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Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Labor, Charlotte M. Ponticelli, delivered remarks on behalf of the United States Wednesday, September 12th at the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The IACML is a meeting of the western hemisphere’s labor ministers, held every two years under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS) to promote hemispheric cooperation on labor issues and to implement the labor-related mandates of the Summit of the Americas.
This year’s conference focused on the theme, “Making Decent Work Central to Social and Economic Development.” Ponticelli joined officials of labor ministries from the 33 democratically elected governments in the hemisphere September 11th-13th to discuss strategies for increasing access to economic opportunities for the people of the Americas, with a focus on youth and women. They adopted a Ministerial Declaration on the conference theme and a Plan of Action, which identifies topical areas for activities corresponding to issues in the Declaration.
Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli’s remarks underscored the importance of developing a well-trained, adaptable workforce and unleashing the creativity of individuals and a vibrant private sector, as a foundation for economic growth. The existence of exploitive child labor, forced labor and human trafficking runs counter to these objectives and was also addressed. She highlighted U.S. success in these areas.
Prior to the Inaugural Session of the labor ministerial, Ponticelli attended a September 11th memorial service and unveiling of a monument in the U.S. Embassy courtyard Tuesday in honor of the victims of this tragedy.
Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli poses with ministers of labor and government officials from Central America at the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor in the Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. This year’s conference theme was “Making Decent Work Central to Social and Economic Development.” Ponticelli joined officials of labor ministries from the 33 democratically elected governments in the western hemisphere to discuss strategies for increasing access to economic opportunities for the people of the Americas, with a focus on youth and women.
Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli observes Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Tourism Howard Chin Lee and U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Roy L. Austin lay wreaths at a monument unveiling to commemorate the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. The event took place in the U.S. Embassy courtyard in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli is interviewed by a reporter from Trinidad and Tobago's TV6 about labor issues and U.S. policies related to the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor following the Embassy's September 11th ceremony.
Heads of delegations from the Western Hemisphere at the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor pose for a group photo following the Inaugural Session held on September 11, 2007 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Deputy Under Secretary Ponticelli listens to remarks from ministers and vice ministers of labor from across the Western Hemisphere at the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor September 11-13 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
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