United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

The UNECE, established in 1947, is a key regional body of the United Nations, promoting economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional integration among its 56 member states across Europe, Central Asia, and North America. Ιt serves as a forum for dialogue on issues such as environmental protection, transport, energy efficiency, housing, forestry, and trade facilitation.

UNECE's structure includes a biennial Plenary Session and the Executive Committee (EXCOM), which meets regularly to address strategic and policy matters and oversee the work of specialized committees. These committees cover critical areas such as:

•    Environmental Policy: e.g., air and water quality, biodiversity
•    Sustainable Transport: e.g., international transport conventions, including the TIR Convention
•    Sustainable Energy: e.g., energy efficiency, renewable energy
•    Trade: e.g., regulatory cooperation and trade simplification
•    Housing and Land Management: e.g., urban planning and infrastructure
The current Executive Secretary, since 2023, Tatiana Molcean, emphasizes stronger regional cooperation for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate action, resilient infrastructure, and green growth. 

Key UNECE events include the 2025 Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, the Conference on Transport Facilitation, the Forum on Circular Economy and Resource Use, and the Annual Climate Action Meeting—all aimed at advancing sustainable solutions for the region’s most pressing challenges.

Greece is actively engaged through its Permanent Mission in Geneva, particularly in key committees such as Sustainable Transport, Environmental Policy, Trade, and Sustainable Energy, with ad hoc participation of experts from Ministries of Environment, Transport and Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Greece promotes priorities such as green trade, renewable energy, natural resource management, and regional partnerships—especially in the Mediterranean and Balkans. It also supports the participation of Greek experts in UNECE scientific and technical work.

Greece’s current participation in Committees of the UNECE:

•    Committee of Competitiveness and Innovation and Public Private Partnerships (CICPPP) - Mr Geroge Katapodis, President
•    Bureau of the Working Party on PPP - Ms Eleni Bacoula, member 
•    Bureau of the Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management Ambassador – Ambassador Mr Tassos Kriekoukis, member
•    Bureau of the Working Party on the Land Management (WPLA) – Dr Potsiou, member.

-    (Article index 5) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), founded in 1967, is a specialized UN agency dedicated to promoting the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights globally. It fosters international cooperation and develops legal frameworks for patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs etc.It manages and develops international treaties concerning intellectual property, such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (patents), the Berne Convention (copyright) and the Madrid Agreement (trademarks).

WIPO assists member states—especially developing countries—through technical support, training, and capacity building, helping them strengthen their IP systems and adapt legislation to technological and digital advancements.

Its main bodies include the General Assembly, Coordination Committee, and the Arbitration and Mediation Center. Key committees such as the Paris, Berne, and Madrid Assemblies oversee the implementation of respective treaties. WIPO also facilitates international registration systems like the Madrid System (trademarks) and Hague Agreement (industrial designs).

The current Director-General, since 2020, has been Daren Tang, the first Asian descent to lead WIPO. He focuses on using IP as a tool for economic development, particularly in smaller and developing countries.

In Greece, the Hellenic Industrial Property Organization (OBI) and the Hellenic Copyright Organization (HCO)monitors technical aspects of WIPO’s work and its specialized committees, while the Greek Permanent Mission in Geneva follows political and strategic developments within the organization.

-    (Article index 6) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), founded in 1865, as International Telegraph Union, is a UN specialized agency responsible for global coordination of information and communication technologies (ICT). It plays a key role in managing the radio-frequency spectrum, satellite orbits, setting global telecom standards, and supporting ICT infrastructure—especially in developing countries.

The ITU supports a wide range of technologies including broadband, mobile and fixed telephony, satellite communication, maritime and aeronautical navigation, and AI. Its core mission is to promote global connectivity and digital inclusion.

The organization includes 193 member states and over 900 non-state members (companies, universities, organizations). Its top governing body, the Plenipotentiary Conference, elects key officials and the ITU Council (48 members). Greece served on the Council in 2015 and 2018, but was not re-elected in 2022.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin became Secretary-General in 2023, as the first woman to lead ITU. Her vision focuses on bridging the digital divide and enhancing international cooperation for a more inclusive and secure digital future.

Key upcoming events include the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) and the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). 

Greece is represented by the Permanent Mission in Geneva and the Ministry of Digital Governance.