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Xth ILO African Regional Meeting - Addis Ababa, 2-5 December Africa meeting opens: Decent work for Africa's development

With the challenges of reducing poverty and promoting job-centered development topping their agenda, African labour ministers and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations will open the International Labour Organization's Xth African Regional Meeting tomorrow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Press release | 01 December 2003

GENEVA (ILO News) - With the challenges of reducing poverty and promoting job-centered development topping their agenda, African labour ministers and representatives of workers' and employers' organizations will open the International Labour Organization's Xth African Regional Meeting tomorrow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Economic Commission for Africa Center (ECA), is expected to draw some 400 delegates from the ILO's 53 African member states. The meeting is scheduled to run through Friday, 5 December.

Delegates will discuss the continent's employment, development and social challenges, including employment promotion and the advancement of social protection and social dialogue. They will also consider elements of a strategic plan whose objectives are based around three directions:

  • The elimination of barriers restraining the productive potential of Africa;
  • The promotion of investments for the creation of a sound framework for the governance of labour markets, based on the ILO's fundamental principles and rights at work; and,
  • The creation of opportunities for people and their families living and working in rural areas as well as the informal economy to make their way out of poverty.
Among the highlights of the meeting will be keynote addresses by ILO Director-General Juan Somavia, who will present his report " Decent Work for Africa's Development", by H.E President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, H.E Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairman of the African Union Commission.

Media note: Journalists are cordially invited to attend the Regional Meeting. Facilities to assist print, radio, and TV journalists will be provided. For more information, contact David St John or Corinne Perthuis in Addis Ababa: Tel.: +2511/218-283 or +2511/444-454, or the ILO Department of Communication in Geneva +4122/799- 6298, e-mail: communication@ilo.org