CAF at the CELAC-EU Summit

Santa Marta will host one of the most important diplomatic gatherings of recent years on November 9 and 10, 2025: the IV Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU). The meeting will bring together 60 delegations —33 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 27 from Europe— to strengthen bi-regional ties and foster cooperation that accelerates the transition to more sustainable economies, drives digital transformation, and enhances joint climate action.

The EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda will be at the center of discussions, mobilizing more than €45 billion to finance projects in resilient infrastructure, clean energy, and digital connectivity. CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – has been part of this process through previous meetings aimed at aligning priorities.

During the Summit, CAF will lead the LAC–EU Business Forum 2025, together with the European Union, the IDB, and the Government of Colombia, to promote public-private partnerships and sustainable investments that strengthen regional integration and reaffirm its commitment to the Global Gateway Agenda.

Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF

"Latin America and the Caribbean is a reliable, like-minded, and economically complementary partner. The region offers exactly what Europe needs most. In turn, the European Union brings the capital, technology, and know-how to foster high-value bi-regional production chains".

Agenda

Sunday

November 09, 2025

Monday

November 10, 2025

LAC–EU Business Forum

This forum will bring together high-level business leaders (including CEOs) from both regions, along with selected strategic MSMEs, heads of development finance institutions (DFIs), export credit agencies (ECAs), and representatives from business associations and chambers of commerce from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

IV Summit of Heads of State and Government CELAC–EU

A meeting aimed at strengthening bi-regional cooperation on key issues such as energy, digitalization, food security, and migration, while defining a joint 2025–2027 roadmap to promote sustainable development, regional integration, and a common voice on the global stage.

Strategic Pillars

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Global challenges can only be addressed in a society that guarantees opportunities for everyone.

GREEN TRANSITION

Environmental challenges demand an agenda that combines sustainability, innovation, and cooperation.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Regional progress requires an agenda that boosts connectivity, productivity, and agile institutions.

LAC–EU Business Forum 2025

The LAC–EU Business Forum 2025, held in parallel with the Summit in Santa Marta, will serve as a platform for dialogue between the business sectors of Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, aiming to strengthen economic cooperation and promote sustainable investments.

CAF co-organizes the Forum together with the European Union, the IDB, and the Government of Colombia, contributing its leadership in bridging the public and private sectors, identifying investment opportunities, and promoting sustainable projects aligned with the Global Gateway Agenda. CAF also provides financial support for the organization of the event and the development of sessions that foster strategic partnerships and new opportunities for bi-regional cooperation.

Global Gateway Agenda Indicators

will be invested by the EU by 2027 in development projects for the region

€45 billion

are part of the EU–LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda

136 initiatives

correspond to potential joint cooperation projects between the EU and CAF

70 initiatives

are bi-regional in nature, where CAF seeks to play an active role

8 regional initiatives

CAF’s Role in the EU–CELAC Partnership

2022

2023

2025

Spain and CAF Promote EU–CELAC Integration

In November 2022, it was announced that Spain, under its Presidency of the EU Council, and CAF would convene the EU and CELAC Ministers of Economy and Finance in September 2023 in Santiago de Compostela. During the announcement, Nadia Calviño and Sergio Díaz-Granados highlighted the opportunity to strengthen integration, the green transition, and inclusive growth. CAF supported this process by promoting sustainable financing and advancing its goal of becoming the region’s green bank.
European Union–Latin America and the Caribbean Business Roundtable

CAF co-organized, together with the European Commission and the IDB, the Business Roundtable held prior to the EU–CELAC Summit on July 17, 2023, in Brussels. The meeting brought together public and private leaders to advance the Global Gateway Investment Agenda and explore opportunities in renewable energy and green hydrogen, critical raw materials, transport infrastructure and digital connectivity, sustainable finance, and green bonds.
First Meeting of EU and CELAC Finance Ministers

The EU and CELAC Ministers of Economy and Finance met in Santiago de Compostela in a historic event organized by Spain and CAF to strengthen cooperation and renew the investment agenda. Progress was made in implementing the Global Gateway, which allocates €45 billion for energy, digitalization, mobility, and water. CAF contributed 70 strategic projects to drive the green transition, integration, and the reduction of inequalities in the region.
CAF Drives Global Gateway Progress at FfD4

During the FfD4 in Seville, leaders from the EU and CELAC met to strengthen their strategic alliance and advance the Global Gateway agenda ahead of the IV bi-regional Summit in Santa Marta. The meeting, organized by CAF, the European Commission, and the IDB, followed up on the commitments made in Brussels and Santiago de Compostela, reaffirming CAF’s role as a key driver of investments in green transition, digitalization, and human development across the region.

Benefits of European Union Investments in Latin America and the Caribbean

Closing Digital and Connectivity Gaps

European investments are expanding access to 4G, 5G, fiber optic, and satellite infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas, helping reduce territorial and social inequalities.

Promoting Inclusive and Secure Connectivity

Cooperation prioritizes cybersecurity and data protection, ensuring safer and more reliable networks for governments, businesses, and citizens.

Boosting Productivity and 4.0 Reindustrialization

European investments support the digitalization of traditional sectors (agriculture, mining, energy, tourism) and the adoption of 4.0 technologies such as AI, blockchain, IoT, and big data, increasing the added value of exports.

Job Creation and Digital Talent Development

The LAC–EU partnership promotes training programs in technological skills, STEM, and cybersecurity, helping reduce the talent gap and improve employability, especially for youth and women.

Modernizing Governments and Public Services

European investment helps build more agile and connected states by digitalizing services such as health, education, justice, and taxation, while strengthening transparency and accountability.

Promoting Social and Gender Inclusion

EU-financed policies and projects integrate gender equality and reduce gaps in access to technology, fostering women’s leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Advancing Environmental Sustainability

Investments support a just and green transition by promoting decarbonization, clean energy use, and the development of smart cities and territories guided by energy efficiency and biodiversity protection.

Attracting Private Investment and Public–Private Partnerships

The EU encourages the creation of innovation ecosystems that combine public, private, and development bank investment (CAF, EIB, IDB), increasing project financing capacity and scalability.

Strengthening the LAC–EU Political and Strategic Partnership

Cooperation under the Global Gateway initiative reinforces political and economic dialogue between the two regions, consolidating Europe as a strategic partner for Latin America and the Caribbean in digital, green, and social development.

What You Should Know

Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC)

Answer

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is a regional coordination and integration mechanism created on December 3, 2011, in response to the need for Latin American and Caribbean States to strengthen unity and political, economic, social, and cultural integration. Its purpose is to increase social well-being, quality of life, and economic growth in the region, while promoting independent and sustainable development based on democracy, equity, and broad social justice.

European Union (EU)

Answer

The European Union (EU) is a geopolitical entity that covers much of the European continent. It is a unique political and economic partnership made up of 27 countries. Since the 1960s, Brussels has become the capital of the EU, hosting most of its institutions and civil servants. The EU has a single currency, a flag, an anthem, and celebrates Europe Day every year on May 9.

Global Gateway Agenda

Answer

The EU–LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda is a political commitment to work together in identifying fair green and digital investment opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean, taking advantage of open trade and investment frameworks and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Agenda focuses on driving a green and just transition, promoting inclusive digital transformation, and strengthening human development.