The first edition of the Global Business Forum (GBF) LATAM was launched in 2016, in a context in which Latin America's major economies were showing a worrying slowdown in growth. The GBF series seeks to strengthen potential ties, explore the changing dynamics of emerging markets, examine opportunities to increase business and investment and nurture cooperation between regions to boost relations and support mutual growth.In this edition of the forum, ACS Secretary General Rodolfo Sabonge participated as a panellist on day 2 on the theme "Grow - Trade in the post-COVID world".

In the margins of the event, the Secretary General met bilaterally with Minister of International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), H.E. Reem Al Hashimi. They discussed the need to address climate change, reduce disaster risks but also to make key regional productive sectors - tourism, trade and transport - more sustainable and resilient through digital transformation, efficient logistics and a data-driven approach. The Secretary General also met with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Shirley Dennise Aguilar Barrera, and the Director of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism, Anayansy  Rodríguez.

Just a few days after a fruitful bilateral with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica, Rodolfo Solano Quiros in Costa Rica in the margins of an ECLAC meeting chaired by the latter, the Secretary General was again able to engage Minister Quiros .He also spoke with the Minister of Economy, Planning and Development of the Dominican Republic, Miguel Ceara Hatton; with the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Ports World, Sultan Bin Sulayem; and also with the Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Dr. Didacus Jules.

Sabonge was interviewed by Dubai TV where he gave his views on the impact of the GBF on international cooperation.

The membership of the ACS was duly represented with the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivering a presentation on Guyana's efforts to support economic diversification and the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque Marquez presenting, virtually, on the economic revival process implemented in Colombia. Panama Canal Deputy Administrator and Vice President of Operations, Ilya Espino de Marotta, participated as a panellist on the Women's Pavilion panel "A Thirst for Equality: Addressing Challenges in Access to Water Resources.