The Italy-Latin America and Caribbean National Conferences are organised every two years by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in collaboration with the institutions in Lombardy (Region, City Council and Chamber of Commerce), the Italy-Latin America Network (RIAL), the Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA) and the Centre for International Policy Studies (CeSPI). The conferences are an effective and well-established foreign policy instrument in Italy’s relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Latin American integration will be the central theme of this 4th Conference, which will be taking place in Milan on 2-3 December. The previous editions were held in Milan, in 2003 and 2005, and in Rome, in 2007). The Conference will be divided into two plenary sessions and 4 working groups. The opening session will focus on cooperation between Italy and Latin America and the closing session on the European Union’s relations with the countries of Latin America and the role of the latter in the new global scenario. The working Groups will examine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), infrastructure and energy, cultural heritage and research, cross-border cooperation and the environment.
Thematic sessions and seminars will also discuss security in Latin America and economic instruments to support the private sector. The role of communication will also be examined.
Important members of the Latin American, Italian and European political, economic and cultural communities and representatives of the major international and EU organisations and institutions will be taking part.