Loading organizations...
Key people at ECLAC.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is a United Nations regional commission based in Santiago, Chile, that conducts research and provides technical assistance to promote economic, environmental, and social development. Operating as a non-revenue-generating entity funded directly by the United Nations, the organization serves a network of 46 member states and 14 associate members across the Latin American and Caribbean region. The commission coordinates regional actions for economic growth, strengthens international trade ties, and advises government policymakers on sustainable development strategies. Throughout its history, the commission has collaborated with prominent international bodies like the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on specific regional initiatives and was historically shaped by influential structuralist economists such as Raúl Prebisch. ECLAC was founded in 1948 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Key people at ECLAC.
ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, or CEPAL in Spanish) is not a company, investment firm, or portfolio company. It is one of the United Nations' five regional commissions, established to promote economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.[1][2][3] Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, with subregional offices in Mexico City and Port-of-Spain, plus country offices across the region, ECLAC coordinates actions among its 46 member states (20 in Latin America, 13 in the Caribbean, 13 external) and 14 associate members to foster economic cooperation, reinforce regional ties, and advance sustainable development goals (SDGs).[1][2][4] Its work integrates economic, social, environmental, gender, and population dimensions, producing data-driven research, statistics (via CEPALSTAT and CEPALGEO), publications, and facilitating intergovernmental bodies like the Statistical Conference of the Americas.[1][5]
As a UN entity, ECLAC emphasizes SDG 17 (partnerships), SDG 8 (decent work), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), and SDG 16 (peace and justice), promoting "Global Environmental Keynesianism" for multidimensional equality and environmental balance in development.[2] It supports regional planning, capacity building, and dialogue through forums, training, and observatories, but has no investment activities, portfolio companies, or commercial products.[1][5]
ECLAC traces its roots to 1948, when the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) passed resolution 106(VI) on February 25, establishing the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA, or CEPAL) to drive economic development in the region.[1][3][4] Initially focused on Latin America, it expanded in 1984 via ECOSOC resolution 1984/67 to include Caribbean nations, renaming to ECLAC while keeping the CEPAL acronym.[2][3][4] No individual founders or key partners are highlighted; it emerged from UN multilateral efforts post-World War II to coordinate regional growth amid economic challenges.[1][3]
Early evolution centered on macroeconomic research and sectoral analysis, later incorporating social development, environment, gender, and SDGs. Pivotal expansions included subregional headquarters in Mexico City (1970s for Central America) and Port-of-Spain (1966 for the Caribbean), plus liaison offices like Washington, D.C.[1][4] Over 75+ years, it built a network of experts and stakeholders, becoming secretariat for nine intergovernmental bodies.[1]
ECLAC stands out among UN regional commissions through these strengths:
These enable ECLAC to bridge UN goals with regional realities, unlike more siloed global bodies.[2]
ECLAC indirectly supports tech ecosystems by promoting economic development, digital inclusion, and SDGs in Latin America and the Caribbean—regions with growing tech hubs like São Paulo, Mexico City, and Bogotá. It rides trends in sustainable digital transformation, data governance, and inequality reduction (SDG 10), providing stats on tech-enabled decent work (SDG 8) and partnerships (SDG 17).[2][5] Timing aligns with post-pandemic recovery, where ECLAC's research aids policies for AI, fintech, and green tech amid market forces like nearshoring and climate urgency.[1]
Through observatories and forums, it influences ecosystems by sharing methodologies, building stats capacity, and integrating tech into planning—e.g., tracking digital economies to boost startups via better regional data infrastructure.[1][5] This positions ECLAC as a convener for tech-policy alignment, enhancing investor confidence in LatAm/Caribbean innovation.
ECLAC will likely deepen SDG focus amid global shifts like climate tech and AI ethics, expanding digital observatories and training to support emerging tech ecosystems. Trends like regional trade blocs (e.g., via strengthened ties) and environmental Keynesianism could amplify its role in equitable tech growth, evolving from data provider to key architect of sustainable digital agendas in the region. This reinforces its foundational mission: coordinated development for a more integrated Latin America and Caribbean.
