Every four years, the American Regional Meeting brings together political, economic and social actors from Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada and the United States. This Eighteenth meeting will focus on the themes taken up in the Director-General's report, in particular regarding progress made by countries over the past four years with the Decent Work Agenda and the principal challenges faced by the region in maintaining patterns of growth with social inclusion. Attention will be given to the role of employment and social protection policies in boosting productivity and formal employment, thus ensuring that labour rights are upheld.