MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

World economic forum on Latinamerica’s future begins in Lima

Peruvian minister Castilla Rubio: how to turn challenges into advantages

In the midst of global economic uncertainty, Latin America has maintained steady levels of economic growth and financial resilience over the past decade. The region has a forecast of almost 4% economic growth in 2013, and it is this encouraging prospect that is the focus of the 2013 World Economic Forum on Latin America in Lima, Peru, which opened on Tuesday 23 until April 25.

“We are very pleased to hold the World Economic Forum on Latin America in Peru, one of the fastest growing economies in the world,” said Marisol Argueta de Barillas, Senior Director and Head of Latin America of the World Economic Forum. “Peru is indicative of the promise of most Latin American nations. We hope the outcomes of the discussions at this meeting will be a source of inspiration to action that will continue to propel Latin America into an enduring success story, where economic growth may be invested in human capital and turned into a source of long-term development.”

Under the theme “Delivering Growth, Strengthening Societies”, the eighth World Economic Forum on Latin America will be an ideal platform for the more than 650 participants to deliberate the critical factors behind the region’s resilience and dynamic development, and the challenges to maintaining the region’s growth trajectory.

“We are positive that this Forum will be a great success,” said Juan Jimenez, Prime Minister of Peru. “We will discuss key issues for Latin American countries, in particular for Peru. We know we cannot have strong and healthy economic growth without real social inclusion. We are fully committed to the development of our country; however, we are conscious that there is still a long way ahead of us. We are a country that promotes investment, and we know that the path to economic growth runs along the path of investment.”

The regional gathering in Lima is convened with the full support of President Ollanta Humala, the Government of Peru, and the Forum’s Strategic and Regional Partners. The aim is to provide opportunities to share success stories, lessons learned and best practices in the public and private sectors, as well as in the field of social innovation and social entrepreneurship, to identify innovative actions towards achieving the region’s full potential.

“Peru faces a number of challenges to take advantage, fully, of its economic potential,” said Luis Miguel Castilla Rubio, Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru. “In this regard, boosting competitiveness and productivity is essential. Therefore, human capital, innovation, institutions and infrastructure are key factors. We will have ample discussions on these issues during this forum.”

The program will also address issues that challenge Latin America’s prospects, such as the need to improve regional connectivity; ensure transparency and the rule of law; tackle public insecurity; prepare adequately for the needs and demands of a growing middle class; provide equal opportunities for social cohesion; and address the pressures of demographic shifts and urbanization.

The co-chairs of the meeting are: Baroness Valerie Amos, Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, United Nations, New York; Global Agenda Council on Catastrophic Risks; Michel M. Liès, Group Chief Executive Officer, Swiss Re, Switzerland; Gérard Mestrallet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GDF SUEZ, France; Carlos Rodríguez-Pastor, Chairman, Intercorp, Peru; and Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International, USA.

Public figures participating in this year’s meeting include: Michael Botticelli, Deputy Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, USA; Martin Burt, Minister, Chief of Cabinet to the President of Paraguay: Ollanta Moises Humala Tasso, President of Peru; Ricardo Martinelli, President of Panama; Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico; and Carolina Trivelli Avila, Minister of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru.