Digital transformation for a productive, inclusive, and sustainable development for Latin America and the Caribbean
WHAT IS?
The Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean (eLAC) is a strategy that advocates for the use of digital technologies as instruments for sustainable development. Its mission is to promote the development of the digital ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean through a process of regional integration and cooperation, strengthening digital policies that foster knowledge, inclusion and equity, innovation, and environmental sustainability.
HISTORY
In 1999, the United Nations Economic and Social Council decided to focus the high-level meetings of 2000 on development and international cooperation in the era of information technology. In response, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, convened by Brazil and ECLAC, approved the Florianópolis Declaration in July 2000, promoting the use of ICTs for development in the region.
Within the framework of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005), the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean strengthened their commitment to developing a regional vision of information societies. Between 2001 and 2003, key meetings were held that underscored the importance of regional cooperation. The Connectivity Agenda for the Americas and the Quito Plan of Action (2002) highlighted the need to implement realistic and sustainable national programs and strategies.
In 2003, the Bávaro Declaration marked a milestone by identifying the fundamental characteristics of information societies and, for the first time within the WSIS process, incorporating issues such as Internet governance and open-source software.
During preparations for the second phase of the WSIS in 2005, the 2005, the Rio Commitment was adopted giving rise to the Plan of Action for the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean, known as eLAC2007. This marked the beginning of a series of regional action plans aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable digital policies, including eLAC2010 and eLAC2015.
In 2013, the fourth Ministerial Conference in Montevideo adopted the Montevideo Declaration and the Work Plan 2013-2015. Later, in 2015, the fifth Ministerial Conference in Mexico City resulted in the approval of the Mexico Declaration and the eLAC2018 Digital Agenda.
The sixth Ministerial Conference, held in Cartagena de Indias in 2018, further strengthened regional cooperation. In 2020, the seventh conference — conducted virtually under the presidency of Ecuador — addressed the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and led to the adoption of the eLAC2022 Digital Agenda.
In 2022, the eighth Ministerial Conference, jointly organized by ECLAC and the Government of Uruguay, established the eLAC2024 Digital Agenda. This event brought together representatives from the public and private sectors, the technical community, and civil society, reaffirming the region’s commitment to digital transformation.
The current regional digital agenda, eLAC2026, was adopted during the ninth Ministerial Conference, held in November 2024 and organized by ECLAC and the Government of Chile. Its mission is to promote the development of an inclusive digital ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean through regional integration and cooperation. The agenda supports digital policies that emphasize knowledge, inclusion, equity, innovation, and environmental sustainability, positioning digital technologies as key tools for overcoming the structural development traps that constrain the region.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board: The executive body of eLAC2026, currently composed of the following countries Chile (Chair), Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago. Its main functions include supervising activities carried out under the eLAC framework and ensuring compliance with the agreements reached. The board’s mandate extends until the next Ministerial Conference in 2026.
Observers' Community: Observer members participate in the Presiding Board and include organizations and institutions from the private sector, the Internet technical community, international organizations, and civil society. These entities provide technical support, contribute to engagement with other forums and institutions, assist in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the activity program, and participate in ad hoc commissions as deemed appropriate.
National Focal Points: These are national-level liaisons within the eLAC2026 monitoring mechanism. Each country designates the institution that serves as its focal point. Their main role is to coordinate, facilitate, and promote the country's participation in the process.
Working Groups: These are cooperative spaces created to achieve specific goals under the leadership of a coordinating country.
Measurement Commission: This commission is responsible for monitoring progress toward the objectives set out in the eLAC2026 Digital Agenda. It also promotes digital measurement processes and statistical harmonization across the region.
eLAC2026
The Digital Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean brings together 38 objectives distributed across three enabling axes and three thematic pillars:
