Panel Discussion: International Economic Integration

"What does Uruguay need to become a developed country? Is it possible to make that leap in the near future? What are the challenges?" Questions like these were addressed by representatives of national and international organizations on October 26 at the Mercosur Building, as part of the "Dialogues on the Future of Uruguay."

Crucial topics such as the strategies needed to strengthen Uruguay's international economic integration were discussed, along with an analysis of the main challenges in a global context of uncertainty.

The debate focused on the importance of considering political aspects in international relations to promote sustainable trade. It was emphasized that quality international integration goes beyond trade and foreign investment, involving the ambitious implementation of new productive development policies.

José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), participated as a panelist and offered a critical analysis of structural and long-term challenges, pointing out that Uruguay is not immune to the issue of low growth affecting the region.

To build a more productive, inclusive, and sustainable future, he proposed promoting eleven key transformations in development models, addressing inequalities, social protection, education, gender equality, and macroeconomics.

The ECLAC expert concluded that quality international integration does not simply involve trade and attracting foreign direct investment. It is a matter of applying, on a larger scale and with greater ambition, the new generation of productive development policies.

Among the speakers were also Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, UNCTAD-Geneva; Nicolás Albertoni, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay; Luis Bértola, Professor, University of the Republic of Uruguay; Teresa Aishemberg, Senior Global Advisor; Michel Muschett, Deputy Secretary-General, Deputy Administrator, and Director of the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, UNDP-New York; Diego Escuder, Director General of Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Roberto Icasuriaga, Vice President of Sustainability of the Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technologies; Verónica Durán, Director of the Office of Programming and Agricultural Policy of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries; Alberto Charro, Executive President, BBVA Uruguay Bank; Karl L. Ríos, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States of America; and Paolo Berizzi, member of the Delegation of the European Union.