Ekkehard Ernst
Chief of the Macroeconomic Policies and Jobs Unit, International Labour Organization (Switzerland)

Ekkehard Ernst is Chief of the Macroeconomic Policies and Jobs Unit at the International Labour Organization and responsible for flagship publications such as ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook Trends report. Currently he works on policies to address the socio-economic crisis resulting from the Covid‑19 pandemic. He is also widely published on the implications of artificial intelligence, robots and blockchain applications for the future of work, and the transition to a sustainable society.

In 2017, Ekkehard co-founded Geneva Macro Labs, a platform to identify, develop and implement solutions to address global challenges and existential risks. Together with his team he brings together international thought leaders and practitioners to promote and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. He currently develops new solutions to value natural capital, notably ocean assets to support a Just Transition.

Previously, he worked at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Central Bank. Ekkehard has studied in Mannheim, Saarbrücken and Paris and holds a PhD from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. He is member of various advisory boards, including the European Parliament’s International Advisory Board of the Science and Technology Committee, the UK’s Productivity Insight Network, and The Conference Board.