The IV EU-CELAC summit brought the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union together in Santa Marta, Colombia on 9 November. The meeting was co-chaired by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, in his current role as CELAC pro tempore president. The EU-LAC Foundation attended the meeting as an observer.
Leaders and representatives from both regions renewed the strategic importance of a bi-regional relationship based on shared values and interests; resilient, inclusive, and democratic societies; the promotion, protection and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms; the rule of law; free and transparent elections; multilateralism and international cooperation.
They agreed on a joint declaration “driven by the will to deepen the historical ties that unite us, at a time when multilateralism is being questioned all over the world and there is a continued need for a more just, equitable and democratic international order”.
The declaration, reiterated the regions’ unwavering commitment to democracy, including free, inclusive, transparent, and credible elections and freedom of expression, human rights, rule of law, international law and stress the importance of prioritising sustainable development. Similarly, leaders underlined the need to strengthen the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core, and to promote a more effective, inclusive, transparent, and democratic global governance, in full respect of international law.
CELAC and the EU also acknowledged the strategic importance of agreements fostering closer economic and trade ties and enhancing economic security and prosperity. It was highlighted the importance of advancing jointly in the reduction of trade tensions; facilitating international trade; improving market access and ensuring food security
The joint statement also included shared positions on the reform of the international system; trade and investment; climate, environment and energy transition; cooperation on citizen security, justice, and the fight against transnational organised crime, food, security and health, digital transformation; social inclusion and care systems; education and research; migration; as well as people-to-people contacts and culture.
During the summit, a wide range of topics were discussed, including: the defence of multilateralism, trade and investment, the green and digital transitions, social cohesion, cooperation on citizen security, justice, and the fight against transnational organised crime.
At the opening session of the meeting, Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed his wish that the CELAC–European Union Summit would be “able to tell the world that coming together, that dialogue between different parties, that global democracy and a free humanity are possible now, even as barbarism advances and kills people.”
The President of the European Council, António Costa, underlined that “The current multipolar world requires a multilateral response to the multiple challenges we face. The EU-CELAC summit in Santa Marta demonstrates the value of dialogue and will allow us to make our natural bond even stronger, grow together, and protect each other”.
Cooperation on citizen security
The EU and CELAC leaders reaffirmed their commitment to intensify bi-regional efforts to tackle shared challenges in citizen security and to reinforce the rule of law. They highlighted their common priority to boost cooperation in dismantling transnational criminal networks, particularly those linked to the illicit trafficking of drugs, firearms, ammunition, and explosives; cybercrime; human trafficking; migrant smuggling; illegal mining; environmental crimes; illicit trade in cultural property; and financial crimes. During the summit, the EU–Latin America and the Caribbean Alliance for Citizen Security was launched, with the goal of enhancing collaboration on citizen security between the European Union and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Pact on Care
On 9 November, the bi-regional Pact on Care was launched, aiming to promote regular exchanges on progress and best practices within the care economy. This includes sharing experiences related to policies, programmes, services, regulatory frameworks, and institutional structures. The pact establishes a platform for continuous and structured dialogue between the EU and LAC to strengthen care systems and programmes through a comprehensive approach—improving assistance for those in need, enhancing the working conditions of professional caregivers, and addressing the unequal burden of unpaid care on families and gender equality.
The EU-LAC Foundation will have a prominent role in the implementation of the Pact, as it will support the organisation of its meetings among officials of EU Member States and institutions and of the participating LAC countries. The organisation will also facilitate the participation of representatives of the civil society and academia.
(Fotos cortesía de la UE y la Cancillería de Colombia)