In an international scenario marked by the weaponization of economic relations and great power rivalry, in late 2024, the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, convened the Commission on Geopolitics, Globalization and Development for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Commission is independent and pluralistic, comprising 13 prominent and distinguished figures from various world regions, all serving in a personal and honorary capacity. Over the course of 18 months, the commissioners analysed the shifts reshaping global geopolitics and the world economy, and discussed their implications for development strategies in Latin American and Caribbean countries and for the region's international presence.

The resulting report, Ruptures and opportunities: proposals for Latin America and the Caribbean to thrive in the new geopolitical era, will be presented at a high-level event at ECLAC headquarters in Santiago on 4 August 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Chilean time (GMT/UTC -4). 

“This invitation by ECLAC speaks to the Commission’s historic and present role as a centre of intellectual leadership for the region: a space to rethink and reimagine development in light of shifting global and regional realities,” remarked José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC. 

The members of the ECLAC Commission on Geopolitics, Globalization and Development for Latin America and the Caribbean are:

Co-Chairs:

• Michelle Bachelet (Chile), President of Chile, 2006–2010 and 2014–2018.
• Iván Duque (Colombia), President of Colombia, 2018–2022.

Commissioners:

• Josep Borrell (Spain), High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, 2019–2024.
• Qian Liu (China), Founder and CEO of Wusawa.
• Leonardo Lomelí (Mexico), Rector of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
• Aloizio Mercadante (Brazil), President of the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) of Brazil.
• Mia Mottley (Barbados), Prime Minister of Barbados since 2018.
• Keith Nurse (Trinidad and Tobago), President of the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT).
• Shannon O'Neil (United States), Senior Vice President of Studies and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
• Lars-Hendrik Röller (Germany), Chair of the Berlin Global Dialogue.
• Harsha Vardhana Singh (India), Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization, 2005–2013.
• Vera Songwe (Cameroon), Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2017–2022.
• Brian Winter (United States), Editor-in-Chief of Americas Quarterly. 

The work of the Commission received the backing of the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, and Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed. It was supported by a technical secretariat based at ECLAC and benefited from that institution's analytical and empirical work.

Media outlets are invited to attend the report launch in person. 

Following the presentation, a press conference will be held with ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, President Michelle Bachelet, and President Iván Duque. It will include a question-and-answer session with accredited media, focusing on the report’s content. Please note that the co-chairs are participating in their capacity as members of this ECLAC Commission; therefore, they will not address current political issues unrelated to the report.

Journalists must wear their media outlet's press pass or identification card to gain access to the venue, and must register in advance via email, at [email protected]. 

WHAT: Launch of the report Ruptures and opportunities: proposals for Latin America and the Caribbean to thrive in the new geopolitical era.

WHO: 

• Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile.
• Iván Duque, former President of Colombia.
• José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC.

WHEN: Tuesday 4 August 2026, 10:30 a.m. Chilean time (GMT/UTC -4).

WHERE: ECLAC headquarters in Santiago, Chile (Av. Dag Hammarsköld 3477, Vitacura). Raúl Prebisch Conference Room.

Press conference (12:15 p.m. Chile time, in person only):

• Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile.
• Iván Duque, former President of Colombia.
• José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC.

Online connection over several platforms:

• ECLAC website: www.cepal.org
• Site: https://live.cepal.org
• Official X account: https://x.com/cepal_onu
• Official Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/cepal.onu

Press contact:

Enquiries regarding the Commission and press coverage of the report launch may be addressed to the ECLAC Public Information Unit in Santiago, Chile. Email: [email protected]; telephone: (56) 22210 2040.