ECLAC participates in the International Meeting of Economies for Life within the framework of COP16

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) participated in the International Meeting of Economies for Life, held during the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Biodiversity (COP16). The event served to highlight organizations and companies in the social and solidarity economy (ESS) sector, positioning them as key actors in the transformation of development policies at the local and regional level.

During the event, Felipe Correa, from the Productive and Business Development Division of ECLAC, emphasized that the social and solidarity economy is fundamental for the comprehensive well-being of people, societies and communities. He stressed that this approach goes beyond being an economic system, since it is also a socio-political and cultural proposal that places people and their well-being at the center.

Regional challenges and commitment to economies for life

Correa also highlighted the growing interest in the social and solidarity economy in the region. “This sector has aroused growing interest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and many countries have already strengthened their policies and institutions to support the social and solidarity economy,” he assured. Proof of this is the improvement of statistical systems that allow a more precise diagnosis of the sector’s needs, facilitating the development of more effective and relevant policies.

Along the same lines, he highlighted the implementation of the Ibero-American Network of Social and Solidarity Economy, in which ECLAC and the government of Colombia participate, as a key initiative for the advancement of the sector. He also pointed out the importance of the recent report published by the Secretary of the United Nations, which reinforces the idea that the social and solidarity economy is a sector capable of contributing comprehensively to development.

Correa concluded his speech by recognizing the challenges present in the region, but emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean are on the right path. “The region’s efforts to develop a social and solidarity economy are being recognized by the international community and are already beginning to bear fruit,” Correa stated.

ECLAC’s participation in this meeting reinforces the organization’s work to promote and strengthen policies that integrate the social and solidarity economy as part of productive development in Latin America and the Caribbean.