Upscaling impact on child labour in agriculture

Thematic Panel

11/02/2026

11:15

-

13:00

Koutoubia

Watch this session live on ILO Live streaming.

Agriculture remains the sector with the highest number of children in child labour, accounting for 61% globally, according to the 2024 ILO-UNICEF Global Estimates on Child Labour. Concentrated largely in family, small-scale and labour-intensive operations, it affects in particular the youngest children. 

Building on the Durban Call to Action, which identified ending child labour in agriculture as a priority, this high-level panel will highlight innovative and integrated initiatives and good practices that can accelerate progress and give the world a chance to achieve SDG Target 8.7, which we failed to achieve by 2025. Topics discussed will cover policies and investment approaches addressing child labour in agriculture, area-based initiatives delivering real change in rural communities, and innovative digital tools. 

Speakers

Redouane Arrach

Redouane Arrach

Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Morocco

Babafemi Oyewole

Babafemi Oyewole

CEO

Pan African Farmers Organisation

Benjamin Davis

Benjamin Davis

Director of Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Favián Salgado

Favián Salgado

Coordinator of Agrijoven programme

National Agriculture University

Joost Kooijmans

Joost Kooijmans

Senior Social Development Specialist

World Bank

Alexandre Huynh

Alexandre Huynh

FAO representative in Morocco

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Cécile Huertas

Cécile Huertas

Sustainability Labels and Schemes Expert

Food and Agriculture Organization's Investment Centre

Marlene Mazariegos

Marlene Mazariegos

Sustainability Manager

Guatemalan Chamber of Agriculture

Mopholosi Morokong

Mopholosi Morokong

Regional Occupational Health and Safety Officer

International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations, South Africa

Moderators

Maria Lee

Maria Lee

Socio-economist and Child Labour specialist

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)