Panama will host an economic forum organized by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and the Panamanian government, an event that will bring together heads of state and government from the region. The forum aims to address urgent issues in Latin America and define joint actions to promote growth, inclusion, and competitiveness in the region. Among the confirmed leaders are the presidents of Panama, José Raúl Mulino; Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; Colombia, Gustavo Petro; Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz Pereira; Ecuador, Daniel Noboa; and Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo. The forum will also feature the participation of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, and the elected President of Chile, José Antonio Kast, who will speak at the heads of state session within the event's regional agenda. The event will take place on January 28 and 29 in Panama City. According to a presidential communiqué, ministers, vice-ministers, and high-ranking officials from Colombia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, Italy, Egypt, Uruguay, Argentina, El Salvador, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Spain, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Thailand, and the Philippines have also confirmed their attendance. Among the speakers are five former heads of state: the Colombians Iván Duque and Juan Manuel Santos, the Costa Rican Laura Chinchilla, the Chilean Eduardo Frei, and the former Prime Minister of Italy Enrico Letta. The presence of representatives from organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the European Commission, the OECD, OPEC, and ECLAC is also expected. The “Latin America and the Caribbean International Economic Forum 2026,” organized by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – in alliance with the National Government, will also gather entrepreneurs and global leaders.
