Child labour remains a critical global and regional challenge, undermining children’s rights and sustainable development. Despite a reduction of more than 20 million working children since 2020, an estimated 138 million children were still engaged in child labour globally in 2024, including 54 million in its worst forms, placing the world off track to meet SDG target 8.7 on eliminating child labour.

In the Arab region, child labour is deeply rooted in structural economic and social factors, including poverty, labour market informality, demographic pressures, and weak social protection systems. These challenges are compounded by rising unemployment, shrinking public-sector employment, and unequal access to decent work, which push vulnerable families to rely on child labour as a coping mechanism. The emergence of informal and digital forms of work has further complicated monitoring and protection efforts.

This side event will serve as a regional Arab platform during the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour to showcase Arab perspectives, commitments, and innovative solutions. It moves beyond problem diagnosis towards actionable, integrated policy responses, aligned with international and Arab labour standards. The session also outlines key policy directions and expected outcomes aimed at strengthening child protection and achieving sustainable development goals.