Guayaquil, August 19, 2024. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, and CAF—development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean—have agreed to collaborate more closely to generate knowledge and support public policies related to transnational organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The agreement was announced during the Regional Security Summit organized by Ecuador’s Ministry of the Interior and the IDB in Guayaquil on August 19 and 20. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Interior Minister Mónica Palencia, and interior and justice ministers from 13 countries in the region participated in the summit.
The agreement outlines five potential domains of collaboration: knowledge and research production and dissemination; academic collaboration and development; policymaker and expert engagement; statistical integration and standardization; and policy support and resource mobilization. The final domain involves exploring opportunities for collaboration to support crime prevention policies through platforms, networks, co-financing, capacity development, and resource mobilization to combat criminal violence in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly focusing on organized crime.
“The grave security crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean has deepened as crime becomes increasingly organized and regional. This new partnership between the IDB, the World Bank, and CAF will build bridges within and beyond the region to coordinate efforts of countries, multilateral development banks, and other partners to make it a safer place for everyone,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn.
“Violence and organized crime in Latin America pose serious obstacles to development. Addressing these critical challenges is essential to spur economic growth, eradicate poverty, and foster societies free of violence,” said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank vice president for Latin America. He added that this agreement would allow "the three development agencies to work with each other" alongside countries "to find solutions that will improve lives in the region."
“The alarming reality is that one-third of all homicides worldwide are committed in Latin America," said Sergio Díaz-Granados, executive president of CAF. He noted that "a major culprit of this surge in violence is organized transnational crime." He expressed confidence that this multilateral agreement would yield comprehensive insight into this issue: “One thing is certain: without security in our countries, there can be no sustainable development.”
After signing the agreement, the three institutions will create a roadmap to chart their progress towards its objectives.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) focuses on improving lives in Latin America. Established in 1959, it partners with public sectors across 26 countries providing financing solutions for sustainable development.
About the World Bank
The World Bank aims to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet by providing financing advice for job creation economic growth tackling urgent global challenges.
About CAF
CAF promotes sustainable development by financing public/private sector projects technical cooperation founded comprising 21 countries Spain Portugal plus private banks being key multilateral financing source generating regional knowledge.
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