On 27 May, the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean (IPDAL) organised a High-Level Private Luncheon in Lisbon with the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF). The event brought together CAF representatives, members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Portugal, representatives of Portuguese investment agencies and business leaders to discuss the role of Latin America and the Caribbean in the international economic agenda.

The event was moderated by IPDAL President Paulo Neves, who highlighted CAF’s importance for the development of the Latin American and Caribbean region, as well as for strengthening economic relations between these countries and Portugal.

During the session, Gianpiero Leoncini, CAF Executive Vice-President, underscored the institution’s consolidation as the leading development bank in Latin America and the Caribbean. He also noted that CAF is implementing a new strategic cycle focused on the energy, digital and demographic transitions, regional integration and resource mobilisation through partnerships with Europe and, in particular, Portugal.

Verónica Frisancho, CAF Knowledge Manager, highlighted the economic resilience of Latin America and the Caribbean in an international context marked by geopolitical uncertainty and inflationary pressures. She also stressed that sectors such as energy, food production and critical minerals, together with the potential of the European Union-Mercosur Agreement, create significant opportunities for a shared economic agenda between Portugal and the region.

Rafael Hoyuela, Principal Executive for Financial Partnerships Mobilisation at CAF, emphasised the bank’s catalytic role in private investment, identifying agribusiness, applied technology, critical minerals, infrastructure and sustainable tourism as priority sectors. He also argued that Portugal can serve as a gateway connecting European companies with Latin American markets.

The meeting concluded with a discussion among participants, during which diplomatic and business representatives expressed their interest in turning the ideas discussed into concrete initiatives. The session reinforced Portugal’s role as a strategic partner of Latin America and the Caribbean and highlighted the importance of economic cooperation between the two regions.