Inauguration on the eve of the second Inter-American Conference of Labor Ministers in Colombia

Inauguration on the eve of the second Inter-American Conference of Labor Ministers in Colombia

With the participation of 20 ministers and ministers of labor, deputy ministers and ambassadors of the member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Vigésima Segunda Conferencia Interamericano de Jefes de la Carta Lavoral en Colombia began. The Minister of Labor, Gloria Inés Ramírez, organized the inauguration of the event, whose central theme is “The future of work in America: Ensayando la paz, la justice social y la acción climatica”.

The conference was attended by distinguished leaders such as Néstor Méndez, Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, and Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the OIT. This ministerial meeting is an opportunity to discuss working decisions across the hemisphere and establish consensus on regional priorities and actions spanning peace, social justice and climate action.

Ramírez emphasized the importance of the conference in articulating the regional agenda, underlining the need to discuss technologies and the interrelationship between training, education and work. He also highlighted the relevance of approaching AI from an ethical perspective, ensuring that machines complement and do not replace humanity.

During the event, topics such as the dignity of work, productive transformation, labor migration and reconversion with clean energy will be addressed. Ramírez concluded that accelerating changes in the work environment present many challenges in terms of opportunities for workers.

Néstor Méndez, for his part, responded to the need for ministers to dialogue to advance the compromises established in the Bogotá Declaration and the Action Plan. This plan includes priorities such as job inclusion and the regulation of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence.

The OAS Secretary General said that the conference will not only focus on traditional labor issues, but will also integrate crucial issues such as social justice and climate action. This will ensure that future labor policies respond to economic needs and social and environmental changes in the region.