The seminar noted that commerce is one of the largest sources of employment. It underlined the need to address the labour and social consequences of issues related to commerce, such as rapid expansion of large commerce enterprises and continuing globalization, the application of advanced technologies, gender equity, etc. to promote employment worldwide. The seminar discussion included: promoting a positive approach to skills and training, effects of technological and structural change on labour- management relations and enterprise competitiveness and the timing of conducting social dialogue to prevent industrial conflicts resulting from structural and technological changes in commerce.

The seminar brought together participants from Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.