Statutory meetings and Workshop

INTRODUCTION

Building on Curaçao’s successful presidency of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), we are honored to welcome our colleagues and partners to a three-day program marking the conclusion of our mandate. The agenda will comprise two meetings of the Board, the General Assembly, and a high-level workshop with the full participation of all delegations.

Pursuant to Article 3 of the AICESIS Statutes (currently in force), which mandates the Association to “encourage and promote dialogue and exchanges between its members” and to convene meetings that foster social and economic development, the workshop will bring together AICESIS members, representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO), and international experts to examine the opportunities, risks, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of work.

The 2025 AICESIS statutory meetings in Willemstad, Curaçao (October 30–31) occur at a pivotal juncture. As digital transformation accelerates and labor markets evolve, the imperative to renew the social contract in the age of AI has become more urgent. Recent interventions by the United Nations Secretary-General and the ILO Director-General have emphasized this priority. Deliberations on fair platform work at the ILO’s 113th International Labour Conference (June 2025) elicited exceptional engagement across constituents, signaling the breadth of concern regarding decent work in the digital economy.

While the statutory meetings are closed to the public and reserved exclusively for the member delegations of AICESIS, the Social and Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao will host curated opportunities for participants to experience the island. These include a sunset tour, a guided exploration of the city, and occasions to experience the vibrant atmosphere of Otrobanda—the historic heart of Willemstad. Delegates are encouraged to walk through the city center, explore its cultural offerings, and discover the rich heritage that Curaçao proudly shares with the world.

This year’s gathering will also mark an orderly transition: the AICESIS presidency will pass from the Latin American and Caribbean region, represented by the SER of Curaçao, to the European region—affirming the Association’s commitment to inclusive global leadership and interregional cooperation.

By combining high-level analysis with structured, interactive dialogue, the program aims to generate concrete, actionable recommendations; to advance AICESIS’s mission of strengthening global social dialogue; and to showcase Curaçao’s unique capabilities and potential as a distinguished and dynamic host country.