Panama City, October 20, 2026. Within the framework of the 18th Ministerial Forum for Development in Latin America and the Caribbean and the 7th Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, the side event 'Promoting Labour Inclusion Through Social Protection: Policy Design Recommendations' was held.

One of the main milestones of the event was the launch of the publication that gave its name to the session, prepared by ECLAC within the framework of the ECLAC-BMZ/GIZ project 'Productive, Ecologically and Socially Just Economic Transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean'. The document, presented by Andrés Espejo, Economic Affairs Officer, gathers recommendations to strengthen the coordination between labour inclusion policies and social protection systems. These proposals emerged from the process of exchange and reflection developed within the Working Group on 'Promoting Labour Inclusion Through Social Protection' of the Regional Conference on Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event featured the participation of the Vice-Minister of Labour and Workforce Development of Panama, Ana Soberón Tejada; the Vice-Minister of Social Development of Uruguay, Federico Graña; and the Deputy Director of the Social Development Directorate Supérate of the Dominican Republic, Addys Then. Their interventions provided an opportunity to share experiences and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for advancing towards more integrated policies that promote access to quality employment and strengthen social protection in the region.

The publication is available for consultation and download here.