Latin America and the Caribbean

The Latin America and Caribbean Desk at the OECD Development Centre analyses the region’s development challenges, with a special focus on communicating policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders. The Desk publishes the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO), OECD’s annual reference publication on Latin American development, and is preparing a groundbreaking report benchmarking the various dimensions of innovation in Latin America. (more...)

What's new

Benchmarking innovation in Latin America: Buenos Aires Meeting

from 30-Sep-2009 to 01-Oct-2009

Leading experts from Latin American and OECD countries met in Buenos Aires on 30 September and 1 October to discuss new ways of benchmarking innovation in the region, with a focus on how innovation policies can help boost development.

Workshop on Migration in Central America in Costa Rica

18-Jun-2009

In preparation of the next Latin American Economic Outlook 2010, the OECD Development Centre Poverty Reduction and Social Development Unit is co-organising with FLACSO a regional workshop on migration in Central America, taking place next 25 June in San José de Costa Rica.

Democracy and fiscal legitimacy in Latin America

09-Jun-2009

Latinobarometro and the OECD Development Centre organised a joint seminar on democracy and fiscal legitimacy in Latin America on 29 May at the Maison de l'Amérique latine, in Paris. Renowed experts discussed public attitudes towards democratic institutions in the region and the impact of fiscal policy on democratic legitimacy.

Latin America and the Global Economic Crisis: What are the Prospects?

20-May-2009

The IDB and the OECD Development Centre co-organised a seminar entitled "Latin America and the Global Economic Crisis: What are the Prospects?" on 20 May at the Maison de l’Amérique latine in Paris. The discussion focused on the challenges that the current economic crisis poses to the region, and provided some general policy principles for governments and international institutions. 

Experts invited to discuss migration challenges in Latin America

15-May-2009

On 18-19 May, experts from Latin American and OECD countries met in Paris to discuss how the international crisis is affecting migration and remittances, and its various implications for development in the region. Conclusions and recommendations will feed into the forthcoming Latin American Economic Outlook 2010, to be published in late November of this year.

Challenges ahead for public debt management in Latin America

17-Apr-2009

Public debt levels are still high in Latin America, although considerable progress has been made during the last decade. Today, both the public and private bond markets face important challenges as a result of foreign exchange volatility, reduced liquidity and forthcoming elections. Development Centre Economist Sebastian Nieto presented these issues in Montevideo, at the Annual Meeting of Debt Management Specialists organised by the IADB and the Uruguayan Ministry of Finance.

Fiscal policy takes central stage at WEF in Rio

14-Apr-2009

A press conference presenting the Development Centre’s work on fiscal policy in Latin America took place on 15 April at the World Economic Forum regional meeting in Rio de Janeiro. OECD Development Centre Director, Javier Santiso, explained which reforms can help boost growth while combating inequality. He was accompanied by Joaquim Levy, Secretary of Finance of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and by Arminio Fraga, former Governor of Brazil's Central Bank.

OECD work on Latin American Fiscal Policy discussed in Washington

25-Mar-2009

OECD Development Centre Director Javier Santiso made several presentations of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 in Washington DC, including at the U.S Department of State and the U.S. Congress. Santiso brought attention to the need to strenghten regional efforts to reform fiscal policy with a view to boosting development and well-being. Public presentations were also held at the Inter-American Dialogue and the Organisation of American States.

Chinese translations of Development Centre's reports presented in Beijing

12-Mar-2009

OECD Deputy Secretary General Thelma Askey participated on March 2 at the Beijing International Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean 2008-2009, organised by the Institute for Latin American Studies and attended by high-level officials from the Chinese Government. The Chinese version of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009  was presented at this important policymaking seminar, together with other publications on Latin America by the Development Centre.

Is fiscal policy back?

09-Mar-2009

The economic crisis has hit the entire world economy, with governments stepping in to rescue financial systems and kick-start economic growth. This adds up to a triumph for government fiscal policy, though fiscal policy must be used audaciously, not least in Latin America.

Colombian Foreign Minister praises Development Centre's work on Latin America

05-Mar-2009

At the presentation of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 in Bogota, Colombian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaime Bermúdez praised the report for having a "priceless value for development in the region". With more than 300 people in attendance, Minister Bermúdez also highlighted the importance of Colombia's recent accession to the OECD Development Centre, in July 2008.

Paris Forum examined Latin America's economic challenges in 2009

on 26-Jan-2009

As the global financial crisis hits Latin American and Caribbean economies, leading policymakers and business leaders gathered in Paris on 26 January to discuss the region's economic outlook, the impact of fiscal policy on development and the role the private sector can play in fostering progress in the continent.

