Pedro Sánchez is committed to a more strategic Latin America, with its own voice and a strengthened relationship with the EU for the benefit of both regions

Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, is in Santo Domingo on the occasion of the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit, which on this occasion is taking place under the slogan 'Together for a fair and sustainable Ibero-America'. This slogan continues the approach of the Andorra Summit: Innovation for Sustainable Development. Goal 2030', and links to the Antigua Summit held in Guatemala in 2018, which for the first time linked the work of the summits to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.

After His Majesty the King's speech, Pedro Sánchez addressed the plenary, highlighting the importance of these summits to continue progressing towards a sustainable recovery of the region vis-à-vis challenges such as those caused by the pandemic, and to promote a green, intelligent and circular transition in Ibero-America, as well as a fairer distribution of wealth.

The President of the Government addressed the impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine on the region, recalling that this illegal and unjustified war has caused a rise in energy and food prices in Latin America, the disruption of supply chains and other consequences such as the rise in interest rates. "This reality, together with challenges such as the climate emergency and the accelerated digitalisation of our societies, make meetings such as this summit more essential than ever," he stressed. To respond to these challenges, the president recalled, it is necessary to work towards collective multilateral action and, to this effect, the construction of a common agenda will enable the role of Ibero-America in the new global concert to be strengthened.

Three objectives to advance towards a fair and sustainable Ibero-America

The president underlined three common objectives of this summit. First, to achieve a fairer, more inclusive and feminist Ibero-America. Pedro Sánchez voiced his regret that the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have worsened poverty rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, deepening already existing gaps in society. By the end of 2022, poverty had risen to 32% of the population: 201 million people, 15 million more than before the pandemic.

"To fight poverty and inequality, you need resources," said President Sánchez, recalling that the Government of Spain is working with international financial institutions on initiatives that enable middle-income countries to access international financing under proper conditions. In this regard, he reiterated the importance of these external resources being complemented by domestic resources by means of fair fiscal policies, with the aim of financing quality public services.

Pedro Sánchez stressed that the unity of the countries in the region is key to achieving a greater impact in building fairer societies. In this context, the president highlighted Latin America's strengths, recalling that the region has abundant natural resources, more than 32 million young university students, a young and increasingly well-trained workforce, a dynamic business fabric thanks to start-ups and SMEs, and growing innovation and digitisation. "We must harness these resources to strengthen our societies," the president stressed.

Second, Pedro Sánchez pointed out that moving towards a more sustainable and people-centred Ibero-America is a priority, and he welcomed the fact that three important steps towards this goal were taken during the summit: the adoption of the Ibero-American Environmental Charter, which lays the foundations for an ambitious roadmap to tackle the effects of the climate emergency; the critical route to achieve food security in Ibero-America, which links the human dimension and sustainability and will be very useful to cope with uncertainty over prices and supplies; and the approval of the Ibero-American Charter of Principles and Digital Rights, an initiative that Spain is particularly pleased with, and which places people at the centre.

Third, President Sánchez stressed the commitment to a more strategic Ibero-America, with its own voice, and reiterated that the region's relationship with the European Union has great potential. Both Latin America and Europe share common principles and values such as democracy, the rule of law and social justice. Moreover, both societies are built on common pillars such as respect for borders, multilateralism, the territorial integrity of states and support for a rules-based order. In this context, the President of the Government underlined the importance Spain attaches to the future holding of the European Union-CELAC Summit, the first since 2015, to be held during the Presidency of the Council of the EU. "It will not be a declaratory summit; it will be one that will establish a regular and reinforced political dialogue between the region and the European institutions," he said, recalling that this will be key to tackling all global challenges together. This summit will also be a key step in the implementation of a shared investment agenda with projects of high strategic impact and regional scope.

During the Spanish presidency, Pedro Sánchez recalled, Spain aims to make progress in trade matters with agreements between the EU and Mexico, Chile and MERCOSUR, fundamental instruments for a future of shared prosperity.

Non official translation