Programme

14:00-14:30 — Registration
14:30-14:40 — Opening remarks

• Justyna Szczudlik, Deputy Director of Research PISM
• Alberto Brunori, Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation

14:40-15:00 — Keynote address

• Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland (tbc)

Panel discussions:

15:00-16:15 — Session 1:
The EU-CELAC Partnership: Strategic Priorities in a Dynamic Geopolitical Scenario

The session will assess the state of the EU-CELAC strategic partnership in light of recent political developments, including the outcomes of the 2025 EU-CELAC Summit in Santa Marta, the EU-CELAC Roadmap 2026–2027 and the 2026 EU-CELAC Ministerial Meeting. Against a rapidly evolving geopolitical and economic backdrop, the discussion will examine the strategic priorities shaping bi-regional cooperation and the implications for future political and economic engagement.

Guiding questions:

• What are the main achievements of the renewed EU-CELAC partnership, and where do key challenges remain?
• How can the implementation of the EU-CELAC Roadmap 2026–2027 translate political commitments into tangible cooperation?
• How are shifting geopolitical dynamics – including changing global trade patterns, evolving transatlantic relations and the EU's growing focus on security and defence – influencing the EU's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean?
• Which priorities should guide the next phase of the EU-CELAC strategic partnership?
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Moderation: Anna Barrera, EU-LAC Foundation

• Maciej Fałkowski, Director of the Department for Africa, Middle East and Latin America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
• Christian Burgsmüller, Head of Division – Americas Regional Affairs, European External Action Service (EEAS)
• Pablo Sader, Ambassador of Uruguay to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, Representative of the CELAC pro tempore presidency
• Luiz Cesar Gasser, Ambassador of Brazil in Poland (tbc)

Q&A

16:15-16:35 — Coffee break

16:35-18:00 — Session 2:
Potential for Enhancing CEE-LAC Economic Cooperation

While economic relations between Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean have expanded over the past two decades, significant untapped potential remains. This panel will examine the current state of trade and investment relations, explore the role of economic diplomacy in strengthening bilateral and bi-regional ties, and identify new opportunities for business engagement within the broader framework of the EU-CELAC partnership.

Guiding questions:

• How have trade and investment relations between CEE and LAC evolved since the accession of CEE countries to the European Union?
• Where does Latin America and the Caribbean feature in the economic diplomacy strategies of CEE countries? What are the most promising
• How can national and EU instruments such as Global Gateway Investment Agenda could complement in fostering CEE-LAC economic cooperation?
• What opportunities arise from the EU association agreements with LAC partners including Chile, Mexico and Mercosur?

Moderation: Bartłomiej Znojek, Latin America Analyst, PISM

• a representative of Mexico (tbd)
• a representative of the Polish business (tbd)
• Paolo Garzotti, Head of Unit – Trade Relations with Latin America, DG TRADE, European Commission
• Sándor Gyula Nagy, Full Professor at Corvinus University of Budapest
• Bartłomiej E. Nowak, Chief Economist, Director of the Analysis and Data Management, Polish Trade and Investment Agency (PAIH)

​Q&A

18:00-18:10 — Closing remarks

• Justyna Szczudlik, Deputy Director of Research, PISM
• Alberto Brunori, Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation

Those wishing to attend are kindly requested to confirm by 7 October (Wednesday) via email to konferencje@pism.pl. Due to the limited number of places, the organisers reserve the right to close registration early.