Introduction

Ministers and High Authorities of Social Development of the Americas will meet in Asunción, Paraguay, from July 13-14, 2016, for the Third Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Social Development within the Framework of CIDI-OAS, where they will have an opportunity to reflect on and discuss the issue of “Equity and Social Inclusion: Overcoming Inequalities for More Inclusive Societies.”

The specific goals of this event are to:

• Examine the situation of poverty and vulnerability in the Americas, with a focus on mechanisms to narrow the gaps.
• Review the toll that inequality takes on the countries of the Americas and the evolution of social investment and its implications.
• Identify successful experiences of social protection and economic inclusion systems or networks in countries of the Americas and promote exchange on said experiences via the Inter-American Social Protection Network.
• Put a mechanism in place for follow-up on implementation of the Plan of Action of the Social Charter of the Americas.
• Discuss regional contributions to the sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.