Mr. President of the Dominican Republic,
Mr. Minister of Labour and President of the Regional Meeting,
Vice-Presidents representing governments, employers, and workers,
Ministers, delegates, social partners, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning — and a warm welcome to you all.
It is a great honour to open the 20th Americas Regional Meeting here in Punta Cana. The Dominican Republic, at the crossroads of the Americas, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and growing economy is a fitting host for this important gathering.
We meet at a time of great complexity and profound transformation; globally, regionally, and within the multilateral system itself, including our own Organization.
But above all, we are here to exchange and focus on action: to shape practical, forward-looking policies that will advance inclusive, just, and sustainable societies, driven by sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to President Luis Abinader for honouring us with his presence, and to Minister of Labour Eddy Olivares Ortega, as well as the people of the Dominican Republic, for their generous hospitality and steadfast support.
This is the first regional meeting under the ILO’s new format, reflecting our commitment to making regional dialogue more impactful.
Colleagues,
It has been seven years since we last gathered in Panama in 2018. Since then, we have witnessed both remarkable advances and persistent, even deepening, challenges.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment. It disrupted economies and labour markets and exposed deep structural weaknesses.
Today, we face a convergence of overlapping crises:
- climate change,
- digital and technological disruption,
- demographic shifts,
- rising migration pressures, and
- increasing geopolitical uncertainty.
Let me highlight some of the most urgent challenges facing many countries in the Americas:
- Inequality and poverty remain entrenched. Despite progress, Latin America and the Caribbean is still the most unequal region in the world. Over 170 million people live in poverty, including 66 million in extreme poverty, with nearly half of all workers in the informal economy.
- Productivity has stagnated, largely unchanged since the 1980s. This undermines wage growth and global competitiveness.
- Growth is slowing. Projected regional growth of 2.5% by 2025 is not enough to generate quality jobs at scale.
- Child labour has declined by 30% since 2016 but 7.3 million children are still engaged in it.
- Employment recovery post-pandemic has been uneven. In some countries, up to 95% of new jobs are informal.
- 85% of Indigenous peoples, are informally employed, despite the region’s leadership in ratifying Convention No. 169.
- Gender inequality persists. Women perform 75% of unpaid care work, face higher unemployment, and earn just 59 cents for every dollar earned by men.
- Youth unemployment exceeds 25% in several countries. 60% of young workers are in informal employment.
- High inflation has eroded real wages.
- Climate change is displacing jobs and threatening livelihoods through floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.
- Digital transformation offers new opportunities, but millions of SMEs and workers lack the infrastructure and skills to benefit.
Colleagues,
These challenges are serious, but they can be overcome.
We must consolidate economic growth so that social progress does not stagnate. Sustainable development is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is the path to productivity, diversification, and shared prosperity.
Fighting inequality and poverty is not just a moral imperative, it is a strategic one.
One truth remains clear:
Social justice is not a luxury, it is the foundation of peace, stability, and dignity.
Excellencies,
We need bold, forward-looking policies, rooted in realism, inclusion, and solidarity. We must support not only the most vulnerable, but also the middle classes, who too often feel forgotten and unprotected.
This means:
- Tackling the root causes of informality and inequality.
- Closing gaps in access to education, social protection, and labour rights.
- Creating enabling environments for sustainable enterprises
- Investing in the green, digital, and care economies to generate quality jobs.
And let me be clear:
Tripartism and social dialogue are not optional, they are essential.
They are the foundation of democratic legitimacy, resilient institutions, and inclusive policymaking. They are our best tools for navigating the transitions ahead, from informality to formality, from exclusion to inclusion.
The ILO is ready.
We will continue to offer strong, inclusive leadership in the world of work with our normative and non-normative means of action. We remain a unique and legitimate forum for tripartism, social dialogue, and international cooperation.
We bring to the table:
- our robust normative system,
- deep policy expertise,
- technical cooperation capacity,
- and innovative initiatives, such as:
- the Global Coalition for Social Justice
- the Regional Initiative on the Elimination of Child Labour,
- the Social Dialogue Initiative,
- FORLAC 2.0 for transitions to formality, and
- SCORE, boosting productivity in enterprises.
- The Skills’ Passport
Colleagues,
This meeting is our opportunity to send a strong message from Alaska to Ushuaia and beyond:
Productive employment, decent work and social justice are not negotiable.
They are urgent priorities.
Let us use these three days to shape a shared vision, a roadmap that speaks not only to institutions, but to every woman, man, and young person in the Americas who seeks dignity, and opportunities.
Thank you for your presence.
And above all, thank you for your unwavering commitment to the mission and values of the ILO.
I wish you a productive and inspiring Regional Meeting.
Thank you.