SELA and CELAC present strategies towards the elimination of roaming charges in Latin America and the Caribbean

The gradual reduction of roaming costs is a priority area for action in the context of the digitalization efforts being made by Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this connection, the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), organized the online “Seminar: Towards the elimination of roaming charges in Latin America and the Caribbean” to create a space for discussion and learning of best practices that will gradually lead to the elimination of roaming charges.

“The benefits of reducing and subsequently eliminating roaming charges are multiple, allowing for strengthening regional integration, improving the social well-being of the population and boosting the economic performance of the countries,” the Permanent Secretary of SELA, Ambassador Clarems Endara, said.

Gustavo Martínez Pandiani, Undersecretary for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs and National Coordination of the Argentine Presidency Pro Tempore of CELAC, asked: “How is it possible that in Latin America we still do not have a roaming system that would allow us to communicate better?” He also acknowledged the importance of synergies to advance regional integration. “We are proud that SELA is our partner, because the challenges ahead are enormous. CELAC countries are united by the challenges we face,” he added.

Marianella Guzmán, Telecommunications and Energy Officer at the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN); Jennifer Britton, Deputy Director of Information and Communication Technologies for Development Programmes at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Selby Wilson, Director of Finance and Administration at the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU); Nicolás Evers, Planning and Development Manager of the National Telecommunications Commission of Paraguay at the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR); Daniel Carletti, National Directorate of International Affairs of the National Telecommunications Agency at the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR); Sheldon López, Undersecretary of Telecommunications at the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society of Ecuador (MINTEL); and Mauricio Agudelo, Technology, Media and Telecommunications Specialist at CAF-development bank of Latin America were part of the select panel of this Seminar.

SELA and CELAC are organizing three more seminars on issues linked to the joint work agenda, within the framework of the necessary coordination for the integration of the region.