An analysis of progress in countering child labor notes that in 2004 there were 218 million children trapped in child labor, with 126 million being involved in hazardous work; however, the number of child laborers decreased by 11 percent globally over the last 4 years, and the number of children in hazardous work decreased 26 percent. An overview of the challenges that remain concludes that greater national commitment to ending child labor--supported by employers' and workers' organizations, and backed by a more energetic worldwide movement against child labor--can create an environment in which technical tools and frameworks for ending child labor are put to optimal use. Latin America and the Caribbean countries are making the greatest progress, as the number of children employed in these countries has declined two-thirds over the last 4 years; only 5 percent of children are now involved in work. The least progress has been made in sub-Saharan Africa, where child labor remains alarmingly high. Part II of this report reviews efforts to strengthen the ILO's largest program of technical cooperation--the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC). IPEC has continued to gain support from the donor community and has been at the forefront of the worldwide movement against child labor. IPEC has addressed the worst forms of child labor and continues to monitor child labor patterns throughout the world. The report's proposed action plan rests on three components: supporting national responses to child labor, strengthening the worldwide movement, and promoting further integration of child labor concerns within overall ILO priorities regarding decent work as a global goal. 5 figures