The third EU-CELAC Summit of Heads of State and Government was held in Brussels on 17-18 July 2023. It was a historic occasion to bring together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to renew and strengthen relations between the two regions after almost a decade of absence of bi-regional dialogue at the highest political level. The summit was held under the theme "Renewing the bi-regional partnership to strengthen peace and sustainable development".
In preparation for the third EU-CELAC Summit, the EU-LAC International Foundation organised different thematic EU-LAC Fora, which aim to bring together relevant societal actors, policy-makers and institutions to discuss challenges and opportunities for the EU-LAC strategic partnership. With this series of initiatives, the EU-LAC Foundation strives to advance a multi-faceted dialogue on the potential of a reinvigorated bi-regional relationship.
EU-CELAC Summit 2023
The third meeting of Heads of State and Government CELAC - EU was held in Brussels on 17 and 18 July 2023.
EU-LAC Road to the Summit
History of EU-CELAC Summits
Buenos Aires (2022)
The latest EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held on 27 October 2022, with the aim of resuming a forward-looking, substantive and positive agenda to strengthen the strategic partnership. The post-pandemic economic recovery, the fight against climate change, cooperation on human rights, among others, were addressed.
Brussels (2018)
The EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place on 16th-17th July 2018, under the theme "Building bridges and strengthening our partnership to face global challenges". This meeting addressed the consolidation of multilateralism, respect for rules, economic integration and sustainability. It also reviewed the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the 2019 Global Drug Policy, the Global Compact on Migration and the 2030 Agenda.
Santo Domingo (2016)
On 25th-26th October 2016, an EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held. This meeting marked an important milestone in the strategic partnership with the signing of the Constitutive Agreement establishing the EU-LAC International Foundation formally as an international intergovernmental organisation.
Brussels (2015)
On 10th-11th June 2015, the II EU-CELAC Summit was held in the framework of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Heads of State and Government of both regions approved the proposed EU-CELAC Action Plan.
Santiago (2013)
It was held as the I EU-CELAC Summit, with the participation for the first time of the Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean as part of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which was created in 2011. Celebrated on 26th-27th January 2013, it culminated in the adoption of the CELAC-EU Action Plan 2013-2015.
Madrid (2010)
At the VI EU-LAC Summit, held on 18th May 2010, the Heads of State and Government of both regions formally decided to create the EU-LAC Foundation as a useful instrument to strengthen the bi-regional partnership, coordinate actions and give greater visibility to their relations. The Foundation started its activities in November 2011 in Hamburg, Germany, where it is currently based.
Lima (2008)
The V EU-LAC Summit, held on 16th May 2018, aimed to renew the strategic partnership process, raising issues such as sustainable development, energy and climate change. In this framework, the concept of the "EU-LAC Foundation" was conceived to strengthen the bi-regional partnership and to increase its visibility.
Vienna (2006)
Celebrated on 12th May 2006, the IV EU-LAC Summit focused on deepening existing ties and the inclusion of issues such as development cooperation and financing. The objectives were to achieve a Euro-Latin American Free Trade Area and to create a Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat).
Guadalajara (2004)
On 28th-29th May 2004, the III EU-LAC Summit took place and contributed to the dialogue on reducing inequalities and improving levels of social cohesion by proposing the creation of the EUROsociAL programme. For the first time, ten Eastern European states participated in this summit as new members of the EU.
Madrid (2002)
In order to make progress on the commitments made in Rio (1999), the II EU-LAC Summit took place on 17 May 2022, with the aim of deepening the links between the two regions in the political, economic, cultural, educational, social, technological, social and environmental fields.
Rio de Janeiro (1999)
The I Summit between the Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union (EU-LAC) was held on 28th-29th June 1999. Its objective was to strengthen the historical, political, cultural, economic and social ties between the two regions with a view to forming a strategic partnership.