ASEAN Urges Investment, Worker-Centric Policies for Green Jobs Advancement

ASEAN Urges Investment, Worker-Centric Policies for Green Jobs Advancement

By Jerome Aning – TheNATIONWEEK.com | October 22, 2026

Makati City, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) concluded its 2026 Green Jobs Forum with a definitive call for heightened investments, aligned skills development, and robust resource mobilization to transform regional green job commitments into tangible opportunities. The two-day forum underscored the critical need for concrete actions to ensure a just and inclusive transition to a greener economy that safeguards workers’ rights while promoting environmental sustainability.

DOLE Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, in her closing remarks, outlined the forum’s key conclusions and next steps for ASEAN Member States in advancing the ASEAN Framework and Action Plan for a Just and Inclusive Transition to Green Jobs 2025–2030. Torres emphasized that this green transition is not merely an environmental concern but a fundamental economic and labor issue, profoundly shaping enterprise operations and worker livelihoods. “Our core responsibility is to ensure this transition creates decent work opportunities for our people while providing a social protection floor to those whose jobs and livelihoods may be affected,” Torres stated.

By 2030, Torres urged, ASEAN must demonstrate measurable progress in green job creation, worker preparedness for evolving labor markets, and equitable sharing of transition benefits. She stressed the imperative of decent work and meaningful opportunities for both formal and informal workers, ensuring universal inclusion.

To translate these regional commitments into actionable initiatives, Torres highlighted three pivotal priorities emerging from the forum’s discussions:

• Targeted Investment: Directing capital towards industries with high green job generation potential.
• Skills Alignment: Strengthening the synergy between employment needs and skills development programs.
• Resource Mobilization: Securing necessary financing, technical assistance, and resources for the comprehensive implementation of the ASEAN Framework and Action Plan.

As part of these efforts, the Philippines expressed strong support for technical cooperation, specifically advocating for the mutual recognition of green skills across the region. Furthermore, the establishment of an ASEAN Green Jobs Center of Excellence was deemed crucial to assist member states in developing and implementing effective transition policies.

The ASEAN Framework and Action Plan defines “green jobs” as those that significantly enhance environmental quality, encompassing both emerging and transforming traditional sectors. Crucially, these roles must also adhere to decent work standards, including fair wages, safe conditions, social protection, social dialogue, and respect for workers’ rights.

Held under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship, the forum served as a vital platform for diverse stakeholders—including governments, employer and worker organizations, training institutions, MSMEs, development partners, and civil society—to exchange best practices and policies for greening industries while expanding decent work opportunities. The event was collaboratively organized with the Government of Australia through the Australia for ASEAN Future Initiatives and the ASEAN Secretariat.

This initiative aligns with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strategic objectives to expand employment and livelihood opportunities and enhance the skills of Filipino workers amidst rapid industrial and technological advancements.

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