Ahead of the XII Ibero-American Business Meeting, ambassadors and Heads of Mission from across the Ibero-American community gathered in Alcobaça for a two-day programme designed to strengthen diplomatic relations, showcase the municipality’s cultural heritage, and foster dialogue on the shared opportunities and challenges facing Europe and Latin America.
Organized by IPDAL in partnership with the Municipality of Alcobaça, Grupo Visabeira, and Atlântica – Instituto Universitário, the programme reflected a shared commitment to promoting international cooperation and creating spaces where diplomacy, business, and local development come together.
The programme began on Sunday, 28 June, with the arrival of ambassadors and official guests, who were welcomed by IPDAL and hosted at the Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel. The informal evening provided an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic and institutional relations among participants ahead of the following day’s programme, which began with an official reception at the Paços do Concelho de Alcobaça. There, the delegation was welcomed by municipal authorities, who underlined the importance of international partnerships in promoting regional development and cooperation, highlighting Alcobaça’s growing role as a meeting point for dialogue between Europe and Latin America.
The programme continued with a visit to the Monastery of Alcobaça, one of Portugal’s most important monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where participants had the opportunity to experience the municipality’s rich historical, cultural, and architectural heritage. The delegation then visited the Museu do Vinho de Alcobaça, where participants discovered another defining aspect of the region’s identity through its winemaking tradition before attending an official networking lunch. This provided an ideal setting for dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and the strengthening of relationships among ambassadors, institutional representatives, and invited guests ahead of the afternoon programme.
The delegation subsequently joined business leaders, government representatives, local authorities, and institutional partners for the XII Ibero-American Business Meeting, a day of reflection and dialogue dedicated to strengthening cooperation across the Ibero-American community. The conference explored the role of local governments in promoting innovation, attracting investment, and fostering sustainable territorial development, as well as the opportunities offered by the European Union–Mercosur Agreement to deepen economic cooperation, stimulate investment, and strengthen connectivity between Europe and Latin America.
The visit to Alcobaça demonstrated the value of combining diplomacy, cultural exchange, and economic dialogue as instruments for building lasting partnerships across the Ibero-American community. By bringing together ambassadors, public officials, business leaders, and institutional representatives, the programme created the conditions for constructive dialogue on shared priorities and future opportunities for cooperation.
IPDAL extends its sincere appreciation to the Municipality of Alcobaça for its warm hospitality and continued partnership in welcoming the diplomatic delegation. The Institute also thanks Grupo Visabeira, Atlântica – Instituto Universitário, Montebelo Mosteiro de Alcobaça Historic Hotel, Museu do Vinho de Alcobaça, and all institutional partners whose collaboration was instrumental to the success of this diplomatic programme and the XII Ibero-American Business Meeting.
