The Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) deeply regrets the passing of His Excellency Ambassador José Antonio García Belaunde. A distinguished figure in Latin American diplomacy, Ambassador García Belaunde played a remarkable role in strengthening regional integration and promoting Latin America on the global stage, both as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru (2006–2011) and later as the Representative of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean in Europe, and as President of the EU-LAC Foundation. During these mandates, IPDAL had the honour of working closely with Ambassador García Belaunde, whose unwavering…
Author: Gaston Ocampo
The IPDAL – Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean – had the honour of welcoming Ilan Goldfajn, President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), for an institutional visit that reaffirms the Institute’s role as a strategic bridge between Portugal and Latin America. The agenda included a session at the Portuguese Parliament, enabling direct dialogue between the IDB President and members of the Foreign Affairs and Portuguese Communities Committee. Discussions focused on Atlantic cooperation, development financing instruments, and future opportunities between Portugal and the IDB. The visit also featured a High-Level Luncheon hosted by IPDAL at the…
On 27 June 2025, the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) had the honour of hosting and presenting the IPDAL–Vista Alegre Award to His Excellency, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Ivo Scapolo, in a ceremony held at the Grémio Literário. The initiative aimed to recognise the Nuncio for his distinguished service in Portugal and, in particular, for the support and friendship he consistently showed throughout his mission, closely accompanying IPDAL’s initiatives. His unwavering support for the Mafra Dialogues — a project for strategic reflection and intercontinental dialogue — deserves special mention. Throughout this period, a shared…
On 24 June 2025, the Atlantic Centre and the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) hosted a high-level visit of Ambassadors from Latin America and the Caribbean to the headquarters of the Atlantic Centre at the Ministry of National Defence. The aim of this initiative was to present the work carried out by this centre of excellence in matters of Atlantic security and cooperation, as well as to foster a moment of strategic dialogue with diplomatic representatives from the region. As part of this visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IPDAL and the…
On June 6, the new representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in Portugal, Ambassador Grace Yakuang Chang, paid a courtesy visit to the official start of her functions in the country. During the meeting, the representative expressed his/her availability to deepen existing ties of cooperation and promote new exchange opportunities.
The new Colombian Ambassador to Portugal, Germán Gómez López, accompanied by Minister Counselor Pedro Agustín Roa Arboleda, paid a courtesy visit to IPDAL at the start of his diplomatic mission in Lisbon. The meeting aimed to strengthen ties between Colombia and Portugal, promoting institutional dialogue and assessing opportunities for cooperation in areas such as diplomacy, culture and sustainable development. Future collaborations between the Embassy and IPDAL were discussed, with emphasis on joint initiatives that increase Colombia’s visibility in Portugal and strengthen relations in the Ibero-American space. The visit reinforces the commitment of both countries to deepening mutual understanding and building…
Official meeting with Paola Di ChiaroPaola Di Chiaro, Secretary for the Malvinas, Antarctica, Oceanic Policy and South Atlantic of the Government of Argentina, met with the Portuguese Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL). The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in strategic areas linked to the South Atlantic and Antarctica, and discussed opportunities for collaboration between the two countries. The visit also included an exchange of ideas on possible future initiatives within the framework of the Mafra Dialogues 2026.
The President and Secretary-General of the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and Caraíbas (IPDAL) are scheduled to attend the Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2025, which runs from June 1 to 3 in Marrakech, Morocco.In this event, we celebrate important figures such as: This meeting brings together African leaders, international decision-makers, academics and civil society representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities of financing for sustainable development in Africa. This year’s edition is based on the report “Africa Finance: Where is the money?”, published in 2024, which denounces the growing gap between the financial needs of the continent and the…
Lisbon was, on 21 and 22 May, the stage for the 14th edition of the Strategic Triangle Meeting: Latin America and the Caribbean – Europe – Africa, a high-level initiative promoted by the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL). Held under the High Patronage of the President of the Portuguese Republic, the event took place at the Iberostar Lisboa Hotel and brought together over 200 confirmed participants, including political leaders, representatives of international organisations, diplomats, academics, and prominent business figures. With the theme “Learning from the past, looking to the future”, this edition focused on…
The Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) warmly welcomes the recent election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, underlining his commitment to building bridges between continents and to fostering dialogue as a path to global peace. In a letter addressed to His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Ivo Scapolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, the President of IPDAL, Paulo Neves, expresses “great joy” at the election of the new Holy Father, emphasising his well-known closeness to Latin America and the universal values he upholds: “His well-known closeness to Latin America and his clear commitment to peace, dialogue…
The Portuguese Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) is leading the “Triangular Alliance for the Digital Transformation of Príncipe”, an initiative aimed at boosting digital inclusion and modernising public services on the second-largest island of São Tomé and Príncipe. With technical support from the Argentine Foundation for an Open and Digital Country (PAD), the project focuses on the exchange of best practices in cooperation to promote digital transformation in the African archipelago. The project is part of the “Portugal–Latin America–Africa Triangular Cooperation Fund”, financed by the Government of Portugal through Camões – Institute for Cooperation…
On 24 April 2025, at 11:30 am, the President of the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL), Dr Paulo Neves, together with Ambassador Carmenza Jaramillo, President of the IPDAL Advisory Council, accompanied His Most Reverend Excellency D. Ivo Scapolo, Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, in signing the Book of Condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. This symbolic act took place in an atmosphere of deep sorrow and respect, reflecting the admiration and recognition for the life and work of the Holy Father. IPDAL’s presence at this moment of tribute highlights its connection to…