Spanish
The 20th American Regional Meeting (ARM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) concluded on October 3 with the adoption of the Punta Cana Declaration, a tripartite commitment to democracy, peace, social justice and decent work as central pillars for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future of work in the Americas.
In the closing session, representatives of governments, employers, and workers endorsed the Declaration, which defines the regional action priorities in the face of the profound transformations affecting the world of work, from climate change and technological acceleration to persistent informality, inequality, and the weakening of democratic institutions.
“This meeting has shown that democracy, peace, social dialogue and decent work are not just ideals: they are the pillars of sustainable development and lasting social justice,” noted ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. “The Punta Cana Declaration will guide our common work in the coming years.”
Based on the ILO Centenary Declaration and the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in its amended version of 2022, the Punta Cana Declaration establishes regional priorities for the ILO and its constituents, in line with the ILO Strategic Plan for 2026–2029. These include: job creation, social protection and sustainable development; strengthening democratic institutions, respect for fundamental rights and social dialogue; promotion of sustainable enterprises; just transitions towards resilient societies; and public policy strategies for skills development and vocational training.
Delegates also called for action to advance gender equality, eradicate violence and harassment in the workplace, strengthen wage policies—including the operationalization of living wages—and implement national care policies that promote decent work and gender equity.
The Declaration presents a set of non-exhaustive guidelines to guide the ILO's regional implementation plan. These include the transition from informal to formal employment, the promotion of fiscal investment policies and productivity ecosystems for decent work, the strengthening of technical and vocational training frameworks, and the promotion of safe, orderly and regular labor migration policies.
It also advocates for a region free of child labor, promotes gender equality, inclusion, and diversity in workplaces, and fosters environments conducive to sustainable enterprises—in particular, MSMEs—and the leveraging of digital transformations with a decent work approach. It also underlines the importance of strengthening the capacities of employers' and workers' organizations as essential pillars of democratic participation and social resilience. These priorities should guide the ILO's tripartite action in the region, without prejudice to the inclusion of other relevant measures that contribute to the overall objectives of the Declaration.
The Declaration also includes a call for the ILO to develop a regional implementation plan in consultation with its constituents, with clear goals aligned with the Declaration's priorities, which should be presented to the ILO Governing Body in 2026.
Director-General Houngbo thanked the Government of the Dominican Republic for hosting the RRA and praised the strong spirit of tripartite cooperation demonstrated by the delegates.
"The energy and consensus we have seen this week reflect the urgency —and the opportunity— of this moment. With tripartism and solidarity, we can achieve results that truly improve people's lives," he said.
During the closing ceremony, the delegates expressed their gratitude to the Government and the people of the Dominican Republic for their warm hospitality and for successfully hosting the 20th American Regional Meeting.
The ILO is the United Nations agency specializing in world of work issues. The 20th RRA brought together more than 300 participants —including ministers, senior officials, and leaders of employers' and workers' organizations— from across the Americas region.
