GENEVA – During the pivotal 356th session of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Dominican Minister of Labor Eddy Olivares Ortega delivered a robust affirmation of the nation’s dedication to advancing decent work and implementing inclusive labor policies on the global stage. Addressing the assembly, Minister Olivares characterized the ILO’s newly unveiled 2026–2029 Development Cooperation Strategy as both a timely and pragmatic framework, perfectly attuned to a world grappling with financial limitations and complex societal issues. He articulated that the strategy’s focus on fostering innovation, cultivating strategic alliances, and demanding measurable outcomes provides a critical pathway to confront pervasive regional challenges, including widespread informal employment, the necessity for sustainable job creation, gaps in social protection systems, and stagnating productivity. Beyond outlining the strategy’s merits, the Minister championed the amplified role of South-South and triangular cooperation as vital mechanisms for the exchange of proven best practices among developing nations. Concurrently, he called for the fortification of partnerships with international financial entities and the private sector to mobilize essential resources. Olivares Ortega further highlighted the Dominican Republic’s established role as a regional leader in pioneering social dialogue and executing meaningful labor reforms across Central America. Concluding his address, he reaffirmed the nation’s steadfast endorsement of the ILO’s tripartite model—uniting governments, employers, and workers—as the indispensable cornerstone for constructing a more equitable and inclusive future of work globally.