The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, opened this morning the twelfth edition of the Italy–Latin America and Caribbean Conference, an event organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Farnesina) in collaboration with the Italo–Latin American International Organisation (IILA). The Conference brought together senior government representatives from the 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries that are members of CELAC, along with the heads of regional organisations and development banks.
At the close of the proceedings, participants adopted a Final Declaration reaffirming the deep friendship and shared values that unite both sides of the Atlantic – democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation.
The discussions centred on the theme of “diplomacy for growth”, as a means to strengthen trade and investment by promoting new free trade and economic partnership agreements. Particular attention was devoted to the energy transition, through joint projects on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and clean technologies, and to a human-centred digital transformation.
The Ministers also reiterated their commitment to combating organised crime and corruption, highlighting the Falcone-Borsellino and El PACcTO programmes, and discussed the importance of the forthcoming COP30 in Brazil as a key milestone for global climate cooperation.
The Conference further acknowledged the central role of the IILA as a bi-regional platform for dialogue, and Italy’s continued commitment to strengthening relations with Latin America. Participants also welcomed the appointment of Undersecretary Giorgio Silli as the next Secretary-General of the IILA, effective from January 2026.
The full text of the Final Declaration of the Italy–Latin America Conference is available here: XII Ministerial Conference Italy – Latin America and Caribbean Ministeral – Final Declaration
