EU-Central America Global Gateway Forum

About the Forum

The EU-Central America Global Gateway Forum is a high-level bi-regional platform that turns cooperation into investment, connects strategic priorities with concrete business opportunities, and strengthens alliances between the European Union and Central America.

Bringing together policymakers, investors, business leaders and regional institutions from both regions, the Forum provides a unique space to accelerate sustainable trade, enhance connectivity and unlock new investment flows.

At a time of profound global transformation — from the green transition to digital innovation — the Forum drives strategic alignment between the EU–Central America Association Agreement and the Global Gateway strategy, translating shared commitments into tangible projects, financing solutions and long-term partnerships.

Objectives of the Forum

Objectives of the EU–Central America Forum include:

Promoting high-level political and economic dialogue between the European Union and Central American partners to strengthen regional integration, enhance cooperation under the EU–CA Association Agreement, and align strategic priorities under the Global Gateway framework.
Highlighting priority investment projects in sustainable transport and logistics, digital transformation, energy integration, and the green transition, and presenting them to international investors, development finance institutions, and private sector stakeholders.
Mobilising sustainable private capital and facilitating access to financing instruments, including Global Gateway tools and EU financial partners, to translate strategic initiatives into bankable and impactful projects.
Creating structured opportunities for engagement through B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings, networking sessions, and thematic workshops, fostering concrete partnerships and long-term cooperation between stakeholders from both regions.

Topics

Trade and economic integration
Trade facilitation and EU-CA value chains
Business climate, legal certainty and predictability
Role of the private sector in the implementation of the Partnership Agreement
Connectivity and sustainable infrastructure
Sustainable transport and regional logistics
Renewable energy and energy transition
Digital connectivity and digitization
Sustainable investment and financing
Investment opportunities under Global Gateway
European and regional financial instruments
Responsible investment, ESG standards and sustainability

Date and venue

The Forum will take place on 19–20 March 2026 at the Intercontinental Miramar Hotel in Panama City.

Registration

The maximum registration capacity has been reached, and we are no longer accepting additional registrations. For further information, please contact us at infoggf4ca [dot] eu (info[at]ggf4ca[dot]eu).

We invite you to follow the official European Union in Central America social media accounts, where the event will be live-streamed:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ueencentroamerica
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UEenCentroamerica

Agenda

Over two days, the Forum will feature high-level sessions, thematic panels, practical workshops and dedicated networking moments focused on trade, connectivity and sustainable investment.

Day 1 - Global Gateway: strategic investments for regional transformation and connectivity

08:30 – 08:45
Institutional Opening Ceremony
A Shared Vision for the Future of the European Union–Central America Partnership.
08:45 – 10:15
Inaugural Session
Leveraging Synergies between the EU–Central America Association Agreement and the Global Gateway Strategy to Advance Sustainable Transformation and Regional Integration.
8:45 - 10:00
Inaugural session
Synergies between the Association Agreement and the Gateway Global Strategy for sustainable transformation and Central American regional integration
10:15 – 10:30
Coffee break and networking
10:30 – 11:30
Strategic Panel
Global Gateway in Central America: Mobilising Investment for Regional Transformation.
11:30 – 10:30
Introduction to the Global Gateway Investment Hub
12:00 – 12:45
Railways in Central America. Driving Regional Integration through Modern Infrastructure
13:15 – 13:45
Lunch break
13:45 – 15:00
Advancing Sustainable Logistics and Green Maritime Corridors
15:00 – 15:15
Coffee break and networking
15:15 – 16:00
Sustainable Mobility and Clean Transport Solutions
16:00 – 16:45
Regional Energy Integration: Driving the Acceleration of the Green Transition
16:45 – 17:30
The EU–LAC Digital Alliance: Innovation, Connectivity and Technological Cooperation
17:30 – 17:45
Day 1 – Strategic Closing Session

Day 2 - The EU–CA Association Agreement as an enabling framework for responsible and competitive trade

09:00 – 10:00
Opening Panel
The Trade Pillar of the EU–Central America Association Agreement — Achievements, Economic Impact and Future Prospects
09:00 – 10:00
Opening session
The Trade Pillar of the EU–Central America Association Agreement: achievements, economic impact, and strategic projection
10:00 – 11:15
Trade Facilitation and Regional Integration in Central America
Turning Association Agreement Commitments into Greater Efficiency and Competitiveness.
11:15 – 11:45
Coffee break and networking
11:45 – 13:00
Smart Export Diversification to the EU: Unlocking Emerging Sectors, Value Addition and Strategic Instruments
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 15:15
Responsible Trade and Business Competitiveness
Engaging the Private Sector and Civil Society in the Implementation of the EU–Central America Association Agreement
15:15 – 15:30
Coffee break and networking
15:30 – 17:00
Thematic Workshop
From Farm to the European Market — Practical Solutions and Success Cases in Traceability and EUDR Compliance.
17:00
Official Closing

We look forward to welcoming you to the EU-Central America Global Gateway Forum!