A new development model is needed to address the challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean

A new development model is needed to address the challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean

• From September 9-11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting an international seminar on "Rethinking Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Mexican Perspective." The seminar was organized by CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, UAM and the Foreign Ministry
• The seminar brings together experts and academics to rethink Latin American development and regional integration against a backdrop of global economic fragmentation, which impacts trade relations, production chains and access to technology

Officials from the Foreign Ministry, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) emphasized the need for a comprehensive and innovative development model rooted in principles of social justice and progress to address the challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean. This message was conveyed during the inauguration of the international seminar on "Rethinking Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Mexican Perspective," being held at the Foreign Ministry from September 9-11.

The inauguration was attended by Foreign Secretary Alicia Bárcena Ibarra; UAM Rector José Antonio De los Reyes Heredia; UAM Xochimilco Rector Francisco Javier Soria López; and CAF Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming Christian Asinelli, who underscored that the discussions aim to address the region's primary economic, social and environmental challenges.

Over three days, academics, former officials, and specialists will exchange insights and develop actionable policy proposals. The multifaceted dialogue will explore issues such as slow GDP growth, environmental concerns, inequality and the fragmentation of the global economy.

In her remarks, Secretary Bárcena noted that the seminar seeks to encourage "an urgent debate and to analyze various perspectives in order to envision alternative paths for sustainable and just development in Latin America and the Caribbean [...] A major regional transformation will only be possible if we pay attention to the economic, social and environmental challenges we are facing in our countries."

She added, "It's not just about addressing poverty; we must also address distribution. That's what is entailed in finding an alternative model: we can't just focus on poverty, we must also understand how we can better redistribute the region's resources, [...] how we can strengthen local production chains, and how we can stabilize public and private investments among ourselves."

"We have three urgent challenges: to increase the growth rate by overcoming external constraints; to eliminate extreme poverty, which all countries could achieve; and third, to respect the rights of future generations, especially their right to have a much better environment than we have today," said Secretary Bárcena.

Rector José Antonio De los Reyes stated that "the issues facing the Latin American and Caribbean region require long-term, innovative policies anchored in principles of social justice and progress."

"Currently, deep inequalities, structural challenges, fluctuations and political positions demand solutions that go beyond traditional approaches [...] Our region faces at least three key gaps: an external one, characterized by the slowdown in world trade and international conflicts; a social one, seen in the marked inequality and increased poverty; and an environmental one, which is exacerbated by climate change and the destruction of our ecosystems."

He added, "These issues cannot be treated in isolation. We need an integrated approach that promotes economic growth based on sustainable technologies and the redistribution of wealth to the most vulnerable sectors. Universities, with their ability to integrate multidisciplinary knowledge and their commitment to society, play a crucial role."

UAM Xochimilco Rector Francisco Javier Soria emphasized "the importance of discussing key issues within the context of a fragmented global economy, such as low productivity, unemployment, insufficient financing, limited technological development, and other obstacles that hinder industrial growth and the integration of Latin American companies into global production chains. We aim to identify several windows of opportunity that will allow us to collectively shape public policy in response to these challenges."

CAF Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming Christian Asinelli emphasized the inclusive nature of development, stating, "Development is for everyone, it cannot leave anyone behind and must nclude all stakeholders in the process [...] Universities are no longer just exclusive spaces of symbolic value. Events like this showcase their role as catalysts for social mobility, providers of opportunities, and contributors to our countries' sovereignty."

The seminar will establish a task force to continue discussions on the region's strategic and structural issues. Additionally, it will showcase the work of 123 young researchers who participated in a call for proposals. These emerging scholars will present their ideas in a working group covering international trade, macroeconomics and development financing, productive specialization and dynamics, productivity, inequality and poverty, and environmental sustainability.