The Alliance 8.7 Supply Chains Action Group held its second global meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 15th May. Over 140 participants, including Government representatives from 19 countries and over 40 Alliance 8.7 Partner Organisations, came together to discuss the way forward to achieve SDG Target 8.7.

The Alliance 8.7 community was honoured to receive the First Lady of Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Dominique Ouattara at this high-level event together with many other distinguished guests and experts in the field.

Two years after the first meeting in Berlin, participants took stock of progress achieved and the challenges ahead, focusing on the need for strong advocacy and partnerships, capacity building and the development of practical tools. The need to accelerate action in specific sectors such as mining, fishing and the garment industry was also addressed. They also identified data and research gaps, analysed fair recruitment policies and explored the potential for collaboration at the lower tiers of supply chains.

The meeting served to share best practice and foster a common vision on the most urgent needs to address to accelerate progress towards the achievement of SDG target 8.7. On this basis, the Action Group adopted a new workplan for 2020-2021.

We will share a full report of the meeting shortly.