On 17 July 2023, the European Commission, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and CAF-Development Bank of Latin America will jointly organise a Business Round Table in Brussels ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government that will convene on 17-18 July. The EU-LAC Business Round Table will be an invitation-only, in-person, high-level event that will organise at the Berlaymont Building, Headquarters of the European Commission.

The event will consist of an opening session, seven thematic round tables, special address and concluding remarks (see preliminary programme below). In addition, the co-organisers will facilitate bilateral meetings along-side the programme to ensure productive dialogue.

The EU-LAC Business Round Table will bring together political leaders, business CEOs, heads of development financing institutions, and industry associations to review the key strands of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda. Participants will explore opportunities for investments on, amongst others, renewable energy and green hydrogen, critical raw materials, decarbonisation, and transport infrastructure projects, 5G and last-kilometre connectivity, digitalisation for public services, and sustainable finance and green bonds. The Round Tables will also feature a close look into barriers to investments and regulatory frameworks, as well as a cross-sector view from the lens of education and skills, job creation, value chains, social impact and inequalities, and vocational training.