CAF Forum brought together more than 6,500 leaders from 70 countries at the largest regional meeting in recent years

Panama became the epicenter of economic and political debate in Latin America and the Caribbean. More than 6,500 authorities, businessmen, academics, investors and decision makers from 70 countries participated in the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, organized by CAF -development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean- in partnership with the Government of Panama.

Participants in this edition included José Raúl Mulino, president of Panama; Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil; Rodrigo Paz, president of Bolivia; Gustavo Petro, president of Colombia; Daniel Noboa, president of Ecuador; Bernardo Arévalo, president of Guatemala; Andrew Holness, prime minister of Jamaica; and José Antonio Kast, president-elect of Chile.

CAF's Executive President, Sergio Díaz-Granados, highlighted the scope of the event: "This Forum is the most important event in the region for mobilization and alliances. The deliberations of these days will provide inputs to turn ideas into actions that improve the lives of people throughout the region.

He also stressed that the meeting reflects the evolution of the institution's role: "CAF's role is not only to be a financial institution, but to build bridges and create spaces for dialogue like this one to strengthen the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean. This was a necessary space in the face of global challenges and today we are consolidating our position as a platform that promotes the region around the world.

In total, 250 panelists were part of an agenda that addressed key issues such as regional integration, trade, artificial intelligence, energy transition, financing for development, innovation and sustainability, whose panels were viewed by more than 400 thousand people in its online version. In addition, leaders from 12 international organizations were present.

The exchange left a clear signal: the region seeks greater coordination and a stronger voice in the redefinition of the international economic order.

Among the most prominent figures were Nobel Prize winners James Robinson and Philippe Aghion, who analyzed the keys to growth, innovation and institutionality in development. Theoretical physicist and futurist Michio Kaku also participated, providing a vision of the impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on the global economy.

The Forum also brought together former presidents Juan Manuel Santos and Iván Duque (Colombia), Laura Chinchilla (Costa Rica), Eduardo Frei (Chile) and Francisco Sagasti (Peru), who discussed governance, competitiveness and regional integration.

Concrete opportunities for the region

Beyond the panels, the meeting translated into concrete management: more than 400 bilateral meetings were held between governments, businessmen and multilateral organizations. In addition, there was an innovative component: a networking application developed by CAF that made it possible to schedule more than 1,100 additional meetings among participants, significantly expanding cooperation and investment opportunities.

With record numbers and a high-level business, multilateral, political and technical attendance, the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026 sends a clear signal: the region seeks to articulate, debate and project itself with greater cohesion in an increasingly challenging global context.

The Forum was supported by the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, COX, Copa Airlines and Coca-Cola.