On Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela, during the 51st Ordinary Session of the Council of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), Lesly David, Haiti's Ambassador to Colombia and Ecuador, and also the newly elected Permanent Secretary of SELA (the first Haitian to hold this position), reaffirmed in his opening address to the ministerial meeting that, in order to "combat global uncertainty" integration is "the most powerful tool" available to the region.

"It is not just about the economy, but about building collective unity, even from our differences. Our region, with its approximately 660 million inhabitants, demands a clear vision and coordinated action from us," he stated, emphasizing that the Latin America and Caribbean region, despite its wealth, remains "the most unequal region on the planet."

Ambassador David reminded, "Millions of our citizens still live in poverty, and extreme poverty, remaining at alarming levels, particularly affecting women, young people and vulnerable communities."

In the presence of representatives of Member States, Ambassador Lesly David emphasized that the Work Programme presented by the Permanent Secretariat constitutes "a concrete response to these challenges, a roadmap that transforms good intentions into measurable actions."

In this regard, he reaffirmed the "solemn commitment" of the SELA Permanent Secretariat to carry out each of the activities defined in the three established areas of intervention : economic recovery, social development, and digitalization and infrastructure.

Economic Recovery :

Regarding the area of ​​economic recovery, Lesly David stressed SELA’s commitment to "resolutely advance" trade facilitation, as well as to organize the "Third China-Latin America and Caribbean Investment Cooperation Forum" in order to attract the resources and technologies that will revitalize productive economies.

Social Development :

In the In the area of ​​social development, he emphasized SELA's commitment to prioritizing the poverty eradication project, formulating social policies that leverage cooperation for development, and promoting virtual workshops on educational strategies for integrating migrant women and girls. These workshops aim to ensure that migration is not a source of exclusion, but rather an opportunity for development that integrates a gender perspective.

Digitalization and Infrastructure :

Furthermore, he highlighted SELA's commitment, through the areas of digitalization and infrastructure, to promoting digital transformation and developing more sustainable and smart infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean. "SELA recognizes that modern infrastructure is the essential platform for the digital economy and that the synergy between these two pillars is crucial for development."

At the 51st Ordinary Session of the Latin American Council, SELA reaffirmed its essential role in promoting regional integration through intra-regional cooperation to foster economic recovery. and the development of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Learn more about SELA :

The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) is a regional intergovernmental organization founded in 1975 and based in Caracas, Venezuela.

After 50 years of continuous activity, SELA brings together 28 Latin American and Caribbean countries to promote economic coordination, consultation, and the development of common strategies in relation to international forums and third countries. It serves as a platform to strengthen South-South cooperation, coordinate regional economic positions, and foster regional integration.

SELA has become a leading regional organization, conducting consultation and coordination activities, joint economic and social cooperation and promotion, and possessing international legal personality, working with countries, groups of nations, forums, and international organizations.

HL/ HaitiLibre