EU-CELAC summit, 17-18 July 2023

Brussels, 17 July 2023

Live streaming

17 July 2023

• 12:00 Arrivals I and Official welcome
• 12:00 Arrivals II
• 16:00 Opening session

18 July 2023

• TBC Arrivals I
• TBC Arrivals II

Agenda highlights

The third EU-CELAC summit will bring EU leaders and leaders from the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) together in Brussels.

The summit is an opportunity to further strengthen the EU-CELAC partnership, discuss working together to achieve fair green and digital transitions, and demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.

The heads of state and government of the EU and CELAC member states will attend the summit, which will be co-chaired by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, in his role as CELAC pro tempore president. The summit will also see the participation of the President of the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

• Background brief

EU-CELAC: a strategic partnership

The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have a long-standing partnership built on common values and a shared commitment to democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Together, they make up more than a third of UN membership and are a force for a strong multilateral system.

The two regions also share a common vision for protecting our planet. The leaders will discuss how to harness the enormous potential of and opportunities offered by the twin green and digital transitions to increase the prosperity of our citizens. The principles of a fair, social and just transformation will form the foundation of our engagement and ensure that no one is left behind.

During the summit, leaders will address a wide range of topics with a view to further strengthening the EU-CELAC partnership, including:

• enhanced cooperation in multilateral fora
• global peace and stability
• trade and investment
• economic recovery
• efforts to combat climate change
• research and innovation
• justice and security for citizens

• Factsheet: A New Agenda for Relations between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean (EEAS)
• Infographic: EU-LAC Partnership (EEAS)
• Global Gateway: Latin America and the Caribbean (European Commission)
• Factsheet: EU-Latin America and Caribbean trade in numbers (European Commission, PDF)

Programme (CEST)

17/07/2023

12:00

Arrivals and doorstep

12:00

Bilateral meetings

13:30

EU-Caribbean leaders’ meeting

15:20

Official welcome of the CELAC delegations

16:00

Opening session

17:30

Family photo

17:40

Bilateral meetings

17:45

Digital Alliance between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean – photo opportunity (EB press room)

19:00

Gala dinner

18/07/2023

08:30

Arrivals

09:30

Plenary session

13:00

Working lunch

15:15

Press conference

Previous summits

At the previous summit in 2015, the leaders agreed to work together for more prosperous, cohesive and inclusive societies.

• EU-CELAC summit, Brussels, 10-11 June 2015

The first EU-CELAC summit took place in Santiago (Chile) in 2013, focusing on trade collaboration and the promotion of investments of social and environmental quality.

• Santiago declaration following the first EU-CELAC summit on 26-27 January 2013

About CELAC

Launched in 2010, CELAC is a regional bloc of 33 Latin American and Caribbean states. It aims to unite these states to strengthen the region’s political dialogue and social and cultural integration, improve its quality of life, stimulate economic growth and advance the well-being of all of its people.

• CELAC International
• Latin America and the Caribbean (European External Action Service)