The Latin American Council of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), at its 51st Regular Meeting, approved on Thursday the Work Programme of the organisation for 2026–2029, aimed at building a more prosperous, competitive and inclusive region by strengthening the institutional capacities of its Member States, promoting technical cooperation and generating innovative solutions that enhance regional resilience in the face of present and future challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The programme for 2026 focuses on the areas of Economic Recovery, Digitalisation and Infrastructure, and Social Development, which align regional priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

In the Economic Recovery Area, which seeks to break the low-growth trap by strengthening integration, activities were planned related to economic integration, trade facilitation, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

In the Digitalisation and Infrastructure Area, focused on the transformation towards a digitalised and smart economy and the transition to sustainable and resilient physical infrastructure, activities were defined for Digital Transformation, Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, and Sustainable Computing Infrastructure.

Likewise, in the Social Development Area, with the aim of eradicating poverty and mitigating inequality in the region, especially among the most vulnerable groups, activities were designed focusing on Sustainable and Resilient Development, Comprehensive Risk Management and Climate Change, as well as the promotion of a comprehensive vision of Human Mobility.

Through the Work Programme for 2026-2029, approved at the 51st Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council, SELA reaffirms its role as a coordinating, training and proactive body, through the optimal promotion of inclusive and sustainable public policies, establishing strategic partnerships that facilitate regional integration and productive transformation, demonstrating that regional integration is viable, positive and encouraging.

In addition to the Work Programme for 2026–2029, SELA’s Latin American Council also approved the Administrative Budget for 2026, the Audit Report on the Financial Statements of the Permanent Secretariat for 2024, and the appointment of a new Bureau comprising Colombia, Uruguay, Barbados and Cuba.

Furthermore, the Declaration: Ending the Economic, Commercial and Financial Blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba was also approved, on the grounds that the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba is incompatible with and violates international law and is contrary to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

The Latin American Council is SELA’s highest authority and is composed of one representative from each Member State. Its powers include considering, evaluating and approving: the work programme for the following year; the annual report presented by the Permanent Secretariat; the budget and financial statements of the mechanism; and examining the activities of the Secretariat and the Action Committees.

After 50 years of uninterrupted work, the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) has become a leading regional organisation, carrying out permanent consultation and coordination, cooperation and joint economic and social promotion work, with international legal personality, before countries, groups of nations, forums and international organisations.

During the 51st Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council, SELA reiterated that it is essential to work towards the integration of the region through intra-regional cooperation in order to advance towards economic recovery and the development of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.