We, the Heads of State and Government of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) met in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on March 1, 2024, in furtherance of our commitment to strengthen integration and give a united voice through consultation, concertation and political dialogue to the multiplicity of challenges, opportunities and strengths facing the region.
We stress the full validity of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, supported on the promotion and respect for the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter and international Law, that promotes the peaceful settlement of disputes, a system based on respectful relations of friendship and cooperation, free of threats, aggressions and unilateral coercive measures contrary to International Law, in an atmosphere of peace, stability and justice, in order to ban forever the use and threat of the use of force.
We reiterate our commitment to democracy, to promote, protect and respect human rights, international cooperation, the rule of law, multilateralism, respect for territorial integrity and non-intervention in the internal affairs of States and the defense of sovereignty, as well as the promotion of justice and the maintenance of international peace and security.
We recall that, in the spirit of what was stated in the Declaration of the Unity Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean of the Riviera Maya of 2010, democracy in the region represents a conquest achieved through popular struggle in accordance with the legal systems of the States. It has no place for interruptions or setbacks. In this regard, we reiterate our firmest commitment to the preservation of democratic values and to the full and unrestricted validity of the institutions and the rule of law in the region; access to public functions and its exercise; and respect for the constitutional faculties of the different powers of the State and the constructive dialogue between them; the holding of free, periodic, transparent, and informed elections based on universal suffrage and secret ballot as an expression of the sovereignty of the people, citizen participation, social justice and equality, the prevention of and the fight against corruption, as well as respect for all civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights recognized in the applicable international instruments.
Reaffirming our commitment to the rich body of principles and positions adopted in the Seven (7) Summits of Heads of State and Governments of CELAC.
Economic stability, Food Security and Social Cohesion
We commit to further consolidate a Latin American and Caribbean community of sovereign nations, capable of reaching consensus and fostering international cooperation, while recognizing our different political systems and economic diversity, on a coordinated approach to enriching the lives and welfare of our peoples through overcoming economic instability, combatting corruption and the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, especially extreme poverty, and the inequalities that mainly affect the groups in situations of vulnerability, taking into account the socio-cultural and economic challenges facing our community.
Further reiterate our commitment to promote and facilitate collective action and international cooperation, to reposition CELAC to impact on the growth and economic development of the entire community, by advancing the convergence criteria of the regional, sub-regional and international organizations of which we are members, continue advancing the work with these bodies by strengthening collaboration with the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), among others such as the Organization of Iberoamerican States (OEI) Latin American Development Bank (CAF) the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
We welcome the fact that Peru will host the fortieth session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in October 2024, which will be a valuable opportunity to propose novel and concrete actions for an inclusive and sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Concerned about the negative effects that unilateral sanctions and other unilateral coercive measures have on some of our member states, the consequences these measures have on the economic and social development of the targeted countries and the entire Latin-American and Caribbean region, we therefore call for the immediate cessation of blockades, illegal and unilateral sanctions and unilateral coercive measures against our member states as mandated by the UN General Assembly in compliance with International Law. We reiterate our rejection of the unilateral lists and certifications that affect Latin American and Caribbean States.
We welcome with satisfaction the adoption of the General Assembly Resolution on “Economic Unilateral Measures as a means of Political and Economic Coercion against developing countries,” particularly the United Nations Secretary General’s request to supervise, with the assistance and cooperation of Resident Coordinators and the United Nations Country Teams in the countries, the impact of unilateral coercive measures on affected countries, including the impact on trade and development. In this respect, we also welcome with satisfaction the launch of a uniformed and universal tool, developed by the Special Rapporteur on the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights, to monitor and assess the impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment in human rights, as well as economic and social development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by developing countries affected by these measures.
Recognize challenges faced by our societies as well as the need for financial resources in order to achieve SDG’s in their economic, social and environmental dimensions and the need for development policies based on multidimensional vulnerability indicators that are not limited to traditional per capita income and that are inclusive for all countries in the region.
