ILO Policy dialogue: “Transformative Policies for Decent Work in Least Developed Countries”

In preparation for the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), the ILO convened a policy dialogue to present a new ILO report, entitled “Growth, Productive Employment and Decent Work in the LDCs”. The event has provided an opportunity for interactive discussion on spurring job intensive development in LDCs. – Tuesday 29 March 2011 from 3:00 – 6.00 p.m. in Conference Room 2 (NLB) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

In preparation for the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) The ILO convened a panel discussion (Watch the video of the event) which addressed the promotion of job intensive development in LDCs on 29 March 2011.

A new ILO report, entitled Growth, Productive Employment and Decent Work in the LDCs was presented at the event. The report, based on sectoral analyses, identifies the opportunities, strengths, and weaknesses of the current LDCs development pattern. It also provides policy options to promote job intensive growth for long term stability and sustainable development in LDCs and in country specific context.

The presentation was be followed by an interactive discussion on substantive issues contained in the report, including obstacles and constraints and identify ways in which these challenges can be overcome, as well as examples of targeted actions and initiatives which have been implemented in LDCs to spur job intensive development.

The panel discussion has served as a substantial contribution to the preparation for the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries which is to take place from 9-13 May 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. The discussion has provided an opportunity for in-depth reflection on the continued vulnerabilities faced by the LDCs, based on national circumstances, and provide suggestions for inclusion in the new programme of action being devised by the United Nations General Assembly.

List of participants

Chair

  • H.E. Ms. Marjon V. Kamara, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the UN

Opening Statements

  • Mr.Sandagdorj Erdenebileg, Acting Executive Secretary of the UN LDC IV Conference and, Chief, Policy Development, Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting Service, UN-OHRLLS
  • H.E. Mr. Gyan Chandra Acharya, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democractic Republic of Nepal to the UN and Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)

Panelists

  • Mr. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive-Director, Employment Sector, ILO
  • Ms. Norma Powell, Vice-President, Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH)
  • Mr. Kouglo Lawson Body, Director of Economic Policy, ITUC-Africa
  • Mr. Sanjesh Naidu , Economic Adviser, Pacific Islands Forum
  • Ms. Raquel de Carvalho Oliveira, Head, Division of Technical Cooperation, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Brazil