The threatened or real rate increases are largely focused on taxation of imports to the United States and will make products made by factories outside the country more expensive-a situation that could lower demand.

THE Ilo‘s Best work Program, a partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) supported clothing factories, many of which export their products to the United States.

The Sara Park of the ILO explained to UN News Which could then happen.

Sara Park: Better Work currently operates in the clothing, textiles and shoes in 13 countries around the world.

It was created 24 years ago in Cambodia to monitor working conditions in clothing factories and has since focused on improving and strengthening the capacities of factories and our constituencies in the sector, for example safety and health at work.

There are other elements that support the sector to promote social dialogue, safe and decent work that includes fair wages and working hours. The program has also contributed to strengthening productivity in these sectors.

UN news: How is the ILO involved?

Sara Park: The ILO is a tripartite organization, so we work with governments, employers, unions that represent workers, generally the ministries of labor, but also with the Ministries of Commerce or Commerce because the program focuses on exports.

But what makes us different from other projects is that we have a very close collaboration with the major brands of the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan to promote responsible commercial practices.

UN news: To what extent did this program succeed?

Sara Park: Our studies show that at the factory level, we have had a significant impact, for example by increasing wages and supporting problems related to gender equality, the empowerment of women and women obtaining more roles of supervision.

During the quarter -century of its existence, better work withdrew millions of people from poverty and reduced the environmental impact of the clothing sector by creating decent work in sustainable companies.

It is always difficult for unions because freedom of association remains a great challenge.

If you try to develop an entire industry and make it competitive, it takes years, even decades; However, we have seen improvements in the factories where we work.

Better factories registered at work also reported an increase in buyers’ orders.

UN news: So, is it good for business too?

Sara Park: It’s good for business and productivity in individual factories. Governments also tell us that the program supports confidence and therefore the growth of industry as a whole in participating countries.

UN news: How has better work been affected by recent world changes in development financing?

Sara Park: As we know by recent developments, the US government has reduced funding and affected our programs in Haiti and Jordan, which was almost entirely funded by the United States. The other countries have not been affected because we are fortunate to have very diverse funding.

UN news: Why is the continuous support of the ILO necessary once the relationship between the factory and the buyer is configured?

Sara Park: Buyers, who are often well -known companies, need a sustainable means of monitoring working conditions to ensure that they comply with international labor standards; This is important to eliminate the risks from the point of view of buyers.

The Better Work program supports improvements in factories, by performing assessments, advisory and learning sessions and helps all parties to better understand compliance with standards. He also works with governments, workers and employers to strengthen capacity.

UN news: Currently, there is generalized uncertainty about prices, the imposition of imported goods, especially in the United States. How is the clothing sector affected?

Sara Park: For the moment, we do not know what the impact will be. Governments monitor the situation. Employers and, of course, unions are worried.

It is extremely difficult for factories, because uncertainty means that they cannot plan even in the short term, because they do not know what orders they will have. They are also concerned about the payment of workers.

Better factories registered at work mainly provide jobs in the formal sector; If they close, these jobs can go through the informal sector where workers have fewer protections.

In countries like Jordan, for example, migrants constitute the majority of the workforce in the clothing industry, most of them come from South and Southeast Asia.

UN news: How does this uncertainty have an impact on investment in the world clothing industry?

Sara Park: During periods of crisis or uncertainty, the investment generally stops. One of the concerns is that factories stop investing in improving working conditions, which could affect safety and health at work.

For example, thermal stress is a serious problem. Recently, in Pakistan, temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius, it is necessary to take measures to protect workers. This may not happen if the investment dries up.

UN news: How about a worker of the clothes who worried about his work?

Sara Park: We understand that this is a concern for many workers. However, the work of the ILO continues to ensure that workers are protected and that the ILO remains in these countries and undertakes to improve the conditions of all workers in different sectors.

We will continue to promote social dialogue, because this is how improvements can be made at the factory, the sector and national.

2025 High -level political forumor HLPF follows two recent United Nations successful conferences focused on vital development issues: one in June in Nice, France, dedicated to the protection of the oceansand another maintained Seville, Spain, was focused on the financing of sustainable initiatives.

The Seville meeting ended with a appeal to action: to urgently approach the enormous $ 4,000 billion in annual financing funding necessary to reach the SDGs. He also highlighted the urgent need for investment and in -depth reform of the global financial system.

Held under the auspices of the UN Economic and social council (Ecosoc), the forum take place From July 14 to 23 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Here are five key elements to know about this year’s forum:

1. It is a question of accelerating the action

HLPF is the main United Nations platform to follow global progress Sustainable development objectives. It meets each year to review the efforts of countries, share solutions and put pressure for more rapid measures to achieve the objectives of 2030

THE 2025 Forum Subject under the theme:

Advance sustainable, inclusive, scientific solutions based on evidence for 2030 agenda For sustainable development and its sustainable development goals leaving no one behind.

This reflects a growing emergency feeling. With the 2030 deadline quickly approaching, the forum will focus on practical and data -oriented strategies to fill the implementation gaps – in particular in the face of the global crisis that meets, including climate change, inequality and economic instability.

2. Five SDGs under the spotlight

Each year, the HLPF performs in -depth examinations on selected objectives. In 2025, the emphasis will be placed on::

ODD 3: Good health and well-being

Odd 5: gender equality

ODD 8: Decent work and economic growth

SDG 14: Life underwater

SDG 17: partnerships for objectives

These objectives cover a wide range of questions – public health and gender equity with economic resilience and marine conservation.

The ODD 17, which is examined each year, underlines the importance of revitalizing global partnerships and improving the means of implementation – including funding, that the nations signed up last month in Seville.

3. Countries will share their progress, voluntarily

A characteristic of the HLPF is the voluntary national journals (VNR)-self-assessment of the Member States on their progress towards the SDGs. In 2025, dozens of countries should present their VNRs, providing information on the persistent achievements and challenges.

These criticisms promote transparency, peer learning and responsibility. They also provide a platform to civil society and other stakeholders to engage directly with governments on development priorities.

VNR Labs – Interactive sessions focused on national criticism – Create a space for dialogue, innovation and collaboration

4. These are not only governments

Although the HLPF is an intergovernmental platform of the United Nations, it brings together a diversified range of votes, in particular young groups, local authorities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, academics, private sector and agencies of the United Nations system.

A rich program of secondary events, exhibitions and round tables. This inclusive approach reflects the spirit of the 2030 program, which recognizes that sustainable development is a universal and shared company.

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 The final countdown

With only five years to deliver the 2030 program, the HLPF 2025 marks a critical inflection point.

It is more than an annual recording. This year’s session arrives at a time when science, solidarity and urgent action must converge. It will help set the tone for the next summit of sustainable development objectives in 2027, where world leaders will take stock of collective progress and determine the final push around 2030.

What is happening now – at this time limit of two thirds – will shape whether the SDGs will make a global promise or will become a missed opportunity.