Stress the need to have a fairer, more democratic, inclusive, and supportive international financial system that allows developing countries, including members of CELAC, access to necessary financial resources under fair, equitable, favorable, and transparent conditions including debt restructuring mechanisms and access to concessionary financing. In this context, as a complement to the objectives of existing multilateral processes on the financing the SDGs agenda, we welcome the Bridgetown Initiative call- for-action in the following key areas: the use of IMF Special Drawing Rights for climate finance as well as other development goals; restoration of debt sustainability; increase of development aid for SDG’s; mobilization of private investment for green energy; reform of the global financial institutions; and promotion of a sustainable transition in support of climate resilience, and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We acknowledge with concern the setbacks in the current pace of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 SDGs in the region; and ECLAC’s warning that, if the necessary actions are not taken, only about 25% of the goals set will be met by 2030. We reiterate our commitment to the full and effective implementation of this Agenda, recognizing that the SDGs are a fundamental step towards achieving inclusive Sustainable Development for all in our region.
Call upon developed country partners to fulfill their official development assistance (ODA) commitments to achieve the target of 0.7 per cent of ODA/GNI and 0.15 to 0.20 ODA/GNI to least developed countries.
We also reaffirm our commitment to free and fair agricultural trade, based on international rules and without distortions, reiterate our concern on the increase in trade restrictive measures adopted with the justification of conserving the environment, in a context of growing economic uncertainty and multiple crises, which makes complex world economic prospects and particularly affect the capacities of developing countries to meet their SDGs. We agree that unilateral trade restrictions inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) principles are inadequate to address environmental concerns and the promotion of sustainable development.
We recognize the central role of our region as a net food producer and exporter. Also recognize the net food importing countries within CELAC and the need for greater hemispheric trade and cooperation on Food Security and Nutrition. To this end, we support the terms and actions contained in the recommendations emanating from the CELAC Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture, held on January 16, 2024 in Santiago, Chile, which will allow us to continue with the consolidation and implementation of the regional strategy through a working group as stated in the [FNS] CELAC
Plan for Food Security and Nutrition and the Eradication of Hunger, by revitalizing the Latin America and the Caribbean political agreement, jointly with FAO and ECLAC, seeking to ensure the eradication of hunger, poverty, inequalities in the region in coherence with the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030.
Recognize the converging interests and objectives between the CELAC FSN Plan 2030 and the Brazilian G20 Presidency’s proposal for a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and commit to working to strengthen synergies between these initiatives, with a focus on reversing setbacks and making strides toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 1 (poverty eradication) and SDG 2 (zero hunger).
We reiterate the importance of Sustainable Food Production Systems based on Traditional Agriculture, that support resilience and inclusion are an improvement in food systems, and an alternative solution to solve global food problems. Likewise, they allow recovery through diversified production, generating sustenance and local and regional consumption.
We recognize the importance of the role that potatoes play as a food that can contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, we welcome the Resolution A/78/123 of December 8th, 2023, the General Assembly of the United Nations designated May 30 as the International Day of Potato.
We recognize the importance of family, peasant, and indigenous agriculture (FPIA) in ensuring food and nutritional security and the sustainable management of natural resources among other production systems. We emphasize the need to promote transformation of food systems that is socially inclusive and environmentally respectful. Therefore, we affirm the willingness to reactivate the working group on family farming and rural development of CELAC and highlight the opportunity to hold a high-level meeting on family farming.
We acknowledge that the consolidation of inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems, the promotion of the agriculture sector, especially family farming and food security, and the adaptation to the adverse impacts of climate change and natural disasters are strategic for the regional integration agenda and sustainable development of CELAC member countries while we affirm the importance of promoting an open, non-discriminatory, transparent, equitable and rules-based multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO) and looks forward to continuing the WTO negotiations consistent with existing mandates to further reform agricultural trade rules, with a view to achieving concrete and positive results at the thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference which took place in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Highlight the importance of camelids and their significant contribution to food security and their contribution to the survival of populations that live in areas of low temperatures, in arid and drought conditions, for which we reaffirm their commitment to the success of the celebration of the International Year of Camelids 2024, in accordance with the provisions of the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly A/RES/72/210 of December 20, 2017.
We recognize the role of sustainable tourism as a positive instrument for poverty eradication, protection of the environment, and better quality of life, and its contribution to the sustainable development of CELAC countries.
Regional Integration
We recognize the importance of promoting the expansion of opportunities in air services in the Latin American and Caribbean region, with a view to strengthening regional air connectivity. In this regard, we consider the possibility of establishing a Working Group to evaluate data related to direct connectivity utilizing our regional carriers.
We highlight, in particular, the bio-oceanic corridors as projects that are very relevant to the region with high strategic value and concrete integration initiatives that seek the socio-economic development of countries, increase physical integration, trade, investment and tourism. This will provide greater employment opportunities and a better quality of life for the people of the region, as well as promote regional complementarity in all aspects of the society.
