Governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations, and international partners have adopted a new Global Framework for Action to accelerate the elimination of child labour, calling for stronger implementation of international labour standards and enhanced enforcement mechanisms.

The Framework, unveiled at the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour held in Marrakech from 11 to 13 February 2026, reinforces the International Labour Organisation’s Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), while emphasising the need for strengthened institutions, social dialogue, and effective coordination among stakeholders.

“At the current pace, we will not reach the goal of eliminating child labour by 2030,” ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo said at the opening session. “The challenge is not the absence of solutions but the implementation of what works at scale.”

An estimated 138 million children remain in child labour worldwide, including 54 million in hazardous work, underscoring the urgency of the initiative. The Marrakesh Framework aims to scale up interventions that have been proven effective in combating child labour and to address both its root causes and emerging challenges.

The Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, said the framework “will enable us to join forces and work together with focus and determination to eradicate child labour globally, specifically in sectors where urgent action is needed, such as agriculture.”

The Framework emphasises prevention, particularly for children aged 5 to 11 and those in rural areas, where most child labour occurs in agriculture. Key measures include expanding universal access to free, compulsory, and quality basic education; strengthening universal social protection systems for children and families; and promoting decent work for adults and youth.

It also recognises that child labour is both a cause and consequence of poverty and is shaped by structural factors such as lack of decent work and gaps in protection and services. As a result, the Framework calls for integrated, multidimensional responses that link education, skills development, employment, and social protection.

Emerging challenges are highlighted as well, including technology-facilitated commercial sexual exploitation of children, which requires robust regulatory and policy responses to protect minors. The Framework sets clear expectations for monitoring and accountability, including improved data collection and regular measurement of progress using agreed indicators.

While Africa has been recognised as a source of innovation and good practice, it has the highest prevalence and absolute numbers of children in child labour, requiring particular focus and support, according to the Framework.

The Marrakesh Framework builds on and complements the 2022 Durban Call to Action, which remains relevant but has not been fully implemented. It underscores that eliminating child labour must remain a priority within international sustainable development frameworks through 2030 and beyond. The Framework calls for sustained political leadership, financing, and accountability to ensure progress continues post-2030.