LAC–EU Business Forum

Forum Opening | A Shared Vision of Prosperity: Strengthening the ALC–EU Alliance

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President, European Commission

Nadia Calviño, President, European Investment Bank

Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President, CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean

Ana María Ibañez, Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge, Inter-American Development Bank

Heads of State from the EU and LAC

Plenary Session 1 | Mobilizing Private Capital for a Green and Just Transition

Foreign investment and private sector participation are essential to accelerate the green transition, generate quality jobs, and promote shared prosperity. Building on discussions held during the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) and COP30, this session will analyze how ALC–EU cooperation can significantly expand private capital flows toward green infrastructure, clean technologies, and climate-resilient industries. The discussion will focus on concrete strategies to mobilize sustainable investments, including instruments such as green bonds, to promote quality jobs and inclusive development across both regions.

Moderator

Fabio Fagundes, Chief Products Officer, IDB Invest

Panelists

Juan Carlos Mora, CEO, Bancolombia

Gisela Sánchez, Executive President, Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI)

Hanane El Hamraoui, CEO, Hydrogène de France (HDF)

Iván Andrade, President, Banco del Pacífico

Alejandro Gutiérrez, Sustainability Manager, Natura

Plenary Session 2 | Feeding the Future: Food Security, Innovation, and Sustainable Agribusiness

Strengthening food systems requires scalable innovation, sustainable investment, and strong public–private collaboration. This session will explore how EU–LAC cooperation can boost productivity, accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies, and promote inclusive agricultural value chains.

The discussion will examine opportunities to develop a climate-resilient agribusiness sector that generates decent employment, supports rural development, and ensures equitable access to healthy food. The panel will also address mechanisms to facilitate financing, knowledge exchange, and the digital transformation of the agri-food sector, in line with the environmental and sustainability commitments of both regions.

Moderator

Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, CAF

Panelists

Ricardo Oteros, CEO, Supracafe

Miguel Pacheco, South America Director, Rainforest Alliance

Marta Mulas, Director of Financial Cooperation, AECID

Alberto Broch, President, COPROFAM; VP CONTAG; VP World Rural Forum

Martha Carvajalino, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Colombia*

Laura Suazo, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Honduras*

Plenary Session 3 | Connecting Networks, Connecting Growth: Investment Routes for Regional Electricity Markets

The development and integration of regional electricity markets is part of a new strategy in the region that seeks to enhance electricity exchanges, moving from a bilateral trade model toward regional exchanges with greater scale and impact. In LAC, this shift begins with SIEPAC and the Central American electricity market, which have increased the dynamism of energy exchanges among Central American countries. In the Andean region, within the framework of SINEA, new regulations have been approved to create the Andean Electricity Market, while in the Southern Cone, through SIESUR, electricity exchanges have quadrupled.

With the support of the IDB, CAF, and the EU–LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA), these interconnection systems aim to realize the benefits of energy integration as a tool to make power systems more resilient and competitive, with participation from both the public and private sectors.

The session will highlight the importance of advancing the development of regulatory, normative, and institutional frameworks while interconnection infrastructure is deployed, ensuring the creation, consolidation, and integration of the region’s new electricity markets. Finally, emphasis will be placed on the opportunities that more dynamic electricity trade can create for the private sector in the different subregions of the continent.

Special Address

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President, European Commission*

Moderator

Marcelino Madrigal, Energy Division Chief, IDB

Panelists

Beatriz Corredor Sierra, President, Red Eléctrica de España (Redeia)

Andrés Villegas Ramelli, Director of Planning and Evaluation, ISA

Thouraya Triki, Director of International Partnerships, EIB

Enrique Riquelme, CEO, Grupo Cox Energy

Antonio Silveira, Vice President for Private Sector, CAF

Edwin Palma Egea, Minister of Mines and Energy of Colombia*

Networking Lunch

Plenary Session 4 | Connecting the Future: Investment in Quality Digital Infrastructure

Investing in sustainable, high-quality digital infrastructure is essential to drive inclusive growth and accelerate a just digital transition. This requires not only physical infrastructure, but also “soft” capabilities in artificial intelligence, 5G, cybersecurity, and data governance, ensuring future-ready connectivity.

The EU–LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) and Multilateral Development Banks support this transformation through projects that strengthen resilience, improve governance frameworks, and build local capacities.

This session will highlight the role of technological exchange through collaborative models that connect innovation ecosystems in the EU and LAC to scale skills, share knowledge, and generate local value through regulation, financing, and innovation.

Moderator

Sebastián Nieto Parra, OECD Development Centre

Panelists

Michelle Muschett, UN Assistant Secretary-General; UNDP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean

Fernando Carrillo, Vice President, PRISA Group

Karim Lesina, Chief External Affairs Officer, Millicom

Celedonio von Wuthenau, Head of Government Relations for Latin America, Nokia

Carina Murcia Yela, Minister of Information and Communications Technologies of Colombia*

Plenary Session 5 | Sustainable Mobility and Regional Integration: Investment for Resilient Connectivity

Connectivity is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development, regional integration, and competitiveness. Strengthening transport infrastructure (railway, urban, and logistics), along with investment in sustainable and innovative mobility solutions, is key to promoting inclusive and resilient growth.