In this regard, we highlight the Bio-Oceanic Integration Railway Corridor linking Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru and the Bio-Oceanic Road Corridor linking Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay, the Manta-Manaos projects, and the Trans-isthmic Corridor in Mexico that will facilitate land connections between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Likewise, we reaffirm the importance of the Paraguay-Parana Waterway as an instrument of regional integration and a tool to facilitate navigation and commercial transport, promoting its development, modernization, and efficiency to allow competitive access to overseas markets.
We welcome the organization of the High-Level Latin America Regional Review Meeting of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries for the Decade 2014–2024, held in Asuncion, Paraguay from 27 to 28 July 2023, and the resulting Asuncion Call for Action, adopted by consensus, which underlines that freedom of transit plays a key role in the overall development of LLDCs, and whose substantial contribution will be fundamental for the preparatory process of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2024.
As a follow up to the “Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology for the sustainable development (2022-2023)”, we highlight the need to deepen and promote the development of peaceful nuclear capabilities in the areas of health, food security and agriculture, radiological technology, nuclear education, radiological protection and safety, environmental applications, energy, and others for the benefit of our people. To this end, we agree to coordinate, plan and promote integrated approaches to peaceful nuclear applications, regional and international symposiums and other related activities to exchange cooperation strategies that strengthen regional infrastructure, capacity development, as well as to identify and disseminate opportunities to strengthen the development of the region’s nuclear sector, reaffirming the inalienable right of states to the development, research, production and peaceful use of nuclear energy without discrimination.
Commit to strengthen and enhance the role of CELAC as a mechanism for political integration in Latin America and the Caribbean and for dialogue with extra-regional partners and other key global actors and for collaboration with key global actors.
Health and Sanitation
Highlight the importance of the sustainability of the CELAC Health Self Sufficiency Plan, with the objective of strengthening the local and regional development, production and distribution of vaccines, medicines, critical supplies, and technology transfer to complement effective support for innovation, research and technological development. Welcome the initiative to deepen the inclusive dialogue to evaluate the establishment of a Regional Regulatory Agency which contributes to regional integration through greater cooperation in health regulation, in pursuit of access by CELAC member states, to safe effective and quality medicines and medical devices. Call on countries to align strategies and operations with universal commitments to accelerate and scale-up the collective efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases and achieve universal health coverage. ‘Strengthen health systems, enhance prevention and early detection measures and prioritize the integration of NCDS and mental health services into primary health care promoting climate-resilient health development and sustainability in health care without negatively affecting the ancestral and traditional knowledge of our peoples in order to contribute to intercultural and inter-scientific dialogue.
We express our willingness to continue to participate actively in the process of specific amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and the negotiation of the World Health Organization Agreement on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, maintaining a focus on the needs of developing countries, and ensuring universal and equitable access to healthcare and essential inputs such as vaccines, medications, and diagnostic tests.
Note the convocation of the 2024 United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on Antimicrobial which aims to mobilize political will and action at the national, regional, and international levels to address the drivers, sources, and challenges of antimicrobial resistance to ensure that healthcare systems and the sustainable development goals are not undermined by an inability to effectively treat infections and disease.
We commit to implement in accordance with national regulations, policies and programs aimed to promote awareness on the importance of a balanced diet, physical activity, and the prevention of any risk factors. It is also crucial to ensure equitable access to quality health services and promote early detection and appropriate treatment of diseases. Furthermore, we recognize the need to address social determinants of health, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services, which affect the health and well-being of our peoples.
Education, Humanities, Science, Technology and Innovation
Reaffirm the importance of all CELAC countries being able to rely on national tools to build educational data and indicators in order to support public policies on this issue, especially in the areas of literacy, digitalization and training for education professionals.
We agree on the importance of considering the evaluation of a framework for recognition of diplomas that facilitates mutual recognition between Member States. By promoting labour mobility by recognizing professional qualifications and skills, this process thus contributes to the development of more flexible and integrated labour opportunities for the Region and to fostering nationally and regionally consistent standards. The recognition of studies, degrees and diplomas in higher education in Latin America and the Caribbean, under clear criteria in accordance with national regulations, promotes broad mobility for students, graduates, professors and university researchers in the region.
