Key Topics for the Upcoming CELAC-EU Summit in Colombia

In the city of Santa Marta, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, the summit between the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the European Union (EU) will take place this coming weekend. It will be the fourth summit between these two entities, held from Nov. 7 to 10, and chaired by Gustavo Petro as CELAC’s pro tempore president — its main driving force.

In a global context shaken by the energy crisis, climate challenges, and the emergence of new geopolitical blocs, both regions seek to refresh their biregional alliance, signal strategic autonomy, and translate long-standing political commitments into concrete measures.

For the group of American member countries, the summit is an opportunity to strengthen trade alliances with Europe, following the success of last may’s summit with China, in the context of the tariff war launched by President Trump in the United States, the main trading partner of most Latin American and Caribbean nations.

Key topics for the upcoming CELAC-EU summit in Colombia: a ‘triple transition’

Although not all members of each bloc (33 from CELAC and 27 from the EU) have confirmed their attendance, in the lead-up to the event, discussions have centered on a “triple transition” — energy, digital, and environmental — as its main axis, as well as the need to balance relations that have historically been asymmetrical. On the diplomatic front, the summit offers an opportunity for Latin America and Europe to redefine their alliance in an increasingly multipolar world.

The goal is for Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean to work hand in hand to accelerate the shift toward clean energy, deploy cutting-edge digital technologies, and integrate strong environmental standards into their economies.

In the words of the organizers, this is not merely about symbolic statements, but about transforming cooperation into real investments, technological transfer, and sustainable financing mechanisms. This shift in perspective reflects the conviction that the biregional bloc cannot remain confined to rhetoric when global competitiveness and the climate crisis demand a shared response.

Beyond the transition, the agenda includes issues that directly affect the lives of millions of people. Food security emerges as a critical concern: How to ensure resilient production and distribution chains in the face of climate change, energy crises, or global disruptions.

At the same time, social inclusion is seen as a prerequisite for sustainable North-South cooperation; gender perspectives, youth participation, education, and climate justice are gaining ground as cross-cutting themes. The intention is that Euro-Latin American collaboration should not reproduce old patterns of dependency but foster a fairer economy in which the most vulnerable populations have a voice and a leading role.

The third major focus of the summit concerns the reconfigured geopolitical context. Europe faces challenges in supply, industrial transition, and global alliances; Latin America and the Caribbean are taking advantage of an opening to strengthen strategic autonomy, diversify partnerships, and assume a more active role in international governance.

This meeting in Santa Marta aims to show that the biregional partnership is not merely development cooperation: it is an alliance of equals. Within this framework, discussions will also cover trade, sustainable investment, financial system reforms, and the joint fight against transnational crime and informal economies.

Key figures shaping the pace of the CELAC-EU summit

The summit will be co-chaired by Gustavo Petro, as host and CELAC’s pro tempore president; Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission; and Antonio Costa, president of the European Council. During the four-day summit, delegations from participating countries will gather in Santa Marta to take part in various forums — civil society, business, youth, academia, and feminist groups.

The strategy of involving multiple sectors aims to ensure that the summit is not confined to presidential protocol but extends its reach to citizens and productive sectors.

Although expectations are high, the event also faces challenges. Logistical organization requires complex coordination given the large number of players and the diversity of agendas in both regions.

As some analysts warn, there is no guarantee that all heads of state will attend or that the commitments signed will translate into real actions. In this regard, the Colombian president claimed last week that the United States has allegedly pressured several countries not to attend a summit Washington views as a challenge to its economic influence in Latin America.

Another obstacle is the credibility of cooperation: After the last edition in 2023, there was lingering disappointment over the slow pace of implementation of the agreements. This adds pressure on the operational nature of the declaration expected to emerge from Santa Marta.

Finally, the international context — war in Ukraine, tensions among major powers, and the global energy crisis — complicates the landscape in which this biregional alliance must operate.

What is expected to be achieved over the weekend?

Organizers and participants agree that the goal is ambitious but necessary. In Santa Marta, the aim is to produce a declaration — the so-called Santa Marta CELAC-EU 2025 Declaration — that sets out concrete commitments for the coming years in the areas of energy transition, food security, climate financing, digitalization, and technological innovation.

At the same time, the objective is to inject new momentum into the biregional relationship so that it ceases to be just another forum and becomes a driver of investment, productive alliances, and cooperation in critical areas. For Latin America and the Caribbean, the goal is to emerge less dependent, better prepared, and more connected with Europe; for the European Union, the opportunity lies in opening a distinct strategic partnership — with growing capacity, relevant natural resources, and a young demographic that could play a decisive role in the 21st century.

The CELAC-EU Summit in Santa Marta represents an effort to redefine relations between two regions with a shared history but different dynamics. The triple transition, social inclusion, and strategic autonomy are the axes that could mark a turning point.

However, its success will depend on the ability to translate speeches into investments, promises into cooperation mechanisms, and alliances into concrete projects. If everything works as expected, this meeting could demonstrate that Europe and Latin America not only share values but also a common future. Otherwise, good intentions will once again remain on paper. In those November days, Santa Marta will not just be a venue — it will be the showcase of biregional cooperation between continents.

Related: EU Commission President Skips CELAC-EU Summit in Colombia; is it at risk of falling?