At the 20th ILO American Regional Meeting in Punta Cana (1–3 October 2025), governments, employers, and workers adopted the Punta Cana Declaration, reaffirming democracy, peace, social justice, and decent work as the foundations for inclusive and sustainable development across the Americas. Anchored in the ILO Centenary Declaration and the amended 2022 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, it outlines regional priorities aligned with the ILO Strategic Plan 2026–2029, including formalizing employment, advancing gender equality, promoting just transition and skills development, and strengthening social dialogue and democratic institutions. The Declaration also highlights the importance of cross-country collaboration, encouraging Member States to share knowledge, coordinate policies, and promote South-South and triangular cooperation to address shared challenges such as informality, inequality, and climate change. It calls on the ILO and its constituents to develop a regional implementation plan, in consultation with social partners, for submission to the ILO Governing Body in 2026.
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