We reaffirm our commitment to open and equitable scientific collaboration and recognize the important contributions that open science makes in the development of solutions to address global challenges. At the same time, we highlight the importance of developing initiatives aiming to address the factors that motivate the brain drain of specialized human resources in our countries, regardless of the conditions that motivate them, recognizing their importance for local development.
Acknowledging the Summit of Heads of State and/or Government of the Group of 77 and China on the Current Challenges of Development: the Role of Science, Technology and Innovation, held in Havana in September 2023, and its Declaration, as an effort to boost cooperation in this field. We highlight the holding of the CELAC Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, where a fruitful political debate on regional cooperation in science and technology was held with the aim of promoting a regional articulation for research, exchange and implementation of common solutions to the challenge of the right to development. In this regard, we express our interest in the work being undertaken and warmly welcome the proposal for the establishment of the Latin American and Caribbean Centre for Development of Science, Technology and Innovation and note the offer by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela for the headquarters to be located in Caracas, Venezuela.
Energy Transition, ICT and Space Cooperation
We renew our willingness to reactivate the meetings of CELAC Energy Ministers in compliance with the Buenos Aires Declaration. We value the importance of promoting regional connectivity through the development of regional infrastructure projects for energy integration, which can contribute to the economic development of Latin America and the Caribbean, taking advantage of the complementarity and availability of energy resources in the region, while agreeing to consider regional electricity interconnection projects respecting the sovereign right of each country and its national capacities, policies, and needs.
We recognize the importance of accelerating just, affordable, inclusive, and equitable energy transition and increasing renewable energy production, in order for countries in the region to achieve energy security taking into account the capacities and levels of development of each one and respecting their national policies and priorities.
Stress the potential of information and communications technologies to provide new solutions to development challenges and foster sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, as well as to achieve the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, and accordingly call upon digital cooperation through relevant regional mechanisms, to keep the goal of bridging the digital divides, in their different forms, and fostering digital inclusion, innovation and meaningful connectivity, through a people-centric lens, in line with the principles of the world summit on information society.
We recognize that the responsible, inclusive, people centered, and ethical design, development, deployment, and use of secure artificial intelligence systems has the potential to accelerate sustainable development, we also acknowledge that A.I. systems pose risks that are particularly challenging for developing countries. Therefore, we encourage all States to continue the negotiation process within the UN in order to develop an agreed international regulatory framework regarding A.I. and other systems.
We underscore the need to promote an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful information and communications technologies (ICT) environment and express our concern that these technologies and media can potentially be used for purposes that are inconsistent with the objectives of maintaining international stability and security and may adversely affect the integrity of the infrastructure of States, to the detriment of their national security.
We recognize that the malicious use of new technologies has promoted transnational organized crime and misconducts that threaten the well-being and integral development of children and adolescents, such as child sexual abuse, gender-based violence and human trafficking. Likewise, disinformation and the visible increase in cyber-attacks, including those through artificial intelligence and the use of algorithms, create risks to the stability of the essential infrastructure of States, companies and the well-being of people. We stress the need to improve coordination and cooperation between States in the fight against the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes and welcome the process at the UN whereby it is decided to
establish an ad hoc intergovernmental committee to elaborate a comprehensive international agreement on combatting the criminal misuse of information and communication technologies.
Recognize the importance of strengthening regional capacities and fostering cooperation for the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, including through, inter alia, bilateral agreements, and the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE).
South-South cooperation and Extra-Regional Relations
We recognize the important role of South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation as a complement rather than a substitute for North-South cooperation as complementary strategic instruments to move decisively forward with the fulfillment of the development objectives set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the BAPA+40, among others, as well as the objectives established nationally, and to contribute to closing socio-economic gaps, fighting hunger and poverty, overcoming vulnerabilities, promoting national well-being, and improving self-sufficiency in the countries of the South, from an intersectional, diverse and collective perspective. In this regard, we highlight the need to strengthen strategic alliances.
We express our satisfaction with the renewal of the meetings of the Heads of State between EU/CELAC, highlighting the third EU/CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government held on 17 – 18 July 2023, and we commit to consolidating the collaboration in equal conditions and mutual respect by working together as sovereign partners and without conditions or discrimination between the two regions, which will make possible the renewal of the bi-regional strategic partnership and increase high-level political dialogue between our countries as well as non-conditional cooperation and friendly relations between our peoples and respect for the sovereignty and internal affairs of the partners. In the context of the European Union’s announcement to mobilize financing for sustainable development for Latin America and the Caribbean we look forward to a mutually beneficial implementation of the Global Gateway Initiative, which takes into consideration the common priorities of both regions.
