MINISTER of Labour Joseph Hamilton on Thursday had virtual discussions with Special Assistant to the United States President and Coordinator for the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, Marcela Escobari, which focused on his impending participation in the Hemispheric Meeting on Regular Pathways for Labour Migration.

According to the Labour Ministry, Minister Hamilton is expected to be at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mexico City on June 25, 2024 for the forum, which is a collaborative effort between the government of Mexico and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The objective of the forum is to help foster regional cooperation to address migration challenges effectively, and uphold the rights and dignity of all migrants.

Thursday’s discussions concerned the LA Declaration framework and its current momentum, the US perspective and efforts related to lawful pathways, lawful pathways opportunities and challenges in Guyana, and how the US can aid the government’s efforts in addressing Guyana’s migration issue.

Earlier this month, Minister Hamilton met with Ambassador of the United Mexican States (Mexico) to Guyana Mauricio Vizcaino Crespo, where they had similar discussions.

This meeting in Mexico will bring together governments and the private sector from across the Americas to identify opportunities to expand and diversify regular pathways for labour migration within the hemisphere.

Furthermore, it will provide participants with an opportunity to advance mechanisms that match supply with demand in the labour markets of the Americas by bringing together business leaders from the hemisphere to share experiences around ethical hiring and labour linkage programmes.

Guyana and Mexico established diplomatic relations on March 1, 1973, and have since enjoyed a progressively friendly relationship, which was strengthened further with the establishment of the Embassy of Mexico in Georgetown in February 2009.