Bi-regional cooperation between the EU and LAC offers a unique opportunity to move toward more sustainable, safe, and efficient transportation systems, integrating the green and digital transitions with territorial planning and technological innovation.

This panel will explore experiences and perspectives on how to reinforce connectivity for the benefit of people, trade, and regional development.

Moderator

Marta Blanco, Business Europe

Panelists

Angel Cárdenas, Manager of Infrastructure for Development, CAF

Myriam Ferran, Deputy Director-General for International Partnerships, European Commission

Darwin Telemaque, CEO of St. John’s Port / President of PIMAC

José Solorza, General Manager, EFE (Chilean State Railways)

Juan Carlos Parra, General Manager, Metro de Quito

María Fernanda Rojas, Minister of Transport of Colombia*

Plenary Session 6 | Trade, Value Chains and Integration: Unlocking the Potential of the ALC–EU Partnership

The network of trade agreements between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean provides a solid foundation to build more integrated value chains, boost productivity, and open new investment opportunities. Strategic cooperation within the framework of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) can further strengthen these ties, particularly by supporting SMEs, fostering innovation, and promoting the regionalization of production in key sectors.

Deepening trade relations also involves promoting traceability and transparency standards across supply chains, ensuring that economic integration benefits both sides of the Atlantic.

This session will explore opportunities to modernize existing agreements, facilitate digital trade, and advance a shared vision that positions the EU–LAC alliance as a global reference for resilient and inclusive economic integration.

Moderador

Fabrizio Opertti, Gerente, Sector de Productividad, Comercio e Innovación, BID

Panelistas

Bruce Mac Master, Presidente, ANDI

Nuria Vilanova, Presidenta, Consejo Empresarial Alianza por Iberoamérica (CEAPI)

John Bazill, Oficial de Asuntos Comerciales en la Dirección General de Comercio y Seguridad Económica (DG TRADE), Comisión Europea

Latifi Chelala, Directora de Sostenibilidad, Paracel

Alejandra Botero, Gerenta de Inversiones y Desarrollo Financiero, CAF

Yovanni Pacacira, Especialista Sénior en Comercio Aduanero y Cumplimiento Normativo, DHL Express

Plenary Session 7 | Strengthening Critical Minerals Value Chains

Reliable access to critical raw materials is essential for strategic autonomy, the green transition, and economic development in both the EU and LAC. This session will address how to strengthen sustainable value chains, from responsible extraction to processing and end use, under high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.

It will examine opportunities for bi-regional cooperation to ensure traceability, local value creation, skilled employment, and industrial development. The discussion will also explore financing mechanisms and technological innovation that can support more resilient, diversified, and strategic production for both regions, ensuring inclusive and long-term benefits.

Moderator

Félix Fernández-Shaw, Director for Latin America, the Caribbean and Overseas Countries and Territories, European Commission

Panelists

Dominique Viera, President, APRIMIN Chile

Fernando J. Ciacera, National Director of Value Chain and Mining Economy, Secretariat of Mining of Argentina

Christian Hoffmann, Global Head of Geopolitics and International Relations, Siemens AG

Henrik Orrling, Vice President for Business Development, Škoda Group*

Plenary Session 8 | Investment in Health: A Driver of Resilience and Growth

This session will examine how investments in biotechnology, medical technologies, and public–private partnerships can expand equitable access to healthcare services and infrastructure, strengthen crisis preparedness, and improve quality of life. The discussion will analyze the role of bi-regional cooperation in developing local capabilities, digitalizing the sector, and promoting innovative medical solutions that support inclusive and high-performing health systems.

The session will also address financing mechanisms, technology transfer, and regulatory convergence, which are necessary to consolidate a regional market and ecosystem for medicines and health technologies that foster regional integration. The panel will identify synergies among governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations, and research centers to position health as a driver of productivity, equity, and social cohesion.

Moderator

Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General, Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), European Commission

Panelists

Jorge Emilio Osorio, CEO, Vaxthera

Francisco Rossi Buenaventura, Director, INVIMA, Colombia

Juan Carlos Jaramillo, Chief Medical Officer, Valneva

Jarbas Barbosa, Director, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Francisco Centeno, International Business Director, Grupo ILUNION*

Special Session: EIB/AFD | Financial Innovation and EU–LAC Cooperation: The Role of European and Latin American Public Development Banks in Mobilizing Resources for Strategic and Sustainable Infrastructure Financing

Opening Remarks

Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice President, European Investment Bank (EIB)

Moderator

Alain Humen, Deputy Director for Latin America Department, Agence Française de Développement (AFD)

Panelists

Ángela Pérez, President, Spanish Development Finance Company (COFIDES)

Carlos Rivera, CEO, Banco de Desarrollo de Ecuador

Juan Carlos Muñiz Pacheco, President, Findeter

Rodrigo Madrazo, CEO, EDFI Management Company

Gabriel Felpeto, Vice President of Finance, CAF

Matías Bendersky, Head of Global Partnerships, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Closing Remarks

Carmen Caballero, Director, ProColombia

Launch of the LEO Report: “Latin American Economic Outlook 2025: Driving and Financing Productive Transformation”