FONPLATA — Development Bank and the United Nations Development Coordination Office for Latin America and the Caribbean signed a Declaration of Intent to strengthen collaboration in support of countries’ development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The agreement creates a framework for advancing a joint work plan to identify, prepare, and reinforce projects aligned with both organizations’ agendas, with a special emphasis on subnational territories and regions with the greatest development needs. It also seeks to leverage the United Nations system’s technical expertise to promote innovative financing solutions, thematic instruments, territorial and cross-border initiatives, knowledge sharing, and partnerships with public, private, and regional actors.

Luciana Botafogo, FONPLATA’s Executive President, and Roberto Valent, Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United Nations Development Coordination Office, met virtually to formalize the Declaration and begin implementation. Both leaders agreed on the importance of moving quickly to a practical, action-oriented agenda that delivers tangible benefits for FONPLATA’s member countries.

“This Declaration provides FONPLATA and the UN with a practical framework to deepen collaboration in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. By combining the United Nations’ technical expertise and convening power with FONPLATA’s investment agenda, we can turn shared national and subregional priorities into concrete financing opportunities for sustainable development. Our common focus on territorial development and the SDG localization provides a solid foundation to support FONPLATA’s member countries in advancing solutions that respond to the needs of people, communities, and territories,” said Roberto Valent.

Luciana Botafogo highlighted the partnership’s potential to strengthen FONPLATA’s support to countries through its regional presence and proximity: “This Declaration creates a valuable opportunity to pair the United Nations’ technical expertise and coordination capacity with FONPLATA’s experience in development finance and its on-the-ground presence in member countries. We aim for this collaboration to translate into concrete actions that mobilize resources, build capacity, and generate sustainable solutions in the territories and organizations we serve.”

The Declaration identifies initial areas for cooperation that align with the region’s development priorities, including water and sanitation, resilience, technology, and innovation. It also highlights territories and initiatives of shared interest—such as the Gran Chaco Americano and the Bioceanic Corridor—because of their importance for integration, territorial development, and the creation of sustainable opportunities.

Through this Declaration, FONPLATA and the UN reaffirm their commitment to provide resources, technical expertise, and capacity-building support to countries, territories, and institutions to expand the region’s ability to address its development priorities.

07/09/2026