We warmly welcome the establishment of a consultative coordination mechanism between Extra-regional partners and CELAC. This initiative is designed to ensure seamless continuity and effective follow-up between high-level meetings, while concurrently facilitating the meticulous preparation and organization of ministerial gatherings on Foreign Affairs. We underscore the participation of the PTP of CELAC, supported by the Troika and the National Coordinators, within their responsibilities, as outlined in the Manual of Procedures for the Organic Functioning of CELAC, in order to fortify the foundations of our partnerships, promoting mutual understanding, and addressing shared challenges for the prosperity and well-being of our nations.
Reiterate the Community´s willingness to hold the CELAC-China Forum in 2024, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of that important space for cooperation and exchange.
Applaud the current initiative to engage with the African Union (AU) to strengthen the economic, cultural and social interaction between the two regions and welcome with satisfaction the proposal for the establishment of a technical working group to develop a structural approach for collaboration on areas of mutual interest.
Climate Change and Disaster Mitigation
Reiterate our willingness to work in a coordinated and concerted manner in order to achieve the principles and objectives of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, adopted under the UNFCCC, including the objective of keeping the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and to strengthening actions to implement efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this will significantly reduce the risks and effects of climate change, reaffirming international climate action and coping with biodiversity loss and pollution as a global priority based on the urgent need for coordinated action of each country and always in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and their respective national capabilities.
We emphasize the importance of the provision to developing countries of new, adequate, additional, and predictable resources, from developed countries, to enhance their actions in mitigation, adaptation and loss and damage response.
We also recognize the need to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse the biodiversity loss with a purpose to fully implement the three objectives of the convention on biological diversity, keeping in mind the importance to advance towards the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
We acknowledge that plastic pollution poses a serious global environmental problem, negatively impacting the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development, affecting the enjoyment of human rights, and having adverse effects on human health and the environment, including the marine environment. Therefore, we emphasize the importance of the work being carried out by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the development of a legally binding international instrument on plastic pollution.
We welcome the operationalization of a loss and damage fund at COP28 in Dubai to assist developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change in responding to loss and damage, and we urge new, additional, predictable and adequate contributions to the fund.
Recognizing the link between ocean and climate and expressing serious concern at the current and projected adverse effects of climate change, including rising seawater temperature, ocean deoxygenation, and sea level rise, as well as ocean acidification, on the marine environment and marine biodiversity, and emphasizing the urgency of addressing these adverse effects, considering also the importance of preserving the role of the ocean as a carbon sink.
We welcome the holding in our region of the following key meetings which will provide the opportunity to strengthen and highlight our collective efforts in those areas:
The 16th Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), hosted in Cali, Colombia.
High Level Event on Ocean Action “Immerse in Change” in San José, Costa Rica on June 7 and 8, 2024.
30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP 30) in Belem, Brazil between November 10 and 21, 2025.
We continue following the ongoing discussions to consider the concept of the Caribbean Sea as a Special Area in the context of sustainable development, aiming at an agenda that advocates actions for the conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources. We will focus on the conservation of key ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs, climate change mitigation, population resilience, and reducing the environmental impact of maritime activities, especially in solid waste management.
We emphasize the urgency of declaring Sargassum as an emerging risk associated with the climate crisis and the impact of human activities that affect the entire region of the Greater Caribbean which represents a threat to economic, social, and cultural development, particularly tourism, fishing, health and cultural activities of the population, as well as the sustainability of marine biodiversity and the stability of marine and coastal ecosystems.
We are aware that the worsening of drought and the advance of desertification and land degradation represent an urgent challenge and threat to the livelihoods of the region and reaffirm our commitment to take proactive measures to guarantee the sustainable land management in our region.
Reaffirm the right to safe drinking water and sanitation are internationally recognized human rights that each state must ensure to each person under its jurisdiction since they are essential for human dignity, development and the wellness of the population that are essential for the full enjoyment of life and we pledge to scale up efforts to provide access to sufficient, continuous safe, clean, accessible drinking water and sanitation for all, without discrimination, promoting the restoration of ecosystems and their ecosystemic services for water regulation, in accordance with the national legislation of each state, by respecting the sovereignty of each state over its natural resources taking into consideration the adverse effects of climate change, the advances of desertification, the worsening of drought and other water related disasters as well as the lack of capacity to ensure integrated water resource management. We also take note of the United Nations Water Conference and the work done to appoint a Special Envoy on Water and Sanitation.
