The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) highlighted the importance of moving towards a digital transformation that responds to the different realities and needs of the countries in the region during the III Development Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean with China.

During his address at the session “Digital empowerment and targeted poverty alleviation,” Edgar Velásquez, Analyst of Digitalisation and Infrastructure of SELA, pointed out that the region has made significant progress in terms of connectivity, but that substantial gaps remain between countries and sub-regions, meaning that the investment requirements and policy instruments needed by each country differ substantially.

In this connection, SELA outlined its institutional position on three conditions identified by regional evidence for digitalisation to contribute effectively to inclusion and development: that social services should be digital by default, but never digital as the sole means of access; that it is necessary to move towards meaningful connectivity — a standard proposed by ECLAC — which encompasses quality, affordability, devices and skills; and that digitalisation be linked to specific skills and economic opportunities.

As regards cooperation with China, three specific areas for joint work were identified: the exchange of experiences in social registers and information for public policy; the development of e-commerce ecosystems for rural producers and MSMEs, integrating platforms, logistics, traceability and training; and joint investment in digital infrastructure and skills training for the most underserved regions.

From SELA’s perspective, the aim should not simply be to have more digitalised societies, but to ensure that digital transformation leads to increased business productivity, broader market access, the development of new capabilities, and the creation of concrete economic and social opportunities.

SELA’s participation thus reaffirms its commitment to shaping a purposeful regional agenda for digital cooperation, identifying the specific needs of Latin America and the Caribbean and promoting opportunities for cooperation with strategic partners such as China, with a view to making digital transformation an effective tool for inclusive development.

The III Development Forum of Latin America and the Caribbean with China: economic and trade connectivity for enhanced cooperation and shared social prosperity was organised by SELA, in partnership with the Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), in the city of Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. The event was attended by officials, experts and researchers with the aim of establishing a forum for high-level strategic dialogue, in order to join forces and contribute to sustainable development and the mutual benefit of both regions.