The Latin America and Caribbean Desk provides high-quality research and policy dialogue on the trends, challenges and opportunities associated with development in Latin America. It produces comparative studies on structural themes which serve as the basis for debate and the exchange of experiences between the OECD and its member countries and the emerging economies of Latin America. The Desk brings OECD expertise and best practices closer to Latin American and Caribbean countries while at the same time raising the profile of Latin American affairs within the OECD.

Since 2007, the Desk has published the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO). LEO contains innovative indicators and rigorous comparative studies on structural themes that stimulate an informed policy debate on how to advance the region’s economic development. The most recent report (LEO 2009) offered a roadmap on how Latin American governments could improve fiscal policy and maximise its potential to boost economic growth and combat poverty and inequality, The next Outlook (LEO 2010) will look into the impact of the current economic crisis on migration and development patterns in the region.

On 2009 the Desk also launched a joint project with INSEAD and the Telefónica Foundation to produce a new Innovation Index including the various dimensions of innovation in Latin America. The first instalment of this pioneering work will be presented in Spring 2010. Other areas of ongoing research on Latin America at the Development Centre include fiscal policy, trade relations with Asian economies, the role of Latin American multinationals in development, financial markets and the macromanagement of commodity-price fluctuations.

The Desk works closely with other OECD directorates, collaborates with the leading international organisations active in Latin America and has strong links with relevant stakeholders in government, academia, the private sector and the non- profit community. The Development Centre and its Latin America and Caribbean Desk provide a setting for mutual learning and constructive dialogue among OECD economies and those from the region, seeking creative policy solutions to emerging development challenges.