The Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) attended the closing ceremony of the 1st Call for Proposals of the Portugal–Latin America–Africa Triangular Cooperation Fund, held at the headquarters of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) in Madrid.

The opening session featured the presentation of the results of the first call by Martín Rivero, followed by institutional remarks from the Secretary-General of SEGIB, Andrés Allamand; the Portuguese Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Ana Isabel Xavier; the President of Camões, I.P., Florbela Paraíba; and the Secretary for Cooperation of SEGIB, Lorena Larios Rodríguez.

This event marked the conclusion of the first phase of an innovative development cooperation instrument, created in 2023 by SEGIB and the Government of Portugal, with funding from Camões, I.P. The Fund supported six Triangular Cooperation projects involving countries from Ibero-America and Africa, particularly the Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP).

Among the projects presented during the event, special emphasis was given to the project “Triangular Cooperation for the Digital Transformation of Príncipe”, promoted by IPDAL with technical support from the Argentine Foundation País Abierto y Digital (PAD), under the Fund financed by Camões, I.P. and managed by SEGIB. The results were presented by Paulo Neves, President of IPDAL; Gastón Ocampo, Secretary-General of IPDAL; and Andrés Ibarra, President of the PAD Foundation. The initiative focuses on process modernisation, digital inclusion and knowledge transfer among partners from Latin America, Africa and Portugal, positioning digital transformation as a strategic pillar for sustainable development, administrative efficiency and the strengthening of local governance.

The programme also included technical exchange sessions among project representatives, fostering reflection on the challenges and opportunities of this interregional cooperation model, as well as contributing to the design of future initiatives. One of the key moments of the event was the announcement of the Second Call for Proposals of the Fund, accompanied by the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding, highlighting the continuity and reinforcement of this mechanism.

IPDAL’s participation in this event aligns with its mission to monitor and disseminate strategic initiatives within the Ibero-American space, contributing to the recognition of cooperation as a tool for sustainable development, knowledge sharing and the strengthening of international relations.