Month: September 2025

Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, warned of the political challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean today, such as nationalism and democratic instability. He emphasized the importance of the emergency of new leaders who can promote unity and dialogue. He also highlighted the education of young leaders as the region faces current challenges.

New York, September 24, 2025 – The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin, warned of the political and democratic challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean today, during remarks delivered at the opening of the VII Global Forum “Latin America and the Caribbean 2025.”

Ramdin noted that the region is experiencing a period of uncertainty, marked by changes in leadership, the weakening of multilateralism, and a loss of confidence in institutions. In this context, he highlighted the importance of the new leaderships that will emerge from the 2025-2026 electoral cycle — which includes elections in 18 of the 32 OAS-member countries— and who will be able to promote unity, dialogue, and mutual respect.

The Secretary General also warned of the risks of nationalism, public debt, extreme poverty, and organized crime. These factors, combined with the erosion of trust in regional organizations, jeopardize democratic stability. He recalled that in the last decade two countries have left the OAS, which he described as “the worst situation a global or regional organization can face.”

At the same time, Ramdin called for recognition of the growth potential of Latin America and the Caribbean, although he warned that the region maintains “a limited footprint on the global stage.” He also emphasized the need to revitalize the Inter-American system by working with organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), which, he stated, are currently working on their own.

In his conclusion, he emphasized that education will be key to preparing young leaders who will take on leading decision-making roles in the next decade, addressing challenges such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and sustainable development.

With these reflections, Ramdin reinforced the spirit of the VII Global Forum on “Latin America and the Caribbean 2025,” conceived as a space for dialogue and to offer collective responses to the region’s major challenges in a fast-changing world.

The VII Global Forum on “Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” successfully opened in New York City, at Columbia University. The annual event was organized by Funglode and GFDD. Former Dominican President Leonel Fernández highlighted its importance, especially in light of the existing U.S.-China rivalry. Panelists discussed economic tensions and the need for strategies to improve growth in Latin America.

New York, September 24, 2025 – The Forum’s main goal was to reflect on the current changes impacting the global economy and their impact on Latin America and the Caribbean. The “Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” opened at Columbia University, organized by the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode) and the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD).

During opening remarks, the former President of the Dominican Republic and President of Funglode/GFDD, Dr. Leonel Fernández, highlighted the importance of the Forum as a space to carry out a pluralistic international dialogue marked by the rivalry which currently exists between the United States and China.

In his remarks. Fernández congratulated Dominican economist Andy Dauhajre, president of the Economy and Development Foundation, for his statements on U.S. economic policies and their impact on the on-going competition with China. “It puts us precisely in the perspective of this new international rivalry and the impact it will have on the future of our region,” noted the president of FUNGLODE.

The Forum continued with a presentation by Bolivian economist George Gray Molina, Senior Advisor to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), who warned of the risks facing the U.S. economy within the context of tariffs and geopolitical tensions: “The United States is debating the possibility of a recession or a resurgence of inflation, which constitutes a narrow corridor for its macroeconomic policies,” he highlighted.

Gray Molina emphasized that, despite trade restrictions, China maintains a surplus of US$1.2 trillion, reflecting the strength of its global trade structure.

Dauhajre also stated that the current U.S. administration’s tax and immigration measures could end up benefiting China by taxing local companies that hire foreign talent in technological areas. He also highlighted the growing competitiveness of the Chinese automotive industry and the Asian giant’s advances in the Artificial Intelligence sector. He also emphasized on the control of key inputs such as data, chips, and electricity. “If we want to compete in that arena, we must foster greater integration with Silicon Valley and the automotive industry,” he warned.

Participating panelists agreed that Latin America is lagging behind other emerging economies in terms of economic growth. While developing markets are averaging a 4% growth, the region is barely reaching a 1.5% growth increase, which requires new strategies for regional integration and productive diversification.

In its first day, the Forum’s focus was on “The Global and United States Economies in 2025: Trends, Challenges, and Regional Consequences,” laying the groundwork that would also address the Latin American political landscape, the Latino vote in the United States, immigration, and the impact of Artificial Intelligence on democracy.”

The Forum’s first day, held in New York City, led the way to a series of intense debates, consolidating its position as an international benchmark for the analysis of the region’s challenges and opportunities in the changing global landscape.

Santo Domingo, September 18, 2025 – New York City will once again become the meeting point for international debate on the major challenges and opportunities facing Latin America and the Caribbean through the celebration of the “VII Global Forum: Latin America and the Caribbean 2025”, an annual event that this year is scheduled to open on September 24. The Forum will open in Lerner Hall, Columbia University.

Dr. Leonel Fernández, also president of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode), and the Fuerza del Pueblo political party, will lead the multiple sessions scheduled during the Forum. Participants in the Forum will be prominent political leaders, academics, and representatives of international organizations.

In this, its seventh edition, the Global Forum consolidates its position as a strategic space for discussion on the region’s role in a constantly changing world. Discussions will focus on the global and U.S. economies, development prospects in Latin America, the political and democratic situations facing the 2025–2026 regional electoral cycle, the importance of the Latino vote in the U.S. electoral processes, immigration and social integration, as well as the challenges of democracy in the era of Artificial Intelligence.

The Forum will bring together renowned experts from different areas of expertise, such as:

• Alicia Bárcena, Mexico Secretary of Foreign Affairs (she will be distinguished during the event).
• José Antonio Ocampo, Co-Director of the Economic and Political Development Program, Columbia University.
• José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC.
• Mauricio Cárdenas, former Colombian Minister of Finance and Energy.
• Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS.
• Adriano Espaillat, U.S. Congressman from New York’s 13th District.

In addition, academics and international experts from such institutions as the United Nations, Georgetown University, Florida International University, Latino Victory, Columbia University, and the University of Alicante, Spain.

The forum’s thematic goal will focus on democratic resilience, sustainable development, regional cooperation, and the impact of new technologies on political and social systems.

The Forum’s final goals are to provide a roadmap that will contribute to strengthen democracy, promote regional integration, and seizing the opportunities offered by technological and economic changes on the global stage.

The event will be broadcast live on Funglode and GFDD’s digital platforms, and will expand its reach to the entire international community interested in the present and future of Latin America and the Caribbean.

With former President Leonel Fernández heading the panel discussions, alongside renowned experts, the “VII Global Forum” once again reaffirms its standing as a high-level platform where experts can hold a pluralistic dialogue, thus consolidating New York City as the capital of hemispheric debate on the future of the region.