President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, opened the ILO's 20th American Regional Meeting (ARM) today in Punta Cana, calling for strengthened democratic institutions, promotion of productive and decent work, and progress toward inclusive and sustainable growth across the Americas.
This Regional Meeting must be remembered as a turning point - the moment we reaffirmed that the future of work in the Americas will be inclusive, resilient, and human.
H.E. Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic
"The challenge is great, but so is the strength of our peoples when they move forward with peace, democracy, and social dialogue," President Abinader told delegates.
Running from 1 to3 October, the ARM brings together ministers, senior officials, and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations to set regional priorities that will guide both the ILO's work in the Americas and national employment and labour policies in the years ahead.
During the opening session, the ILO Director-General noted that while progress has been made in areas such as gender equality and the fight against child labour, structural challenges continue to hinder sustainable and inclusive development.
We must reconnect economic growth with the creation of productive employment and the protection of rights. That is the path to genuine social justice
Gilbert F. Houngbo, ILO Director-General
The Director-General emphasized that social justice is not an abstract ideal but the foundation for lasting peace, dignity at work, and sustainable development.
Over the three-day meeting, delegates will address priority topics including job creation and social protection, strengthening democratic governance, just transition towards resilient societies, and preparing for the future of skills and work.
Delegates also elected Mr Eddy Olivares Ortega, Minister of Labour of the Dominican Republic, as Chairperson of the Meeting. Mr Colin E. Jordan, Minister of Labour of Barbados, was elected Vice-Chairperson representing governments; Ms Laura Peña Izquierdo, President of the Board of Directors of the Employers' Confederation of the Dominican Republic (Copardom), was elected Vice-Chairperson representing employers; and Mr. Gabriel Del Río Doñé, General Secretary of the Autonomous Classist Trade Union Confederation of the Dominican Republic (CASC), was elected Vice-Chairperson representing workers.
The ARM can be followed online ILO Live.
