The Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), Ambassador Lesly David, participated in the China–Latin America and the Caribbean (China–LAC) Symposium on Development Cooperation, held in São Paulo, Brazil, on 28 and 29 September, within the framework of the Global Development Network (GDN). This event was jointly organised by the China Centre for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD) and Brazil’s Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA).

During his speech, which focused on changes in the strategic environment and bilateral trade challenges, Ambassador Lesly David called for moving beyond the traditional trade model to forge a relationship based on innovation and sustainable development. “China has established itself as one of our region’s main trading partners, with trade exceeding US$500 billion annually. However, beyond the sheer scale of this trade, the key challenge we face is not to trade more, but to trade better,” he stated.

​In this regard, he argued that the bi-regional relationship must evolve into a partnership with greater value added that actively responds to current global dynamics. “At SELA, we believe that the current situation calls for the development of a new narrative for China–LAC cooperation, based on a balanced approach to opportunities and challenges, but also on a greater ability to identify priorities, coordinate capabilities and translate dialogue into concrete results,” the Permanent Secretary emphasised.

He added that technological cooperation, the energy transition and digital transformation represent areas with enormous potential for boosting regional competitiveness, emphasising that: “Cooperation must go beyond simply incorporating technology. It must help us develop talent, generate knowledge and strengthen local innovation.”

​ Highlighting the progress made at the III LAC-China Development Forum, held in Zhengzhou, the Ambassador reiterated that regional connectivity should not be limited to physical infrastructure. “It must encompass logistics, ports, energy, digital transformation, finance and innovation to effectively facilitate trade and productive integration,” he stated. Faced with the challenge of regional fragmentation, he reaffirmed SELA’s mission as a connector of capabilities and institutions to translate dialogues and investment opportunities into real projects.

​ Strategic partnership for regional economic research

As part of the event, Ambassador Lesly David held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA), Luciana Mendes Santos Servo, an economist with experience in planning, public finance and evaluation of social policies.

​The aim of the meeting was to consolidate strategic partnerships in order to strengthen economic research, data generation and the formulation of regional public policies with a lasting impact. SELA and IPEA agreed on the importance of coordinating institutional efforts to tackle common challenges such as productive inclusion, the digital divide and sustainable economic transformation in the region.

Through this participation, SELA reaffirms its leading role in creating forums for multilateral dialogue that promote greater coordination, convergence and integration in Latin America and the Caribbean.