The today’s event was the second conference on the Latin America and the Caribbean organised by the Polish Sejm in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM). The inauguration was attended by Sejm Speaker Elżbieta Witek and PISM Director Sławomir Dębski. Secretary General of the Organisation of American States Luis Almagro was an honorary guest.

In his speech, Minister Czaputowicz noted that Poland wishes to strengthen its economic presence in the region. To this end, the Polish Investment and Trade Agency set up five new trade offices, the first of which opened in Mexico in May 2017 during a visit of the Polish President Andrzej Duda. Minister Czaputowicz also pointed out that Poland and the region of Latin America and the Caribbean share common challenges and take part in the dialogue on climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development, human rights, migration and Internet security. The minister noted that these topics that are discussed both bilaterally and at the fora of international organisations. He also recalled the cooperation at the UN Security Council. In 2018, Poland and two Andean countries, Peru and Bolivia, were non-permanent members of the Council, whereas the Dominican Republic began its membership in 2019. In conclusion, Minister Czaputowicz recalled the historic contribution of Poles to the region’s development. “The list of people who rendered great services to Latin America is long. Since the beginning of the 19th century, many Poles fought for the independence of the region’s countries,” emphasised the minister. “Many Poles emigrated to Latin America when Poland was partitioned and did not exist on the map of Europe,” he added.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Secretary General of the OAS Luis Almagro, who outlined the path of Latin America to democracy, focusing on the challenges the region faces. He also recalled Poland’s involvement in actions which led to the fall of the Iron Curtain in Europe, highlighting the fact that freedom is priceless across the world and that it should be fought for with one’s head held high.

During a meeting at the MFA, Minister Jacek Czaputowicz and Secretary General Luis Almagro talked about major challenges faced by Latin America and its role on the global arena. They also discussed the cooperation between the OAS and the Community of Democracies, whose Permanent Secretariat has its seat in Poland.

Luis Almagro’s visit in Warsaw is the first visit by a secretary general of the Organisation of American States to Poland. Established in 1948, the OAS is the world’s oldest regional organisation. Currently, it brings together 35 member states. Poland has been a permanent observer at the OAS since 1991.

MFA Press Office

Photo: Sebastian Indra/ MFA