The 15th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) will take place from 4-7 December 2011 at the Kyoto International Convention Centre (KICC), Kyoto, Japan.

The meeting is expected to be attended by about 500 people, representing more than 46 countries in Asia and the Pacific and the Arab States and Territories in West Asia. Among those scheduled to attend are Prime Ministers, government ministers, representatives of workers’ and employers’ organizations and academics.

The Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Mr Yoshihiko Noda is due to give the Keynote Statement at the opening ceremony, on Sunday 4 December. This will be followed by a speech by the Director General of the ILO, Mr Juan Somavia.

The high level segments of the meeting will also include Keynote Addresses by H.E. Mr Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Timor Leste, and Dr Ahmed Luqman, Director General of the Arab Labour Organization. Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of ASEAN is also expected to give a special speech.

The four-day meeting will include a Leaders Forum on Youth Employment that will bring together young leaders and advocates from across the region to discuss the challenges faced by young people in finding decent work, enhancing their employability and contributing to the economic and social development of their countries.

Three thematic panels will discuss the co-ordination of macroeconomic, employment and social protection policies; the development of productive employment, sustainable enterprises and skills; and promoting rights at work and social dialogue.

In addition there will be three special side events. The Government of Japan will host a session on Employment-led Crisis Response, and the ILO will organize two sessions, on Green Jobs and Partnerships.

“This will be the first opportunity of its kind that leaders in Asia Pacific have had to meet since the current employment and economic turbulence hit”, said Sachiko Yamamoto, ILO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “Asia will not be immune from this, and it is vital that policy makers ensure that their people do not loose the social and economic gains they have made. That means job creation, social inclusion and safeguarding rights must be at the heart of any effective crisis response measures”.

The ILO is the United Nations specialized agency dealing with work and work-related issues. It has a unique tripartite membership structure, under which governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations act as equal partners, making decisions representative of the real economy.

The APRM is normally held only every four years. The last meeting was in Busan, South Korea in 2006.

Full details of the meeting and of media accreditation arrangements can be found at: /global/meetings-and-events/regional-meetings/asia/aprm-15/lang--en/index.htm and by following ILONEWS on Twitter.

For more information please contact:

Sophy Fisher
Regional Information Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Email
Tel: + 662 (0) 2288 2482

Krisdaporn Singhaseni
Information Officer
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Email
Tel: + 662 (0) 2288 1664

Farah Dakhlallah
Regional Outreach and Advocacy Officer
ILO Regional Office for Arab States
Email
Tel: +961 1 752400