CEOE Calls for Stronger Public-Private Cooperation Between the OECD and Latin America
Business leaders, government officials and international organizations met in Madrid to promote deeper economic cooperation between OECD countries and Latin America ahead of the next Ibero-American Summit.
Madrid became the meeting point for senior government officials, business executives and international organizations as the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) hosted a high-level forum aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the OECD, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The event, held as part of the preparations for the 30th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, brought together more than 50 ministers, deputy ministers and private-sector representatives to discuss how closer collaboration can accelerate investment, productivity and sustainable development across the region.
Opening the forum, CEOE Secretary General José Alberto González-Ruiz emphasized that the private sector must play a central role in shaping the future economic agenda between Europe and Latin America.
He highlighted the region's strategic importance due to its abundant natural resources, growing renewable energy potential and young workforce, positioning Latin America as a key partner for Europe's green and digital transitions.
Spain also reaffirmed its commitment to the region.
According to Jordi Colgán, Director General for Economic Diplomacy at Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain remains the second-largest foreign investor in Latin America, while approximately 75% of the companies listed on Spain's IBEX 35 stock index maintain operations across the region.
He also noted that nearly two-thirds of Spanish companies already established in Latin America expect to maintain or increase their revenues, reflecting continued confidence in the region's long-term economic prospects.
During the meeting, participants reviewed the latest edition of the Latin American Economic Outlook, a joint report prepared by the OECD Development Centre, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the European Commission.
The report argues that stronger institutions, higher productivity, sustainable financing and greater private investment will be essential if Latin America is to accelerate economic growth beyond the modest average recorded over the past two decades.
Closing the event, CEOE President Antonio Garamendi called for closer collaboration between governments and businesses, describing public-private partnerships as a fundamental requirement for economic transformation rather than an optional policy tool.
He stressed that attracting investment requires stable regulatory frameworks, legal certainty and stronger cooperation between public institutions and the private sector.
The discussions also highlighted the growing strategic importance of Ibero-America within Europe's international economic agenda.
As companies diversify supply chains and governments seek more resilient trade partnerships, stronger economic integration between Europe and Latin America is increasingly viewed as a source of long-term competitiveness.
Alongside the business forum, Spain's Secretary of State for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Susana Sumelzo, chaired a meeting of the Group of Friends of Spanish at the OECD, bringing together ambassadors from around twenty Latin American countries.
The initiative reaffirmed Spain's commitment to multilateral cooperation while promoting Spanish as a language that facilitates international collaboration, knowledge exchange and institutional inclusion.
As preparations continue for the next Ibero-American Summit, both governments and business leaders agree that expanding public-private cooperation will be essential to mobilize investment, strengthen economic resilience and deepen the strategic partnership between Europe and Latin America.