The Government of Spain and CAF to organise the first summit of Latin American and European finance ministers

On the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the Government of Spain and CAF is to promote a meeting between the two continents' 60 Ministers of Economy and Finance, with the aim of aligning interests, synchronising development agendas, strengthening geopolitical ties and boosting trade relations between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.

The event will take place in the framework of the meetings of the Eurogroup and the informal Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union (ECOFIN) to be held in Santiago de Compostela (Galicia).

Nadia Calviño, First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for the Economy and Digital Transformation, who will chair the summit of ministers, said that "since joining the EU, Spain has intensively promoted relations with Latin America, a continent that is an ally of the Union with shared values and interests, which will be clearly demonstrated at this summit, where we hope to give political impetus to issues of mutual interest and attract European investment in strategic areas such as ecological transition, digital transformation, education and health".

"The first meeting of EU economy and finance ministers and their Latin American and Caribbean counterparts is a unique opportunity to strengthen economic, commercial and political ties between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, and should help the two regions to face major global challenges such as the green transition, economic recovery and digital transformation. This joint work will help us find innovative solutions, new financing mechanisms and more opportunities for integration between the two regions," said Sergio Diaz-Granados, CAF's Executive President.

At the request of the Spanish Presidency of the European Union, the identification of transnational investment projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean will be promoted in which European institutions and multilateral financial institutions can take part to promote the integration of the continent's economies. These projects should focus on ecological transition, digital transformation and basic social services (education and health).

CAF, the green bank of Latin America and the Caribbean

CAF has set itself the goal of becoming the region's green bank to promote green growth through greater positioning and financing of environmental, forestry, energy, agricultural, climate and water projects. To this end, it will allocate $25 billion to green finance over the next five years, which will grow its green operations from 26% today to 40% by 2026. This amount includes €1.25 billion for ocean preservation.

As a sign of support for this new strategy, CAF's Board of Directors and Assembly approved by consensus, in March 2022, a historic capitalisation of €7 billion, which will double the portfolio by 2030, and with it promote equitable and inclusive economic reactivation, more actively support subnational governments, foster regional integration, strengthen the role of the private sector and promote alliances with national development banks.

Non official translation