The Director of the Regional Integration Department of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Daniela Arruda Benjamín, highlighted the key role of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) in the regional integration process during the 51st Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council.

“Regional integration is not an option, it is a necessity, and together we must learn to deal with our differences and move forward on issues of common interest. And for us, for Brazil, SELA plays a fundamental role in this process,” she said.

She highlighted the approval of the new Work Programme for 2026–2029, which “clearly demonstrates SELA’s potential to create spaces for multi-stakeholder dialogue and to coordinate initiatives and activities on a variety of topics, with a strategic focus on the economic and social development of the region.”

The Ambassador also stressed the importance of coordinating with other regional integration bodies to avoid duplication of efforts, “such as SELA’s role in supporting the work of CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), which would be a way to advance the productive integration scheme, where SELA could contribute highly relevant technical inputs and give greater visibility to an agenda of importance to all,” she pointed out.

Finally, the representative of Brazil reaffirmed her country’s commitment to SELA and expressed its willingness to continue deepening cooperation in order to advance the development and integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Brazil has worked closely with SELA and has been integrated into the organisation’s Work Programme agenda. At this 51st Regular Meeting of the Latin American Council, SELA renewed its commitment to Member States and regional mechanisms to promote greater and better integration through a common regional agenda that contributes to the growth of Latin America and the Caribbean.