Cold chain infrastructure in Paraguay

A cold chain system refers to the sequence of production and logistics processes that enable the production, transportation, storage, and distribution of food, pharmaceuticals, immunobiological, agricultural inputs, cosmetics, and other temperature-sensitive products under controlled temperatures. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a cold chain system includes the stages of pre-cooling, storage, transportation, distribution, retail, and domestic refrigeration (FAO, 2015). When applied to food production, the goal of a cold chain system is to keep pr…

International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2025: International trade in a new era of weaponized interdependence. Executive summary

This edition of the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean analyses the sea change in United States trade policy in 2025, which is set against the backdrop of the weaponized interdependence occurring in the wider global economy. Although its impact on global and regional trade in 2025 has not been as pronounced as anticipated at the beginning of the year, projections for 2026 point to a marked slowdown. In general, exports from the region to the United States are subject to lower tariffs than those imposed on most of its main competitors, but this could cha…

Report on the activities of the Commission, 2024

ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. Established in February 1948 and headquartered in Santiago, the Commission’s main mandate is to contribute to the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean. In June  1951, the Commission established the ECLAC subregional headquarters in Mexico City, which serves the needs of the Central American countries, as well as Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Mexico, and in December 1966, the ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean was founded in Port of Spain, to serve the Caribbean subregion. In addit…

Enhancing data for development: policy imperatives for tracking the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean. Policy Brief

For small island developing States (SIDS), sustainable development is a delicate balance of pursuing economic growth, social development and environmental stewardship in the context of economic volatility, social challenges, climate change threats and global uncertainties while striving to build resilience. Recognized as a special case for development since the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, SIDS remain highly vulnerable to external shocks due to their small economies, limited connectivity and reliance on external markets. Over the years, global frameworks such …

Port report 2023–2024: mixed signals in trade and ports and new disruptions to international container shipping logistics

This report analyses the state of international maritime trade and port activity for the period 2023–2024. It highlights recovery trends, structural challenges and new disruptions impacting the sector. Consistent with the analysis in the previous report, this report examines the effects of global events, such as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and persistent geopolitical tensions, the repercussions of which continue to impact supply chains. It also identifies emerging trends in logistics management and factors behind fluctuations in port activity and provides an analysis of the mar…

Relations between Latin America and the Caribbean and China: areas of opportunity for more productive, inclusive and sustainable development

This document is a contribution by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to discussions of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). It describes the areas of opportunity for advancing towards a common cooperation agenda that fosters more productive, inclusive and sustainable development It draws on the ECLAC analysis of the development traps facing the region and the strategies to overcome them through a set of vital transformations and a new generation of productive development policie…

The role of trade and transport infrastructure in food security in Latin America and the Caribbean

This FAL Bulletin analyses the role of trade and transport infrastructure in food security in Latin America and the Caribbean. It identifies the main challenges and opportunities for ensuring equitable and sustainable access to food in the region. It also includes strategic recommendations to strengthen the contribution of trade, especially intraregional trade, to regional food security.…

CEPAL Review No. 145

International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2024. Executive summary. Accessible version

This edition of the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean analyses how the complex global context, marked by increased protectionism, geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions, is affecting the region’s international trade. It examines the role of international trade in regional food security —and the lack thereof, especially in the Caribbean— despite the region being the world’s leading net food exporter. It also analyses the role of modern services as a driver of exports. Recommendations for the development of modern services include reducing restrictions, harm…

Sustainable inland transport connectivity indicators: Plurinational State of Bolivia, 2024

The Sustainable Inland Transport Connectivity Indicators (SITCIN) evaluate the efficiency of transport systems and the alignment of legal frameworks with international legal instruments for transport and border-crossing facilitation. SITCIN enables countries to track their progress in areas such as the implementation of regional or international conventions on transport, harmonization of national rules with UN legal instruments, achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Vienna Programme of Action. This tool was developed as part of the United Nations Development Account (UND…

