Labour and social affairs ministers from across Ibero-America have adopted a series of regional commitments to strengthen care systems, promote the social and solidarity economy and address the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation in the world of work.
The commitments, agreed at the Sixth Ibero-American Ministerial Conference on Labour and the Fourth Ibero-American Ministerial Conference on Social Affairs and Inclusive Development, held on 2-3 July in Avilés, Spain, will feed into the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government. The International Labour Organization (ILO), represented by the ILO Office for Spain in collaboration with the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, participated in both meetings, providing technical support and policy expertise.
Among the key outcomes was the adoption of the Avilés Declaration, which includes the first Ibero-American Commitment on the Social and Solidarity Economy (2026-2030). The declaration sets out a shared roadmap to promote quality employment, strengthen the role of the social and solidarity economy, improve working conditions in the care sector and advance the formalization of employment.
Ministers also agreed to strengthen cooperation on the governance of artificial intelligence and the digital transformation of work. The declaration calls for the safe, responsible and human-centred development and use of AI, with safeguards for labour rights, data protection, equal opportunities and non-discrimination. It also recognizes the need to strengthen regulatory frameworks for platform work and ensure transparency and human oversight in algorithmic management.
The Fourth Ibero-American Ministerial Conference on Social Affairs and Inclusive Development adopted the Ibero-American Charter on Care and Support, placing care at the centre of public policy and recognizing it as a right, a necessity, a form of work and an essential public good. The Charter provides a regional framework for strengthening care systems through policies grounded in human rights, gender equality, inclusion, autonomy and shared responsibility.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of investing in care systems as a driver of social inclusion, gender equality and decent work, while promoting a more balanced distribution of care responsibilities among governments, families, the private sector, communities and civil society.
The ILO welcomed the adoption of the declarations and reaffirmed its readiness to continue supporting Ibero-American countries through policy advice, technical cooperation and social dialogue to advance decent work and social justice across the region.
© SEGIB
© SEGIB
