Gilbert Houngbo takes over from Guy Ryder as new Director-General of ILO

Gilbert Houngbo is a Togolese politician, a diplomat and a former Prime Minister who served from September 2008 to July 2012. Prior to this, Mr. Houngbo occupied several positions in the UN, including Assistant Secretary-General of the organisation. Following his term as Prime Minister, he moved on to the International Labour Office in 2013 where he became Deputy Director-General for Field Operations and Partnership. Since 2017, he has been the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Mr. Gilbert Houngbo has been elected the new Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) with 30 votes, surpassing Ms. Muriel Pénicaud who followed with 23 votes.

He is taking over from Mr. Guy Ryder and will officially assume office in October 2022. This is the first time that an African has been elected as head of the ILO, which is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN).