The “VII Trilateral Cooperation Conference with Latin America and the Caribbean 2024: Overcoming Obstacles, Building Bridges” was held in a hybrid format that combined virtual and in-person participation in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, on May 23-24, 2024. The Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany were the hosts of the event, which was organized by the Regional Fund for Triangular Cooperation with Partners from Latin America and the Caribbean, with the support of GIZ Brazil. In this context, the International Labour Organization (ILO) plays a crucial role in advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC). By facilitating peer learning and the exchange of best practices, the ILO helps bridge gaps between nations, enabling them to collectively address issues such as economic inequality and social justice. The organization’s involvement in this conference highlights its commitment to supporting regional integration and promoting decent work across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The hybrid format allowed the inclusion of a wide audience from different sectors and regions of the world, facilitating personal exchange between participants in a post-COVID-19 context. With 100 in-person participants and almost the same number online, the event brought together people from more than 17 countries. The diverse group included representatives from G20 members (Argentina, Brazil, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, South Africa and the African Union) and invited countries (Portugal and Spain), along with several multilateral organizations, civil society institutions, academia and the private sector.
The event provided a platform for diverse exchanges and enriching dialogues. Participants engaged in intense debates, sharing successful examples of trilateral cooperation projects in areas such as climate action, gender equality and social inclusion, as well as lessons learned and shared challenges to overcome in the future.