“SELA has understood that regional convergence has become a priority goal for sustainable development and the reduction of inequalities in our region through a broad and sincere dialogue that allows us to bring positions closer and resolve differences in a constructive manner; in short, to converge towards real integration,” the Permanent Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), Ambassador Clarems Endara, said during the 50th Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council of the organisation, held on Wednesday, 11 December.

“We at SELA understand integration as a whole, in which the economic aspect is a structural part of the definitions for the formulation of strategies, but which is no longer the only way to support the region, and that is why we recognise the important role played by the social, political and, very fundamentally, the educational and cultural aspects to make this region a convergent region,” Ambassador Endara emphasised.

He also stressed that “the region needs us, and this phrase is not a commonplace; it is a true call for coordinated work, for planned actions based on the understanding of the needs of Latin America and the Caribbean, for concerted actions resulting from dialogue and intra-regional, subregional and extra-regional work.”

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that “More and better integration’” has become the initial motivation of the management and continues to be the “articulating idea” that made it possible to present to the membership a “percentage of execution of more than 85% of the Work Programme for 2022-2026, with a scope that exceeds 4,600 beneficiaries in the various areas related to the activities” of the three working areas of SELA. 

“These figures, executed with great conviction in our mandate, not only speak of the will of the Permanent Secretariat and its staff, committed to the execution of their mandates, but it is also a call to generate interaction with the departments and agencies of the Member States, in order to make the best possible use of the various tools and valuable information that we make available to you (…) The region gives us everything, it is in our hands to add to its already existing wealth (…) We at SELA have understood that Latin America and the Caribbean is presented to the world as a source of solutions to major issues, and all this can lay the foundations for a growth that is not only more sustainable, but also more sustained,” he said.He also stressed that the region is in a dynamic situation that requires renewed, effective organisations with a convergent vision. “We believe in the need to focus on adding value to the region through concerted actions and we are committed to continue being a proactive body that not only generates spaces for discussion, but also promotes knowledge through coordinated actions with its members and that contributes to the formulation of proposals, materialises actions that result in benefits for Latin America and the Caribbean and serves as a space for meeting and agreement,” he added.

Furthermore, he pointed out that, “in an increasingly globalised world, it is imperative that the countries of the region work together to strengthen their economies and take advantage of the opportunities offered by integration, global value chains, international insertion and beneficial trade facilitation measures.”

“On this fiftieth anniversary of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System, I reaffirm my commitment and that of the staff of the Permanent Secretariat to the promotion of integration, and I would like to express my gratitude for the trust that has been delegated to me by your nations,” Ambassador Clarems Endara concluded in his speech at the 50th Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council of the organisation, which was attended by the representatives of the Member States, Observers and Special Guests.

During the 50th Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council, SELA renewed its commitment with its Member States to achieve more and better integration through a common regional agenda that contributes to the growth of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Latin American Council is composed of one representative from each Member State. Its functions include considering, evaluating and approving the work programme for the following year; the annual report presented by the Permanent Secretariat; the budget and financial status of the mechanism; and the activities of the Secretariat and the Action Committees.

In its 49 years of uninterrupted work, SELA has become a regional organisation of reference, conducting consultation and coordination, cooperation and joint economic and social promotion tasks, on a permanent basis, with international legal personality, before countries, groups of nations, forums and international organisations.