The IV CELAC–EU Summit will be held in Santa Marta, Colombia, on 8-9–10 November 2025, bringing together Heads of State or Government from all 33 CELAC countries and all 27 EU Member States, as well as the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. The Summit will review progress and explore new opportunities in the bi-regional strategic partnership.
In the margins of the Summit, the LAC-EU Business Forum will provide a space to take stock of and enhance economic cooperation and investment between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean, using the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda as a framework and building on the EU-LAC Business Roundtable of 2023. It also seeks to foster public–private partnerships that meet the priorities of both regions.
The LAC-EU Business Forum is organised by the Government of Colombia, in its capacity as CELAC’s Pro Tempore Presidency, in cooperation with the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
Sunday 9 November 2025
- 7:00 - 8:00Registration and Coffee
- 8:00 - 9:00Opening of the Business Forum
A shared vision of prosperity: Strengthening the LAC-EU partnership
- 9:00 - 10:00Plenary Session 1
Mobilising private capital for a green and just transition
- 10:00 - 11:00Plenary Session 2
Feeding the future: Food security, innovation and sustainable agribusiness
- 11:00 - 12:00Plenary Session 3
Connecting networks, connecting growth: Investment pathways for regional electricity markets
- 12:00 - 13:00Networking Lunch
Venue: Hilton Santa Marta – Lobby
- 13:00 - 14:00Plenary Session 4
Connecting the future: Investment in quality digital infrastructure
- 14:00 - 15:00Plenary Session 5
Sustainable mobility and regional integration: Investment for resilient connectivity
- 15:00 - 16:00Plenary Session 6
Trade, value chains and integration: Unlocking the EU-LAC potential
- 16:00 - 16:45Plenary Session 7
Dialogue: Strengthening critical raw materials value chains
- 16:45 - 17:45Plenary Session 8
Investment in health: Driver of resilience and growth
- 17:45 - 18:45Plenary Session 9
Special Session: EIB/AFD: Financial innovation and LAC-EU cooperation: The role of
European and Latin American public banks in mobilising resources for strategic and
sustainable infrastructure financing - 18:45 - 19:15Closing Remarks
Monday 10 November 2025
- 9:00 - 10:30Launch of the LEO report: "Latin American Economic Outlook 2025: Driving and Financing Productive Transformation"
- 10:30 - 12:00Country Platform Event
Who will attend the LAC-EU Business Forum?
- Business leaders
- Heads of development finance institutions
- Export credit agencies
- High-level government representatives
- Think tanks and universities
The participation is by invitation only. Participants will join in-person, ensuring focused exchanges. To allow broader access, key sessions will be available for online viewing.
Topics
- Mobilising private capital for a green and just transition
- Investment pathways for regional electricity markets’ integration
- Feeding the future
Food security, innovation and climate-smart agribusiness
- Sustainable transport
Bi-regional cooperation for connected and resilient mobility
- Trade, value chains and cross-market access
Unlocking the potential of EU-LAC integration
- Investing in the Caribbean
Blue economy, resilience and regional security
- Strengthening sustainable value chains for critical raw materials
- Connecting the future
Investing in quality infrastructure for digital connectivity
- Investing in health
A driver for resilience and growth
