Stronger research and innovation co-operation between Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean

Representatives from the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) adopted a Ministerial Declaration and a New Agenda for Cooperation in Research and Innovation. The agreements set out shared priorities, concrete actions, and governance to guide bi-regional cooperation in the years ahead.

Startups, Research, and Innovation Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva (pictured) said: 

“Both sides of the Atlantic are facing similar challenges in climate, health and digital technologies. With the details and the clear roadmap agreed today, we will support our scientists and researchers and turn this partnership into concrete results for our people and economies”.

Next steps

Work will start immediately with the launch of dedicated Working Groups on health, climate change, environmental sustainability and energy transition, and artificial intelligence in science. These groups, open to voluntary participation from EU and CELAC countries, will prepare 18-month action plans to put these commitments into practice.

Both regions will oversee the work of these groups and ensure implementation of the agreed priorities. Their coordination will be supported by a permanent mechanism linking the European Commission and the CELAC Pro Tempore Presidency. Ministers will reconvene every two years to review progress, agree on new priorities and provide strategic steer of the bi-regional cooperation. 

Background

In 2023, during the EU–CELAC Summit, ministers adopted a Joint Declaration and endorsed the New EU–LAC Agenda, giving fresh political momentum to cooperation between the two regions. The agenda called for a dedicated Ministerial meeting on research and innovation to turn that momentum into concrete actions.

The EU–CELAC Research and Innovation Ministerial was the first meeting of its kind. The meeting was co-chaired by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation.

This year’s meeting also feeds directly into the preparations for the CELAC–EU Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, on 9–10 November 2025, where both regions will take stock of achievements during these months and reaffirm their shared commitment to deepen cooperation.

Over the years, the EU has already supported numerous bi-regional cooperation initiatives. Under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, more than 1,800 projects have involved partners from Latin America and the Caribbean, in areas such as renewable energy, climate research, bioeconomy and digital innovation.

More information

International Co-operation in Research and Innovation with Latin America and the Caribbean

Ministerial Declaration for the EU-CELAC Ministerial meeting on Research and Innovation

New Agenda for EU-CELAC Co-operation in Research and Innovation

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