Latin American Economic Outlook presented in Berlin

on 19-Jan-2009

OECD Development Centre Economist Christian Daude presented the main conclusions of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 to a selected audience of academics and policymakers in Berlin, on 19 January 2009, at a seminar hosted by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Presentation of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 in Chile

01-Dec-2008

The Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 was presented in Santiago de Chile on 28 November 2008. Two presentations of the report took place at the Chilean capital. The first one hosted by the Ministry of Finance and the second by the Universidad Católica de Chile.

Presentation of the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009 in Madrid

27-Nov-2008

The director of the OECD Development Centre, Javier Santiso presented the Latin American Economic Outlook 2009  in Madrid on 18 November 2008, at a seminar hosted by Casa de América. This is the second year that the Spanish presentation of the report takes place in this well-known Madrid venue.

 

Improving social cohesion in Latin America: making the most of globalisation

09-Oct-2008

While the global economy has created immense opportunities for Latin America, it has not reduced deep inequalities. In his remarks at a Euro-Latin American Forum in Paris, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría stressed that improvement in three crucial areas of public policy -fiscal policy, education and regional development- can foster social cohesion in the region.

The future of the middle class in Latin America

OECD Development Centre staff will participate at sessions on Latin America's socioeconomic prospects and the quality of education spending in the region at the fourth Ibero-American Development Agenda seminar taking place in Barcelona.

Quality of life in Latin America: the urban dimension

22-Sep-2008

Latin America is the only region in the developing world where the majority of the population lives in urban areas. OECD Development Centre Director, Javier Santiso, participated in this OECD/Inter-American Development Bank seminar analysing the results of a research project assessing efforts to improve the quality of life in Latin America's rapidly growing cities.

Spain strengthens support for Centre's Latin America and Africa work

16-Sep-2008

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation will support the Development Centre’s Latin America and Africa desks with a grant worth €450,000.  The signature of the Memorandum of Understanding pledging this voluntary contribution took place on the occasion of the visit by the Spanish Ambassador to the OECD, Cristina Narbona, to the Centre.

How can Latin America benefit from the boom in commodity prices?

09-Sep-2008

Natural resources and development can go hand in hand. An OECD Development Centre Policy Brief and shorter Policy Insight analyse how countries like Chile and Norway offer lessons on how to use the bonanza from commodity exports to foster the economy and improve living conditions. The key policies: good governance, fiscal responsibility and future vision.

Presentation on the macro management of commodity booms, UNU-Wider project meeting, Johannesburg, 5-6 September

09-Sep-2008

OECD Development Centre researcher Rolando Avendaño made a presentation based on the Centre's resent work on the macro management of commodity booms in Africa and Latin America at the UNU-WIDER meeting on Southern engines of global growth that took place on 5-6 September in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The emerging force of Latin American multinationals

02-Sep-2008

In this article published by the CEPAL Review, OECD Development Centre Director Javier Santiso analyses how Latin American multinationals, or multilatinas, compete with the largest conglomerates from the developed world in terms of their manufacturing and financial strength.

Colombia joins the OECD Development Centre

30-Jul-2008

Colombia is the 10th non-OECD member to join the Development Centre. Colombia's engagement in the Centre provides a great opportunity for the country and the OECD to learn from each other and strengthen collaboration (view the slideshow). Earlier this year, Poland, Egypt, Israel and Vietnam  took their seats at the Centre’s Governing Board as well.

Work on Sovereign Debt Crises at World Congress of the International Economic Association

03-Jul-2008

OECD Development Centre Economist Sebastian Nieto presented  his work "Sovereign Debt Crises through the Prism of Primary Bond Market" at the 15th World Congress of the International Economic Association, in Istanbul on 28 June 2008

Work on Telecommunications at the 12th EADI General Conference

02-Jul-2008

Economist Juan Ramón de Laiglesia presented  his work on telecommunications and development at the 12th General Conference of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes, at Geneva, on 25 June 2008.

OECD Development Centre at the G-20 Workshop on Fiscal Space

from 19-Jun-2008 to 20-Jun-2008

Javier Santiso, Director of the OECD Development Centre, was invited to participate in the G20 roundtable on Fiscal Space for Stability, Growth and Social Inclusion taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 19 and 20 June 2008.  Mr Santiso presented  the findings of the Latin American Economic Outlook report.

China and India in Iberoamerica: Economic Complementarity?

04-Jun-2008

OECD Development Centre Director Javier Santiso presented the Centre's research on China's and India's economic impact in Latin America at this seminar organised by Casa America and Casa Asia in Madrid, on 17 June 2008.

LEO and Bertelsmann Foundation present research on Latin America

04-Jun-2008

The Latin American Economic Outlook team presented the main conclusions of its 2008 report and some preliminary findings of the 2009 study at a seminar in Berlin hosted by the Bertelsmann Foundation, on June 5.

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Innovation Indicators for Latin America Workshop

Paris - 19 March