We recognize the importance of the Climate Adaptation and Comprehensive Natural Disasters Response Fund (FACRID) of CELAC, aware of the serious impact of climate change and the effects it has on the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, with the purpose of implementing projects for the prevention, preparation, response, mitigation and recovery against disasters in the region, which allows the strengthening of capacities and the exchange of knowledge for disaster risk reduction. In this regard, we welcome the progress of the FACRID to facilitate a better regional response to disasters and encourage further support of it, including from Extra-Regional Partners.
Stress the importance of regional assistance and cooperation in disaster risk prevention, mitigation, reduction, and management, as well as disaster emergency response, immediate rehabilitation and sustainable reconstruction as a safeguard for sustainable development, in particular the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean, Landlocked Developing Countries and the countries of the Central American Isthmus, and the countries affected by the occurrence of the El Niño Phenomenon, as well as countries exposed to multiple threats. For attaining this goal, we advocate for the coordination of existing convergences in different regional and subregional organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean in an effort to take advantage of the potential of each one.
Stress our duty to defend the right to life on our Mother Earth, as well as the provision of the necessary financing, to obtain urgent and concrete results based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capacities, ensuring climate justice and the indispensable policy of reparations to compensate for losses and damages and to encourage direct, unconditional, and respectful cooperation.
We are aware that planet Earth and its ecosystems are our home, and that “Mother Earth” is a common expression in a number of countries and regions included in the scope of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/169. (Based on paragraph 16 of the 3rdCELAC-EU Summit Declaration).
We underscore the important role of forests in climate mitigation and adaptation, including through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) processes, and other policy approaches as decided by the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, developing States, including those with high forest low deforestation (HFLD) regions, consistent with Paris Agreement articles 5 and 6.
We highlight that it is essential for developing Countries and particularly Small Islands States that have maintained forest cover and other biodiversity-rich ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass, peatlands, old-growth forests, and marshes, over
decades of utilization / sustainable management and use, to pursue opportunities to mobilize finance.
Peace and Security
Emphasize the urgency of re-engaging in the pursuit of maintaining international peace and security according to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and International Law, in view of the current challenges to all regions arising from the complex international context.
Celebrate the tenth anniversary of the proclamation of the Latin American and Caribbean region as a zone of peace, the Second CELAC Summit, held in Havana in January, 2014, in which our countries committed to treat our differences, controversies and disputes peacefully through dialogue, negotiation and other forms of settlement in accordance with the sovereignty of the states and international law.
Stress the need to preserve Latin America and the Caribbean from the scourge of war, the instability of armed conflicts, measures of militarization and arms races, believing that the region should be preserved from extra-regional political tensions and rivalries that are foreign to it, and expressing our common goal to resolve threats to peace and security within the region.
We commend the Presidency Pro Tempore of St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Brazil and the Chairman of CARICOM for convening the meeting for dialogue and peace between the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela and welcome the resulting Declaration of Argyle in all its elements.
Reiterate the call of the United Nations General Assembly to put an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which in addition to being contrary to international law, causes serious damage to the well-being of the Cuban people. Likewise, we reiterate our rejection of the unilateral lists and certifications that affect Latin American and Caribbean countries. In this regard, we request the exclusion of Cuba from the unilateral list of countries that allegedly sponsor international terrorism.
Reiterate our profound respect for the prohibition of the threat or use of force in international relations against the political independence of any state, the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-interference in the internal affairs of states. Further recall the Tlatelolco Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean we reiterate our deep concern about the threat that the existence of nuclear weapons represents to humanity, as well as their humanitarian impact. We unequivocally condemn any threat of its use, whether explicit or implicit; We emphasize that nuclear weapons should not be used under any circumstances and that the use or threat of their use constitutes a flagrant crime against humanity and violation of International Law, including International Humanitarian Law and the Charter of the United Nations. Thus the only effective guarantee against the use or the threat of use of nuclear weapons is the total prohibition and elimination in a transparent, verifiable, irreversible manner and within a clearly defined timeframe. We commit to promote and advance nuclear disarmament as a priority objective, as a contribution to general and complete disarmament.
We reaffirm our support for the peace process in Colombia, as well as the commitment to advance in dialogues with the National Liberation Army (ELN), and other armed actors.
