Friend and distinguished colleague Alberto Echavarría has passed away

A dedicated and distinguished member of the IOE Management Board and ILO Governing Body, Alberto Echavarría, passed away on 11 May.

It is with deep sadness that the IOE leadership and Secretariat staff must inform you of the passing of one of our own. Alberto Echavarría, a much-respected Vice President of our Colombian member ANDI as well as a longstanding member of IOE’s leadership and the ILO Governing Body died yesterday in his home city of Medellin.

As the IOE community mourns this loss, we also take a moment to celebrate Alberto’s life and the contributions he made to defending and promoting the interests of employers in his country, region, and across the world. He was a valuable colleague - offering guidance and support, and his unwavering passion and diplomatic skills in defense of the freedom of association of employers’ organisations, in particular in Latin America.

Alberto's legacy will live on in the work he accomplished over many decades. The combat to ensure that employers’ organisations are and remain independent institutions will continue, but one of its greatest defenders will be profoundly missed.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. We will honour his memory by continuing his work and embodying the same values that he demonstrated throughout his extraordinary life.

Rest in peace, Alberto. You will be deeply missed by all of us.