An opportunity for international integration

CELAC

Argentina recently hosted the VII Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), convened with the purpose of advancing cooperation and the coordination of economic and social policies.

Founded in 2010, and with 33 member countries -all Latin American-, CELAC signed the “Buenos Aires Declaration” during the Summit, a document containing 100 articles, and which mainly reaffirms the Community’s commitment to advance with determination in the integration process while promoting the unity and political, economic, social and cultural diversity of its member states. Additionally, the document adopted 11 Special Declarations by consensus on the Malvinas issue, as well as on food systems, energy integration, gender equality, and other topics addressed.

Within the framework of the Summit, the usual differences remained: the president of Brazil, Lula Da Silva, proposed the consolidation of regional integration, whereas the president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, underscored the importance of a Free Trade Zone. Lula did support his Uruguayan counterpart, however, in the possibility of signing free trade agreements with China and the EU, once national needs and priorities have been met. On the other hand, Ralph Gonsalves, prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was appointed as the new president of the organization to replace the president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, whose re-election was not supported as expected in order to continue with his leadership.

The Summit constituted a political milestone with the reincorporation of Brazil into the community, after its departure in 2020. Likewise, it was the first time in the history of the organization that all 33 member countries were present, either through their Heads of State or another government representative.

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