CubaPLUS Magazine

Under the auspices of Spain, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Latin American and Caribbean nations strengthened their ties during a high-level meeting in Madrid.

According to Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit brought together delegations from 52 countries and 14 multilateral organizations. The gathering aimed to provide political momentum to relations between both sides, evaluate mutual benefits, and reflect on the OECD's contribution to the region’s future.

The meeting was co-chaired by Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.

"In this polarized world, this community of shared interests and values holds immense strategic worth, as it allows us to move toward a model of shared leadership," Albares noted. 

The forum consisted of two main sessions. The first was titled "Revitalizing a Mutually Beneficial and Strategic Alliance in the New Geopolitical Context," followed by "Shaping the Vision of a Predictable and Desirable Future: A LAC Region with Increasingly Better Policies and a More Latin American OECD."

The recently approved OECD Strategic Framework for Latin America and the Caribbean and its Implementation Plan recognize the region's strategic importance, reaffirming the organization's commitment to a revitalized, strengthened partnership built on equal footing.

Discussions highlighted the need to bolster cooperation in decisive emerging areas, such as economic security, the energy transition, physical and digital connectivity, and the blue economy.

"Spain remains fully committed to this goal. We will continue to build bridges between Europe, the OECD, and Latin America and the Caribbean. We will continue to advocate for a world vision based on cooperation, dialogue, and respect for international law," the head of Spanish diplomacy remarked.

Albares also held bilateral meetings with several of his counterparts, including Kamina Johnson of Jamaica, Raïna Forbin of Haiti, Nicaragua's Co-Minister of Foreign Affairs Denis Moncada, and El Salvador's Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandra Hill Tinoco.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)