Reaffirm the “CELAC Special Declaration on the need to provide support to the Republic of Haiti due to its implications for peace and security in the region” adopted on September 19, 2022. In this regard, we reiterate our deep concern over the increasing deterioration of the public security and humanitarian situation in the Republic of Haiti, calling on all Haitian political actors to face the challenge with a sense of urgency and for the benefit of the Haitian people. We emphasize that the current crisis demands a Haitian-led solution that encompasses broad dialogue among civil society and political actors. We recognize the role of countries and organizations in the region in assisting the political movement towards social peace in Haiti and in supporting the political dialogue between the government and the different political parties and institutions of Haitian society with the aim of outlining a roadmap that will allow them to overcome the current crisis.
We call for the prompt and effective implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution 2699 (2023), including the establishment of the necessary security conditions in Haiti as a means to hold free and fair elections in Haiti and lay the foundations for long term sustainable economic and social development in the country, strengthening security and addressing the underlying structural causes of ongoing violence and vulnerability.
Peoples of African Descent, Indigenous People and Decolonization
Ratify the commitment to promote, respect, guarantee and protect the rights of Afro-descendants and reiterate our support for UN fora and mechanisms for the follow-up of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, as well as the Permanent Forum on Peoples of African Descent, which was established through Resolution 75/314 adopted on 2 August 2021 by the United Nations General Assembly, as a consultative mechanism and advisory body to the Human Rights Council, as well as the UNGA resolution 75/170, adopted on December 16, 2020, proclaiming August 31 as the International Day for People of African Descent. We welcome the operationalization of the Working Group, created by CELAC in 2021, to discuss issues related to persons of African descent. Express our support for the renewal by the UNGA of the international decade for people of African descent and for the negotiations of a United Nations declaration on the rights of people of African descent.
Reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032, whose objective is to protect, use, preserve and protect indigenous languages, in favor of guaranteeing the rights of indigenous peoples.
Request the UN to ensure that the appropriate funding is provided by the United Nations for the Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in order to carry out its mandate.
We welcome the initiative presented by the Pro Tempore Presidency of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to activate the Technical Working Group on Afro-descendants of CELAC, and we commit to continuing to support this initiative in the upcoming Pro Tempore Presidencies, as well as to implement the Declaration of the Afro-descendant Working Group of CELAC dated November 29, 2022, presented in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
We are aware of the importance of recognizing and protecting the traditional knowledge and ancestral knowledge of Latin American Indigenous, Afro-descendant and native peoples. We recognize in them their enormous potential to promote innovative solutions to regional problems and we call for their proper use and respectful use with the prior and informed consent of their custodians.
We also call for a fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge, according to national legislation, and we further stress the need to promote and support local initiatives of Latin American Indigenous, afro-descendant and local communities that involve the use of their traditional knowledge.
Pledge to continue working within the framework of International Law, and in particular, Resolution 1514 (XV) of the United Nations General Assembly of December 14, 1960, to ensure that the region of Latin America and the Caribbean is a territory free of colonialism and colonies.
Reiterate the strongest regional support for the legitimate rights of the Argentine Republic in the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime spaces, as well as the permanent interest of the countries of the region in the resumption of negotiations between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in order to find, as soon as possible, a final and peaceful solution to this dispute, in accordance with the provisions of the Resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
We reiterate the firm support for the right to self-determination of peoples from small island territories of the Caribbean, which constitute the majority of the Non-Self-Governing Territories of our region, and call to continue to take measures to facilitate the sustained and balanced growth of their fragile economies.
Reaffirm the Latin American and Caribbean character of Puerto Rico and recognize the efforts made and the resolutions adopted by the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization on the situation in Puerto Rico. We reiterate that this is a matter of high interest for CELAC.
We reaffirm our commitment to comprehensive management of the growing migratory flows in the region as stated in paragraphs 67, 68, and 69 of the Buenos Aires Declaration, with the aim of achieving safe, orderly and regular migration, based on the full respect and validity of the human rights of migrants, also addressing the concerns and rights of host communities, and humanitarian management whose challenges should be addressed jointly by countries of origin, transit, destination and return.
Understanding the importance of cultural and archaeological heritage for the countries of the region, we will consolidate spaces for cooperation to work for the protection, research and promotion of heritage through the prevention of illicit trafficking and collaboration for the processes of return of heritage pieces.
