Chatham House Latin America Conference 2019 | Chatham House | 21 November 2019 | Chatham House, 10 St James's Square, St. James's, London SW1Y 4LE, UK

Elections across Latin America have resulted in leadership transitions that have the potential to set new regional agendas. As Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay and Costa Rica react to their new presidents, the economic and societal ramifications across the region have yet to be fully realized. Existing power structures and governments are simultaneously reacting to crises and change, and face questions around strategies for stabilization, particularly in Venezuela.

Shifting geopolitical dynamics are also presenting new and often unprecedented trade and investment prospects. China’s growing presence in the region has not gone unnoticed, and the United States’ trade stance continues to alter strategic directions. While the reality of Brexit remains to be seen, a potentially new opportunity for trade and cooperation may emerge with the United Kingdom. The region still faces significant challenges amid public sector gross debt closing at approximately 65% of GDP ahead of 2020, and average economic growth at 2.2% during the 2010s – below the 3.8% global average.

Good governance and transparency are recognized as tools to attract investment to the region and, crucially, have the potential to reshape the relationship between society and government. Meanwhile, economic growth across Latin America will, according to CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, increase the demand for power by 79% between 2017 and 2030. Countries are, as a result, embarking on a road towards economic diversification, considering frameworks to modernize industries and infrastructure, and potentially to transition towards renewable energy.

In this context, Chatham House will convene leaders from government, the private sector and civil society to look at the political and economic environment across the Latin America region and to address topics including:
• The political landscape following key leadership elections
• International trade and investment outlook
• Industry challenges and the road to economic diversification
• The impact and role of governance and transparency

2019 speakers:

Victor Bulmer-Thomas
Honorary Professor, Institute of the Americas, University College London; Associate Fellow, US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House

Mahrukh Doctor
Reader in Political Economy, University of Hull

Richard Lapper
Associate Fellow, Global Economy and Finance Department and US and Americas Programme, Chatham House; Editor, Latin America, Financial Times (1998-2008)

Fiona Mackie
Regional Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, Economist Intelligence Unit

James McKeigue
Editor, LatAm INVESTOR

Michael Reid
Senior Editor, Latin America and Spain, The Economist

Osvaldo Rosales
Director, International Trade and Integration Division, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (2005-15); Vice-Minister of Trade (2000-04)

Christopher Sabatini
Senior Fellow for Latin America, US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House

Sir Hugo Swire
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2012–16); MP for East Devon (2001–19); Chairman, International Advisory Board, Brennan & Partners

Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (2012–16); MP for East Devon (2001–19); Chairman, International Advisory Board, Brennan & Partners
Special Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay; Director, Division on International Trade in Goods and Services and Commodities, UNCTAD (2011-17)

Hector Torres
Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation; Executive Director and Alternate, International Monetary Fund (2004-08, 2013-15, 2016-17)

Dee Smith
CEO and Principal, Strategic Insight Group; Vice-chair, Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies/Benson Library, University of Texas at Austin

Andrés Rozental
Deputy Foreign Minister, Mexico (1988-94); Mexican Ambassador to UK (1995-97); Senior Policy Adviser, Chatham House

Victor Rico
Secretary General, CAF Development Bank of Latin America

Sebastián Nieto Parra
Head, Latin American Unit, OECD Development Centre

Carlos Malamud
Senior Analyst, Latin America, Elcano Royal Institute; Professor of Latin American History at the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)

Elena Lazarou
Assistant Professor, Centre for International Relations, FGV, Brazil

Marta Lagos
Director, Latinobarómetro

Martin Casey
Director Public Affairs, Europe, CEMEX

2019 Sponsor

• CAF Development Bank of Latin America