CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – is pleased to announce the hosting of the Latin America and the Caribbean International Economic Forum 2025: How to return to the path of growth? to be held on January 29 and 30 at the Panama Convention Centre. This high-level event will bring together global and regional leaders to discuss and formulate strategies to promote sustainable economic growth and the well-being of people from Latin America and the Caribbean.

The forum will be attended by several leaders including Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF; Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for the Latin America and Caribbean region; Andrés Allamand, Ibero-American Secretary General; José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC; Joseph Oughourlian, President of Grupo Prisa; Gustavo Santos, Director for the Americas of UN Tourism; Susan Segal, President of the Council of the Americas; Núria Vilanova, President of CEAPI; Rebecca Bill Chavez, Director of the Inter-American Dialogue, among others.

In addition, speeches will be delivered by Mateo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy; Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former Prime Minister of Denmark, and Jeremy Rifkin, sociologist and economist, among other globally renowned figures.

Context

Latin America and the Caribbean faces structural challenges that have limited its economic and social growth for decades. Despite having vast natural resources, a young and enterprising population, and enviable energy potential, the region continues to face low growth and high inequality. The forum will address how the region can achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the coming years.

Objectives

The forum, which will serve as a meeting place between the private sector, government authorities and the multilateral sphere, will have as its main objective to identify and promote

innovative strategies that strengthen institutions, promote innovation and digitalisation, advance the transition to green energy, develop strategic infrastructure and generate inclusive opportunities for all. These initiatives are critical to overcoming current obstacles and creating a more dynamic and resilient economic environment.

"Latin America and the Caribbean has the potential to become a region of global solutions to the great challenges of development, but at the same time it must achieve sustained and inclusive growth and address its structural problems, such as inequalities, low productivity or poverty reduction. This Forum will be a key step towards these goals, as it will outline concrete action plans to improve the quality of life and create a fairer, more resilient and sustainable economy", said Sergio Díaz-Granados, CAF's Executive President.

Event development

During the two-day event, a series of sessions will be held that will include panel discussions, keynotes, and collaborative workshops. These activities will allow participants to explore in depth the challenges and opportunities of the region, promoting constructive dialogue and the exchange of innovative ideas.

The sessions will cover the following topics:

• Airport infrastructure, air connectivity, and tourism: drivers for promoting regional development
• The impact of economic growth on poverty reduction
• How to attract more foreign investment to Latin America and the Caribbean?
• Road safety and infrastructure: a necessity for development
• Panel discussion: 'Challenges and Opportunities for Panama'
• The importance of railways in mobility, trade, sustainable development, and regional integration
• The role of ports and logistics in the sustainable growth of Latin America and the Caribbean
• From Cali to Belém: Latin America and the Caribbean as a key player in global climate action
• Clean energy: the region's potential to accelerate the energy transition
• Circular economy in subnational governments: sustainable growth and solid waste management
• Food security as an opportunity for growth and regional development
• What happens when large companies meet entrepreneurs? The case of 'Emprende tu mente' in Chile
• The new era of corporate philanthropy and measuring its impact
• The voice of business leaders and entrepreneurs: challenges and commitments of the private sector for a more productive region
• The voice of business leaders and entrepreneurs: final conclusions
• Latin America and the Caribbean in today's geopolitics
• Nothing about us without us: women in decision-making spaces for the growth of Latin America and the Caribbean

Latin America and the Caribbean has an opportunity to establish a path of inclusive and sustainable growth. Through collaboration and the exchange of ideas in this forum, leaders in the region can work together to create a more just, resilient, and prosperous economy.

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