At a press conference, held on Tuesday, July 16, the fourth edition of the  4th Regional Forum on Local Economic Development for Latin America and the Caribbean was presented , which this year will have Montevideo as its headquarters.

The mayor of Montevideo, Mauricio Zunino, participated; the director of the Department of Economic Development, Gustavo Cabrera; and the director of the International Relations and Cooperation Division, Fabiana Goyeneche.

Representatives of international and national organizations, academia and civil society, among others, were also present.

The Regional Forum will be the largest local development event in the region and  will take place on Monday August 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday August 28  at the  Conference Center of the  communal headquarters building (Av. 18 de Julio 1360, 1 and a half floor) .

It is  free entry upon registration  by completing  this form . It can also be followed via streaming on  TV Ciudad .

Montevideo has been chosen to host due to the recognition and prestige it holds worldwide, for its policies linked to human, economic, local and sustainable development, as well as its international action with more than 30 years of experience. At the same time, it coincides with the anniversary of its 300 years, so a multitude of proposals are offered to celebrate its history and think about its future.

This Regional Forum will be the prelude to the World Forum on Local Economic Development in Seville (Spain) , in April 2025. 

It is possible thanks to the Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI); United Nations Development Program (UNDP); United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG); International Labor Organization (ILO); from ORU – Fogar; and the Global Fund for Cities Development (FMDV). It also has the support of the IDB, CAF, ECLAC and IOM.

For three days,  more than 200 people are expected to participate,  including representatives of international, national and local organizations; of subnational governments and city networks; from companies, institutions and other private entities; of research centers in the region and development agents; from academia and social organizations.

The exhibitors will take part in  working groups and workshops to exchange experiences, good practices and reflect on local development , from an inclusive, sustainable and equitable perspective.

The objective of the Forum will be  to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration for the construction of comprehensive local economic development policies in the region. Under the axis “Territorial alliances and challenges in the economic model of local development in Latin America and the Caribbean”, local development, the environment, global agendas, the  Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , the world of work, mobility human rights, gender equality, innovation, knowledge production, alliances and cooperation will be some of the topics worked on.

Zunino pointed out the commitment that local governments must have to be able to carry out development dynamics because ” we have to look at a small scale in a more human and territorial way, not so focused on global macroeconomic indicators .”

Cabrera, for his part, highlighted that work will continue along this line since ” development is not only linked to science and technology but also to the dimensions of public policies in the regional framework, with the necessary complementarity to carry them out.” ”.

Goyeneche highlighted the role that Montevideo has historically played in its international insertion and mentioned the different organizations and institutions that participate in the organization.

In addition, he highlighted the contribution from different perspectives, both from academia, civil society and government institutions and regional and international organizations.

Goyenche also recalled that the Forum tries to think about development in different ways  “and the contribution that we make locally to reach a new conception, on the path towards the sustainable development agenda .”

Activities

This Regional Forum will have  11 exhibition tables and two work workshops.  The full agenda of activities can be accessed on the  event’s official website .

The panelists will present on:

  • New perspectives and models for local economic development
  • The university and the knowledge society as keys to local economic development: new visions and innovation
  • Territorial alliances: development agencies and other instruments for promoting development in the face of new regional challenges
  • Economic autonomy and empowerment of women
  • Presentation of innovative practices in economic development
  • Financing local economic development policies: innovative territorial financing ecosystems 
  • Migration with a view to local economic development.
  • Employment, public management and social justice
  • Integration and economic-productive complementarity
  • Alliances to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Reflections on SDG 8
  •  New post-covid local policies and alliances for people-based local economic development.
  • Impact of climate change on economic development.