Strengthening the voice of employers' organizations: The key to public policymaking and development in Ibero-American countries

Madrid (ILO News) – The Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), represented by its Director, María Paz Anzorreguy, participated in the 34th Meeting of Presidents of Ibero-American Business Organizations, held at the headquarters of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) in Madrid, in the context of the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government.

The meeting, organized by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) and the Council of Ibero-American Business Organizations (CEIB), brought together 29 business leaders from 22 countries to address the region’s main economic, institutional and labour-related challenges and define shared priorities to promote productive development and formal employment.

© Organización Internacional de Empleadores (OIE)

© Organización Internacional de Empleadores (OIE)

Strengthening the voice of employers in democratic institutions and social dialogue

One of the central themes of the meeting was the role of employers’ organizations in strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring their effective participation in public policymaking.

The discussions highlighted the importance of strong, independent and representative employers’ organizations capable of conveying the needs and perspectives of the business community in decision-making processes and contributing to consensus-building through social dialogue.

María Paz Anzorreguy, Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP), emphasized ACT/EMP’s commitment to continuing its work with employers’ organizations to strengthen their representativeness, independence, legitimacy and relevance within their societies. She stressed that strengthening the capacities of these organizations also contributes to reinforcing the institutions and social dialogue that democracy requires

© Organización Internacional de Empleadores (OIE)

© Organización Internacional de Empleadores (OIE)

At ACT/EMP, we want to continue working with you to strengthen business organizations so that they become increasingly representative, independent, legitimate and relevant to their societies. By strengthening the capacities of these organizations, we are also strengthening the institutions and social dialogue that democracy needs. María Paz Anzorreguy, Director of the ILO Bureau for Employers’ Activities (ACT/EMP)

In line with these priorities, ACT/EMP works to strengthen the institutional capacities of employers’ organizations and promote their effective participation in the formulation of economic, social and labour policies, as well as in creating enabling environments for sustainable enterprises and decent work.

Business Priorities for the Development of Ibero-America

One of the main outcomes of the meeting was the adoption of the 2026 Madrid Declaration, which sets out shared priorities for strengthening legal certainty, competitiveness and productivity, advancing the formalization of the economy, developing skills and promoting social dialogue.

These priorities are closely aligned with the ILO’s mandate, particularly in the areas of formal employment, skills development, social dialogue and the promotion of sustainable enterprises.

The Declaration was presented to the Ibero-American Secretary-General, Andrés Allamand, for submission to the Heads of State and Government gathered at the 30th Ibero-American Summit, with the aim of bringing the perspectives and proposals of employers’ organizations into the regional political dialogue.

Participation in this meeting reflects ACT/EMP’s ongoing commitment to supporting employers’ organizations across Ibero-America in strengthening their institutional capacities and enhancing their contribution to sustainable economic and social development.

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