We also emphasize the need to increase cooperation efforts to ensure the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the conservation of their lands and territories, and the promotion of rights of a free prior and informed consent in particular for Indigenous Peoples living in isolation or in initial contact, taking into account their particular situation of high vulnerability, interdependence with their territories and natural resources in line with international obligations on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Transnational Organized Crime and World Drug Problem
We take note of the Final Document of Santiago de Cali, emanating from the Latin American and Caribbean Conference on Drugs, held from September 7 to 9, 2023, in Cali, Colombia, in which the countries reiterate our common commitment to address comprehensive, multidisciplinary, balanced, broad, based on scientific evidence, and effectively, the World Drug Problem, which requires addressing the structural causes and adopting concerted and sustained measures at the national, regional and international level; among them, accelerating compliance with current obligations and commitments on drug policies.
Welcome the results achieved during the meeting of the Coordination and Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs of the CELAC-EU, held in La Paz, Bolivia on February 22, 2024, which was recognized as a bi-regional space for dialogue on drug policies and during which the Declaration of La Paz was adopted.
We commit to deepen cooperation mechanisms in the fight against transnational organized crime, corruption, illicit drug-trafficking, illicit trafficking of firearms, ammunition and explosives, trafficking in persons, migrant smuggling, illegal mining, crimes that affect the environment according to national legislation, money laundering and other related crimes.
We further commit to strengthen cooperation and technical assistance in legislative and judicial matters, exchange of experiences, application of investigation techniques, recovery and repatriation of assets, protection, care, and reparation to victims.
Gender Equality, Women, Youth, and Persons with disabilities.
We reiterate our commitment to address the multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination faced by all women and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we reaffirm that, in order to promote gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, it is imperative to take all necessary actions and strategies to support the implementation of care policies; recognize the disproportionate impacts of climate change and other environmental issues on all women and girls, especially those in vulnerable, marginalized situations and conflict settings; recognize the contribution of all women to peace and security and promote an increasing participation of Women in peace processes, including mediation; encourage the full, meaningful and equal participation of women in leadership positions and decision-making spaces, and to eliminate all harmful practices, gender stereotypes and all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against women.
Recognize that the unfair distribution of time use and the current social organization of care disproportionately affect women, particularly those who live in contexts of poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. In accordance with the Buenos Aires Commitment adopted by the member states of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in November 2022, during the XV Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is necessary to advance in the right to care,and to exercise self-care based on the principles of equality, universality and social and gender co-responsibility and, a responsibility that must be shared by people from all sectors of society, families, communities, companies and the State.
We support the formation of a regional policy working group focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the region.
We stress the need to adopt all necessary measures to guarantee effective access to human rights for people with disabilities and the removal of physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent their effective exercise.
We commit to implement the Youth Council of Latin America and the Caribbean, selecting the representatives of each country and developing its axes, taking into account the problems raised by young people in the design and adoption of public policies.
Reparatory justice
We deeply abhor the unimaginable suffering inflicted on millions of men, women, and children as a result of the transatlantic slave trade in enslaved Africans, chattel slavery, native genocide and indentureship in the region. We highlight our full support to the principles and elements set out in the declaration and the Durban Programme of Action, in particular the recognition that slavery and the slave trade, which includes the transatlantic slave trade are appalling tragedies in the history of mankind, not only because of their abhorrent barbarity, but also because of their magnitude and organized character and especially, their denial of the essential nature of the victims, stressing that slavery and the slave trade constitute a crime against humanity, resulting in a legacy of inter-generational trauma, racism and underdevelopment.
We welcome the CARICOM Ten Point Plan on Reparatory Justice as a conceptual and actionable framework based on a collective developmental approach, including around the issues of healthcare, education, psychological rehabilitation and economic and cultural development. We therefore request that appropriate measures be taken to restore the dignity of victims, including reparations to help heal our collective memory and reverse the legacies of underdevelopment, including around the issues of healthcare, education, cultural development, and food security. In this regard, we take note of a formal proposal to evaluate ways to establish the historical truth and the clarification of the historical process of the European colonization of Latin America and the Caribbean.
General Provisions
We value and appreciate the work and efforts of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during its presidency to consolidate on the work done by its predecessors and we thank the Government and people for their kind hospitality during this Summit.
We welcome Colombia as a member of the Troika which would include, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Honduras.
Welcome the incoming Pro Tempore Presidency of Honduras, 2024, take note of the priorities indicated and pledge our full support in the performance of your tenure.
