2025 in review — a transformative year for the IUF

A message from Kristjan Bragason, IUF Acting General Secretary

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As the year comes to an end, I would like to share some personal reflections with you.

The past year has been a period of change for the IUF. Changes in leadership took place during a challenging global moment, making 2025 a busy and demanding year for workers, trade unions, and our organization. Stepping into the role of Acting General Secretary during this time has been both humbling and inspiring. Throughout the year, I have seen first-hand the strong commitment, professionalism, and solidarity that exists across our affiliates, regions, and staff, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and support I have received.

One important focus during the year has been to strengthen how the IUF works as a global organization. We have continued to develop our engagement with transnational companies and to better coordinate this work with our political priorities and international labour standards. At the same time, we have begun a careful review of our internal structures and ways of working. This has been a thoughtful and collaborative process, aimed at building stronger foundations and ensuring that our organization remains effective, credible, and supportive of its affiliates.

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of meeting many IUF affiliates across different regions of the world. Listening directly to workers and union leaders, learning about your realities, and working together to address your challenges has been one of the most meaningful parts of my role. These exchanges, often in difficult political or economic contexts, have shown me how much we can achieve when we work collectively across borders.

The global context in which we work remains difficult. Many of us have been directly or indirectly affected by wars, pressure on human rights and trade union freedoms, the accelerating climate crisis, rising prices, and growing corporate power. Far-right groupings continue to challenge democracy, equality, and solidarity in many parts of the world. International institutions such as the ILO, which play a vital role in defending workers' and human rights, are also under increasing pressure.

In August, I had the honour of taking part in the 80-year memorial actions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Standing together with trade unionists to remember the victims of the atomic bombings was a deeply moving experience. It reminded me that the trade union movement has long been a voice for peace, human dignity, and international solidarity, and that these values must continue to guide and shape our work. As a labour movement, we must show genuine solidarity with people suffering conflict, such as in Ukraine and in Gaza. We cannot just wait until next time the conflict flares up and condemn it again. We need to actively work as a peace movement to prevent war.

What has given me confidence throughout this year is the strength of our movement and the results we achieve when we stand together. Through collective action, we have been able to push transnational companies to act more responsibly, to respect international labour and human rights standards, and to engage with unions in meaningful dialogue. At the same time, we have supported our affiliates in their efforts to defend democracy, protect trade union rights, and create more just and democratic societies.

As the year draws to a close, I want to thank you for your dedication, your solidarity, and your continued engagement with the IUF. Your work, often carried out under challenging conditions, is the foundation of everything we do as a global federation.

I wish you and your families a peaceful holiday season, time to rest and reflect, and renewed strength.

In solidarity,

Kristjan Bragason
Acting General Secretary