#Latin America #Sustainable Development #UN Global Compact #Uruguay #Montevideo

UN Global Compact Hosts Latin American Leaders Forum in Montevideo

On November 3, 2026, the United Nations Global Compact convened the second Leaders Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montevideo, Uruguay. Over 300 leaders gathered from various sectors, including business, government, finance, academia, and international organizations, to accelerate collective action towards sustainable development. The event highlighted the region's innovative and scalable solutions to pressing global challenges.

The forum's theme, "From Ambition to Action: Latin America and the Caribbean Leading Global Sustainable Solutions," aimed to spotlight regional achievements in sustainable practices. This gathering follows the inaugural forum held in Paraguay in 2024, reflecting an ongoing commitment to enhancing collaboration that addresses local and global issues alike.

One of the forum's primary objectives was to establish a robust platform for dialogue, enabling participants to devise practical solutions to the many challenges impacting businesses and societies across Latin America and the Caribbean. Attendees engaged in discussions regarding the region's evolving role within an increasingly dynamic global environment, shaped by geopolitical changes, technological advancements, climate risks, and shifting global value chains.

Key discussion points included the potential of Latin America and the Caribbean to leverage its abundant natural resources, technological innovation, and business leadership to enhance regional competitiveness and resilience. Participants addressed critical areas such as responsible artificial intelligence, sustainable finance, climate action, business integrity, and the promotion of inclusive economic growth. The focus was on transforming sustainability commitments into actionable outcomes that can deliver tangible benefits for businesses, societies, and the environment.

This forum also marked a significant step for the UN Global Compact, which has seen substantial engagement from Latin American and Caribbean countries, now representing its second-largest region in terms of participation. With over 4,300 companies involved, nearly 60 percent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises, the emphasis on collective initiatives is more essential than ever.

UN Assistant Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, Sanda Ojiambo, addressed participants, reinforcing the importance of private sector leadership in navigating shared challenges. Ojiambo highlighted the resources, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit present in the region, stating, "Responsible business is resilient business. Together, we are harnessing these attributes to create a robust platform for business leaders to collaborate across borders."

A crucial outcome of the forum was the launch of the Latin America Business Leaders Coalition (LBLC), a CEO-led platform designed to unite top executives to confront shared challenges and boost regional competitiveness and prosperity. This coalition aspires to amplify the influence of Latin America's private sector in global decision-making processes. According to Ojiambo, this initiative represents a turning point, allowing CEOs to coordinate efforts that lead to measurable and impactful results.

The LBLC, which includes founding members such as Grupo AJE from Peru and Natura from Brazil, seeks to articulate shared priorities and mobilize resources to translate collective commitments into practical, coordinated actions.

Additionally, the forum unveiled the report, "From Commitment to Action: Business Cases from Latin America and the Caribbean," which provides real-world examples of how companies across the region are integrating sustainability into their operations. The publication aims to inspire further action by showcasing how such practices not only contribute to social and environmental outcomes but also unlock new business opportunities.

The UN Global Compact continues to advocate for business alignment with key principles regarding human rights, environmental stewardship, and anti-corruption. With an expanding presence in over 100 countries, the UN Global Compact is dedicated to transforming sustainability ambitions into concrete actions that meet the urgent demands of our world today. As such, forums like the one held in Montevideo are vital for ensuring the ongoing commitment to sustainability and fostering a united approach among businesses in Latin America.

As this collaborative movement continues to unfold, the expectation is clear: The leaders of tomorrow's business landscape must act decisively, embracing sustainable practices that deliver benefits for people, the planet, and profits alike. The collective future relies on each decision made in the pursuit of sustainable solutions.