ILAB Involvement in International Organizations

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

APEC was established in 1989 to promote economic cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific region. Decisions made within APEC are by consensus only. APEC has no treaty obligations required of its 21 member economies.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs of the Department of Labor heads the U.S. Government delegation to APEC's Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG), which addresses issues dealing with worker training, education, human resources, productivity and management.

Within the HRDWG, the Labor and Social Protection Network (LSPN) promotes strong and flexible labor markets and strengthening social protection, including social safety nets, through evidence-based interventions, collaboration, technical co-operation and the provision of labor market and social protection information and analysis to address sustainable human resource development across APEC member economies.

A DOL-funded APEC conference, Innovations in Human Resource and Economic Development: Ensuring Sustainable Growth in the 21st Century, was held in Manila, Philippines, September 17-19, 2007. The report, Promising Practices in Human Resource and Economic Development in APEC Member Economies provides an overview of the conference and highlights from each of the plenary sessions and workshops.

While Peru is officially hosting APEC in 2008, the next meeting of the HRDWG will take place in the Philippines in April 2008. President Bush recently announced that the United States will host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011.