At this year’s Meeting, top leaders of labor, management and the government from some 40 member states in Asia and the Pacific will come together to discuss how to achieve ILO’s goal of realizing decent work in today’s era of globalization from the aspects of ILO’s four major strategic tasks which are respect for basic labor rights, job creation, social protection and social dialogue. Furthermore, the Meeting will stage a special session of labor ministers where “Developing Workers’ Skills for Decent Jobs in a Globalizing Context” will be discussed, since job competence development is one of the most important means to link realize decent work in the region. I believe that the Meeting will provide an opportunity for all of to strengthen cooperation between and development of labor, management and the government in the Asia- Pacific region where more than 60% of the global population reside and which is the most dynamically developing region in the world.

In close cooperation with the ILO, the Korean government will strive to make the upcoming ILO Fourteenth Asian Regional Meeting a significant and memorable event for all participants. I look forward to seeing you in the beautiful port city of Busan on August 29th.