This week, La República, one of the most important economic and financial newspapers in Colombia, published the latest article by ATREVIA President, Núria Vilanova, entitled Corporate Activism: Even More Necessary. The pandemic did not prevent the IV Business Council Alliance for Ibero-America (CEAPI) conference held last week in Madrid from being a success. Entrepreneurs and leaders from both continents – ranging from the King of Spain to the Secretary-General of the OECD, Ángel Gurría – shared inspiring examples, restored hope, and outlined a roadmap for the near future.
«All this in a context that forces us to act quickly and decisively. According to data provided at the conference by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) president, Mauricio Claver-Caronte, in addition to half a million deaths, COVID-19 has left 25 million people jobless, 30 million people below the poverty line, and 50 million people left the middle class in Ibero-America.
We are facing a challenging situation that requires commitment and principles so that no one is left behind. There are no shortcuts. We must move forward in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals, speaking and listening to the youngest generation’s proposals, as we have done in Madrid.
Entrepreneurs are capable and desire to be activists for change. This is reflected in the manifesto signed by more than 150 CEAPI members, which summarizes our ideals and vision for Ibero-America. We believe in corporate social and environmental commitment; we opt for a great social pact; we promote digital transformation; we are dedicated to the energy transition; we advocate for fast, fair, and quality financing mechanisms; we are devoted to promoting greater female inclusion; we trust and support youth; we encourage the practice and promotion of transparency and ethics in the public and private spheres, and avoid social polarization; we recognize the existence of diverse stakeholders around our companies–workers, suppliers, customers, shareholders, and the entire community with which they interact–; and, finally, we trust in a prosperous, inclusive, and fair Ibero-America.
This is our sincere attitude in a time which the world reopens, and we meet amongst one another, those of us who are part of a community that, on both sides of the Atlantic, reaches 683 million people, 9% of the world’s population, and which exceeds 815 million people if we include all the Spanish and Portuguese speakers.
A community with common interests: Currently, Spain is the leading investor in Latin America, after the United States, while Latin America is the fourth largest investor in Spain. It is essential to set aside differences and place emphasis upon everything that unites us to ensure the fruitful future of a region that has 50% of the world’s diversity and 33% of the world’s fresh water; that today has more students in higher education than ever before; that has the United States and China as its main trading partners; that is, after North America and Europe, the third most democratic region in the world; and the first, together with Europe, with the most women in parliament, 27%.
To successfully carry out this resolution, public and private initiatives must join forces. The pandemic has shown the best of the corporate world, its solidarity and generosity. Now, we need a climate of trust between governments and entrepreneurs. As stated by Stanley Motta, partner and CEAPI award winner, “there are no successful companies in failed states, nor successful states with failed companies.” The fate of some is the fate of all.
For entrepreneurs who are part of CEAPI, we have it clear. We have assumed the duty of making our companies the best companies for Ibero-America and the planet».