Nearshoring in Mexico: diverse options for industrial upgrading

Mexico has been a “nearshoring” platform for the United  States (U.S.) economy on a regular basis in recent decades. However, the nature and degree of Mexico’s integration within North America, as well as its ability to create and capture value and innovation rents in its core domestic industries, have varied over time. Previous examples of nearshoring in Mexico in the automotive and textile and apparel industries, we well as regional trade agreements like NAFTA and USMCA and global trade conflicts such as the U.S.-China trade war, have made Mexico a likely candidate to take advantage of recen…

Exponential technologies for managing inland waterway transport

This FAL Bulletin addresses smart navigation systems, such as smart waterway systems and port community systems. The purpose of this analysis is to explore global experience in the digitalization of logistics and transport processes for application to waterway management in South America and empower national and regional public institutions to lead the digital transformation of external trade with a view to reducing operational risks and narrowing the digital divide between Latin America and the Caribbean and other regions.…

Progress and challenges in road safety in Latin America and the Caribbean

This FAL Bulletin concerns the work carried out by the Infrastructure Services Unit in the implementation of projects funded by the United Nations Road Safety Fund. This edition analyses progress and challenges in road safety in recent years, as well as the contributions of the Fund, which have had a positive impact in terms of reducing road accidents in the Latin American and Caribbean region.…

Progress and challenges of public-private partnerships and the importance of institutions for sustainable infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean

This FAL Bulletin sets out some of the characteristics of public investments in infrastructure through public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as challenges they face. It also looks at the performance of institutions and the importance of raising the standard of investments —whether public or private— under approaches oriented towards sustainable-development. The importance of stakeholder participation throughout the project life cycle is underlined as a particularly pivotal requirement for the sustainability of assets and their services.…

International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean, 2024: Reconfiguration of global trade and options for regional recovery

This edition of the International Trade Outlook for Latin America and the Caribbean analyses how the complex global context, marked by increased protectionism, geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions, is affecting the region’s international trade. It examines the role of international trade in regional food security —and the lack thereof, especially in the Caribbean— despite the region being the world’s leading net food exporter. It also analyses the role of modern services as a driver of exports. Recommendations for the development of modern services include reducing restrictions, harm…

CEPAL Review No. 144

Efficient and quality infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean: how to improve investment performance

This FAL Bulletin analyses the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure investments to promote better outcomes and facilitate the closing of the infrastructure gap in Latin America and the Caribbean. The document outlines the importance of project performance in promoting quality infrastructure. In addition to examining the recent evolution of the World Bank’s logistics performance index (LPI) in the countries of the region, it proposes specific methodologies to improve the management of public infrastructure and reiterates key principles for achieving higher quality in project implement…

Report on the activities of the Commission, 2023

In 2023, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary. Since its establishment in 1948, ECLAC has been a leader in generating applied knowledge and research from the perspective of the region. The Commission’s commitment has remained strong throughout these past decades, contributing to the design and implementation of public policies taking into consideration the needs and demands of member States. This report on the activities undertaken by ECLAC in 2023 highlights the Commission’s key achievements and contributions and is hereb…

Paperless trade system of the Republic of Korea: an analysis of the UNIPASS and uTradeHub single windows

Over the last two decades, the concept of the single window for foreign trade has become an increasingly important item on the global trade facilitation agenda. Asia is home to some of the world’s most advanced single windows, and the Republic of Korea is among the pioneers in the transition towards a paperless trade environment. This document presents the history and main features of its dual system, composed of two interconnected single windows: UNIPASS and uTradeHub. The experience in the Republic of Korea may be useful for policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean, where single windo…

Intergenerational relations: creating a world for all ages so that no one is left behind

This paper, prepared jointly by the five regional commissions of the United Nations, explores the social and economic challenges and opportunities of demographic shifts towards multigenerational societies across the countries covered by the five regional commissions. It discusses the latest evidence on demographic trends and intergenerational relations, labour markets, social protection, care, living arrangements and digitalization across regions, and it provides recommendations to build societies for all ages. With a strong interdisciplinary and interregional focus, the paper addresses interg…