Tegucigalpa, April 9 (Prensa Latina) The IX Presidential Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) committed here today to strengthening the bloc as a mechanism for political coordination that integrates all countries in the region.
In light of the region’s current challenges, the heads of state and senior representatives of CELAC agreed by consensus on the Tegucigalpa Declaration, the main document emerging from these forums.
The 11 leaders present in Honduras, including host President Xiomara Castro, highlighted the full validity of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, 11 years after its signing, during the Second Summit held in Havana, Cuba.
A zone of peace based on the promotion and respect for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, international cooperation, democracy and the rule of law, and multilateralism.
The document also emphasizes the protection and promotion of all human rights, respect for self-determination, non-interference in internal affairs, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Likewise, representatives from 30 of the 33 CELAC member countries rejected the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law, including those restricting international trade.
They affirmed their shared conviction that it is timely and appropriate for a national of a Latin American and Caribbean State to serve as Secretary-General of the UN.
They noted that of the nine UN secretaries-general to date, only one came from a Latin American nation, and that the position has never been held by a woman, they emphasized.
The high-level meeting underscored the importance of coordinating joint CELAC interventions in multilateral forums on issues of common interest.
The members of the intergovernmental organization recognized Honduras for the work it has done in its capacity as Pro Tempore Presidency (PPT) since 2024.
They highlighted, under the leadership of this Central American state, the holding of high-level meetings to share efforts and experiences in the areas of food security, women, education, coffee, energy, financial cooperation, climate change, and human mobility.
They also reaffirmed their willingness to continue political dialogue to deepen CELAC’s cooperative ties with other countries and regional groups.
In this regard, they praised the progress made during the meetings convened by the Honduran PPT, on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
They welcomed Colombia as a CELAC PPT (2025-2026) and endorsed its identified priorities for the mechanism’s work regarding energy (energy transition and interconnection); human mobility; health and health self-sufficiency; food security; the environment; and climate change.
Colombia’s pro tempore presidency will also focus on the situation of Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples; science, technology, and innovation; connectivity and infrastructure; strengthening trade and investment; transnational organized crime; education; and gender equality, among other issues.
The leaders expressed their firm support for Haiti’s stability and their commitment, based on each country’s capabilities, to supporting its efforts, together with the international community, to reestablish an environment of human security for the normalization of the political, economic, and social situation, with a comprehensive approach to development.
rc/edu
