Panama City hosted the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, organized by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing together political leaders, representatives of international organizations, business leaders, and experts from various countries to discuss the region’s economic and strategic future. In this context, IPDAL was identified as one of the special guests of the meeting.

The event established itself as a leading platform for reflection and dialogue on the main challenges and opportunities shaping Latin America and the Caribbean, including topics such as sustainable economic growth, international cooperation, trade, investment, technological innovation, and the strengthening of multilateral partnerships. The forum featured plenary sessions, thematic debates, and institutional meetings that fostered knowledge exchange and the creation of new opportunities for collaboration between different regions of the world.

In this context, a high-level roundtable took place with the participation of Paulo Neves, President of the Institute for the Promotion of Latin America and the Caribbean. This roundtable provided a privileged space for dialogue among institutional leaders on the role of international cooperation in strengthening economic and political relations, as well as on global challenges that require coordinated responses between different regions and organizations.

Among the Forum’s participants were Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); Gonzalo Gutiérrez, Secretary-General of the Andean Community; and Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Paulo Neves’ presence at this forum reinforces IPDAL’s commitment to promoting dialogue and cooperation between Portugal, Europe, and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to the strengthening of institutional and economic relations between these strategic regions.

Above, photographs of the President of IPDAL, Paulo Neves, with Muhammad Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); Gonzalo Gutiérrez, Secretary-General of the Andean Community; and Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and candidate for Secretary-General of the United Nations, respectively.