President Juan Manuel Santos offered congratulations to the incoming director of the International Labor Organization (ILO), despite Colombia’s vice president losing his bid for the top position in the United Nations-affiliated agency.
“First of all congratulations to [Guy] Ryder,” said Santos referring to the ILO’s new director general, a former trade union leader from England. “I will say that Colombia is willing to work with you.”
Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon was among the candidates in the running for the position, reaching the fourth round of voting.
“I also want to congratulate the Chancellor and Vice President Angelino Garzon, because I think they ran a good campaign, which left the name of our country in good standing,” Santos said during a press conference. “Having become one of the three frontrunners, along with [the candidates from] France and England, who won, shows how Colombia is playing an increasingly important role in the world today.”
Garzon has long been involved in Colombia‘s labor sector and has previously served as the Minister of Labor and Social Security, governor of the department of Cauca and Colombian ambassador to the UN.
Guy Ryder, who previously acted as general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, won 30 of 56 votes in the election that would see him serve a five year term beginning in October.
According to their website, “the ILO is the international organization responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labor standards.” It brings together employers, governments and workers to shape labor policies.
“Our duty to the poorest and the most vulnerable must be paramount in the journey ahead,” Ryder said in a public statement.
