CAF’s support of the region’s youth was highlighted at the 25th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments

The 25^th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Governments, held on October 27 and 28 in the city of Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, was the context in which various activities and honors took place, recognizing the role of CAF - Development Bank of Latin America in the region's economic and social development, especially through its support of work and educational inclusion of youth.

This year, the Ibero-American Summit was celebrated under the slogan of Youth, Entrepreneurship and Education, three interrelated bases on which CAF works in the region through various initiatives and programs. Thanks to these contributions, the Ibero-American Youth Organization (OIJ,Spanish acronym), which gathers the Departments of Youth of the various countries, distinguished CAF's Executive President, Enrique Garcia, as First Youth Ambassador of Ibero-America. The recognition took place during the OIJ's institutional refounding, which will go on to be called International Agency of Ibero-American Youth.

The Ibero-American Summit was also the venue of the official presentation of the report "Latin American Economic Outlook 2017 - Youth, Skills and Entrepreneurship" (LEO). The publication's 2017 annual edition, which CAF undertakes as of 10 years ago together with ECLAC and OECD, addresses the issue of youth, their skills and opportunities in the region. It was presented by the Ibero-American Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan, who gave the opening speech, as well as by President Garcia, ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena, and OECD Chief of Staff Gabriela Ramos. The presentation also saw the participation of Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos, and the Peruvian President, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

CAF also formed part of the 11^th Ibero-American Business Meeting, the business forum which gathers leaders of the main Ibero-American companies to contribute a business and economic perspective of the region.

There, Garcia moderated a panel called "The impact of the fourth Industrial Revolution on the future of business." Among the issues addressed, they highlighted the analysis of the new challenges facing Latin America in a context of rapid changes characterized by the emergence of new technologies, the new dynamics of the global market, the need to undertake a productive transformation and how businesses can successfully adapt to the new technological challenges.

The panel was made up of Gabriela Ramos, Alicia Barcena, Fernando Abril-Martorell, President of Indra, José Manuel González-Páramo, BBVA Executive Board Director, and Antonio Manuel Frade Saravia, President of the Confederation of Portuguese Business.

Upon finishing the panel, the Ibero-American Secretariat General (SEGIB), together with the rest of the international organizations at the event, gave a public recognition to President Garcia for his work at the head of CAF and for his successful efforts and contribution to the region's progress.

"Enrique Garcia has understood the importance of Latin America's strategic alliances. We are proud to be his friends and to have been by his side. His contribution has changed Ibero-America," affirmed Gryspan, from SEGIB.

Another key activity during the summit was the presentation in Colombia, on behalf of CAF and The Trust for the Americas of the DIA Initiative (Democratizing Innovation in the Americas), a cooperation initiative that addresses the creation of an Innovation Laboratory for Peace in Colombia. The program will train more than 250 youth in issues of innovation, and will finance 12 noteworthy projects that contribute to supporting the peace process, generating access and opportunities for sustainable development for its communities, especially the youth.

During the ceremony, The Trust's Executive President, Linda Eddlemen, presented President Garcia with a plaque in recognition of his trajectory and committment in seeking to improve the quality of life of Latin American youth in vulnerable situations.