SANTIAGO, Chile, CMC – Latin America and the Caribbean are facing significant challenges in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set under the 2030 Agenda, with just five years remaining until the deadline. According to the latest report by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), progress has fallen short of expectations due to weak institutional capacities, limited financing, slow economic growth, and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These issues, compounded by geopolitical tensions and economic disruptions in 2025, threaten to derail further progress. Urgent action is needed to accelerate efforts both internally and externally.
To address these challenges, senior government officials, international experts, and stakeholders from across the region will gather at ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile, from March 31 to April 4.
The eighth meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development will serve as a platform to assess progress, identify obstacles, and propose solutions for advancing the SDGs.
Over 600 attendees have already been confirmed. The event will feature high-level discussions on global, regional, and national strategies. With 38 side events organized by civil society, the United Nations System, ECLAC member governments, and the private sector, the forum is poised to foster collaboration and innovation for sustainable development.
The report Latin America and the Caribbean in the Final Five Years of the 2030 Agenda: Steering Transformations to Accelerate Progress highlights the necessity of scaling up efforts through internal and external strategies.
Internally, governments must strengthen governance mechanisms, enhance institutional capacities, and foster collaboration among key stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, academia, and international organizations. Externally, cooperation in global forums is essential, particularly in reforming the international financial system to mobilize development financing and attract investment to advance the SDGs.
The official inauguration is scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, at 8:30 a.m. local time (GMT-3). Peru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmer Schialer, will lead the opening ceremony as the official representative of Peru, who is currently chairing ECLAC. He will be joined by ECLAC’s Executive Secretary, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs; the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua; and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who will address the audience via video message.
On April 1, the discussions will focus on global action. Experts will examine commitments emerging from upcoming global summits, including the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (Spain, 2025) and the Second World Summit for Social Development (Qatar, 2025). Additionally, participants will reflect on the 30-year legacy of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the implementation of the Pact for the Future.
From April 2 to April 4, regional action will take center stage as delegates review ECLAC’s eighth progress report findings. Discussions will explore how to harness private sector data to enhance SDG implementation, with particular attention given to SDGs 3 (Health and Well-being), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 14 (Life Below Water), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
On April 4, national action discussions will focus on countries sharing best practices for accelerating SDG achievement. Special emphasis will be placed on voluntary national reviews (VNRs), which nations present annually at the UN High-level Political Forum to showcase their progress and strategies in achieving the SDGs.
The event will be preceded by two significant gatherings on March 31: a civil society participation mechanism meeting and the Forum of Children, Adolescents, and Youth of Latin America and the Caribbean. These sessions will ensure that diverse voices contribute to the regional roadmap for sustainable development.
With just five years remaining to meet the 2030 Agenda’s ambitious goals, the forum represents a crucial opportunity for leaders to renew commitments, strengthen cooperation, and drive transformative action across Latin America and the Caribbean.
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