For three days, Montevideo was the setting for a crucial meeting where leaders and experts from the region addressed the challenges and opportunities of local economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this framework, the importance of territorial financing, human mobility, decent work, the empowerment of women and vulnerable communities, as well as economic-productive integration was underlined. In addition, the essential role of multi-stakeholder and multi-level alliances, innovation and local training as fundamental pillars for sustainable and inclusive growth was highlighted.

This important forum, which was attended by prominent international and regional actors, concluded on Wednesday, August 28. The closing panel, moderated by Mauricio Zunino, Mayor of Montevideo, was attended by Pablo Costamagna, from the National University of Rafaela and member of the Committee of the World Forum on Local Economic Development; Patricia Pelúa – President of the National Council of Aldermen; Pierre Martinot-Lagarde, from the International Labor Organization (ILO); Alicia Maneiro, President of the Uruguayan Confederation of Cooperative Entities (CUDECOOP); Enrique Iglesias, former director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Axel Kicillof, Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires; and Fabiana Goyeneche, Director of the International Relations and Cooperation Division of the Municipality of Montevideo.  

Pablo Costamagna highlighted the importance of this meeting to bring new perspectives on local development to the global level. Patricia Pelúa – President of the National Council of Councilors – stated that she wants to be part of these processes, such as the forum, “because we are the ones who are in the locality.” Pierre Martinot-Lagarde, from the International Labor Organization (ILO) , celebrated the achievement of “a common language on the territorialization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), vital for the next international summits, including the World Forum on Local Economic Development in Seville.” For her part, Alicia Maneiro, president of the Uruguayan Confederation of Cooperative Entities emphasized “the strategic role of the cooperative movement as an ally both in Montevideo and in the next Forum in Seville.” Enrique Iglesias, former director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) , stressed “the importance of the subnational level in the care of the elderly, a fundamental pillar of local economic development.” Axel Kicillof, Governor of the Province of Buenos Aires, expressed his intention to strengthen the articulation with the Local Economic Development Forum, ensuring that “the Argentine Republic does not lose the desire for a sustainable, inclusive and resilient development as promoted in this forum.” Finally, Fabiana Goyeneche, Director of the International Relations and Cooperation Division of the Municipality of Montevideo, closed the closing table highlighting “the need to maintain this dialogue to ensure the participation of all, and, above all, without leaving behind those who are still lagging.”

During the day, intense discussions took place on key topics such as the financing of economic development policies, addressed in a session organized by the Ibero-American Association of Local Financing (AIFIL); human mobility in the region, in a session coordinated by the Municipality of Canelones and the International Organization for Migration (IOM); decent work, addressed in a panel organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Committee on Local Economic and Social Development of UCLG; and economic-productive integration, discussed in an event organized by the Department of Economic Development of the Municipality of Montevideo . Likewise, alliances for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were discussed, in a session organized by Mercociudades and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). These discussions were fundamental to identify concrete strategies and strengthen local capacities throughout the region.

The closing ceremony included the presentation of awards to outstanding local economic development practices in the region. Enrique Galliccio, from the CLAEH University of Uruguay, presented the first award to the ADELCO Network of Colombia for its contribution to strengthening the Local Economic Development Agencies (ADEL), a key element in peacebuilding in Colombia. Other awards went to the Barra de Quaraí – Montecaseros – Bella Unión Trinational Committee and to the Rafaela Development and Innovation Agency, Argentina, for its solid ecosystem of services and innovation.

During the closing of the 4th Regional Forum on Local Economic Development for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montevideo, awards were given to outstanding local economic development practices in the region. Enrique Galliccio, from CLAEH University Uruguay , presented the first award to the ADELCO Network of Colombia, received by Carlos Callejas, Executive Director of the National Network of Local Economic Development Agencies of Colombia , for its contribution to strengthening Local Economic Development Agencies (ADEL) , key to peacebuilding in Colombia. The second award went to the Barra de Quaraí – Montecaseros – Bella Unión Trinational Committee, received by José Luis Genta on behalf of the Vice President of the Committee for the Development of the Uruguay River Basin and President of the Trinational Committee, Maher Jaber Mahmud , for his work in regional integration and the development of the trinational biological corridor. Finally, the Development and Innovation Agency of Rafaela, Argentina, was recognized with the award received by Daniel Frana, president of the Federation of Development Agencies of the Argentine Republic (FADELRA) and Executive Director of ACDICAR, for its solid work in promoting territorial development and its outstanding ecosystem of services and innovation. These recognitions underline the region’s commitment to local economic development with a human face, improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.

The Regional Forum on Local Economic Development in Montevideo concluded with the reading of a final declaration , made by Mauricio Zunino, which will contribute to the VI World Forum on Local Economic Development in Seville 2025. During the closing ceremony, Mauricio Zunino, Mayor of Montevideo; Manuel Redaño, FAMSI manager and member of the WFLED Committee; and Gemma Aguado of the UNDP, highlighted “the importance of cooperation and innovation to face the challenges of local development.”

The conclusions and lessons learned from this forum will be essential to inform the discussions at the next World Forum on Local Economic Development, to be held in Seville, Spain, from 1 to 4 April 2025, where it is hoped to advance the political debate and strengthen global partnerships with a view to achieving concrete actions at local, national and global levels.