Todd urges deeper EU, Latin America, and Caribbean free trade and economic partnerships

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd participated in the XII Italy–Latin America and the Caribbean Ministerial Conference, held on October 6 and 7, 2025, in Rome, Italy, under the theme “Italy-Latin America and the Caribbean: A Growing Partnership.”
The conference, chaired by Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister (PM) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, brought together foreign ministers and senior officials from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe to advance dialogue on strengthening interregional cooperation. Over two days, delegates discussed key issues including economic partnerships for sustainable growth, energy cooperation, legal and institutional diplomacy, and preparations for the upcoming Fourth European Union–Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (EU–CELAC) Summit. In his remarks, Minister Todd highlighted the significant shifts in the global landscape since the biennial forum’s inception in 2003. He underscored that widening economic inequality, climate change, energy and food insecurity, and demographic changes remain among the most urgent challenges demanding collective action and policy coordination.
Todd also underscored that rapid global changes and challenges to the rules-based international order, grounded in the United Nations (UN) Charter, highlight the urgency for shared solutions and strengthened bi-regional partnerships. He stated that the Italy–Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) mechanism provides an important framework for addressing common economic and developmental issues while advancing mutual interests.
He reaffirmed Guyana’s recognition of international trade as a strategic tool for deepening political and economic relations. He further stressed the importance of expanding and reinforcing collaboration, free trade, and economic partnership agreements between the EU and LAC countries to promote inclusive, fair, and sustainable growth. The Italy–LAC Ministerial Conference serves as the principal forum for political dialogue between the regions and is held biennially. It is organised by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in partnership with the Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA).
Todd was accompanied by the First Secretary of Guyana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, Colin Luckie.