–during historic first visit to Guyana

THE Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, has concluded a significant three-day official visit to Guyana. This is his first trip to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country since assuming office in October 2022.
The visit, held from April 6–8, 2025, was anchored by the 13th ILO Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers and served to strengthen the ILO’s longstanding partnership with the Caribbean region

Hosted under the theme “Decent Work for Resilience: Securing the Future of Caribbean Labour,” the high-level meeting brought together Labour Ministers, senior officials, and tripartite stakeholders from across the Caribbean.
The event served as a vital platform for dialogue on key regional labour concerns, particularly in light of ongoing global challenges. In his keynote address during the opening ceremony on April 7, 2025, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Houngbo emphasised the importance of inclusive collaboration and reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to the Caribbean’s development agenda.

“The discussions here at this 13th Caribbean Labour Ministers’ Meeting will help us identify the priorities we must set and the strategies we can adopt to effectively renew a new Social Contract as we prepare for the Second World Social Summit,” he said.
“I will stand with the Caribbean in ensuring that the realities of the subregion are prioritised within the ILO global agenda and beyond.” One of the major highlights of the Director-General’s visit was the signing of Guyana’s third Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP). The DWCP is a tripartite agreement aimed at promoting decent work through employment creation, social protection, labour rights, and enhanced social dialogue.

The signing, which took place in the presence of Houngbo, was conducted by representatives from the Government, employers, and workers’ organisations, with the technical and strategic support of the ILO.
Beyond the Labour Ministers’ meeting, Houngbo also paid high-level courtesy calls on two of the region’s leaders. On April 8, 2025, he met with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM.
During these engagements, the parties discussed critical regional issues such as climate change, labour migration, digital transformation, and the urgent need for a just transition—ensuring that no one is left behind as the Caribbean adapts to global shifts in work, technology, and the environment.

The Director-General’s engagements throughout the visit reinforced the ILO’s support for regional cooperation, strengthened social dialogue, and highlighted the importance of ensuring Caribbean perspectives are represented in global decision-making.
As the region prepares for the 113th International Labour Conference and the Second World Social Summit, this meeting serves as a crucial step in aligning strategies and amplifying the Caribbean’s voice on the world stage. The ILO continues to play a pivotal role in the Caribbean’s development journey, supporting labour standards, policy formulation, and inclusive economic growth.

This historic visit to Guyana represents a renewed momentum in that partnership, as the region seeks to build resilience and ensure decent work for all. The ILO is a United Nations (UN) agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. Founded in October 1919 under the League of Nations, it is one of the first and oldest specialised agencies of the UN