In a landmark event aimed at strengthening and highlighting trade unions’ role in development, trade unions affiliated to the ITUC-Asia Pacific and the International Trade Union Confederation – Nepal Affiliates Council (ITUC-NAC) convened in Kathmandu, Nepal on 19-20 May 2024 for a valuable workshop titled "Time for 8, Time to Build Trade Unions' Capacity to Accelerate the SDGs." The event aimed to enhance the role of trade unions in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forward, with special focus on the SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.

Trade union representatives converged at the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 20 to 23 February 2024 to raise workers’ key development justice demands on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals under review this year – Goals 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and 17 (Partnership for the Goals).