Context
The region is at a critical juncture. In a context of geopolitical uncertainty, trade fragmentation and growing external shocks, regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean has regained strategic importance as a tool for resilience, productive transformation and sustainable development. The Caribbean offers a particularly relevant point of departure for this reflection, as its experience illustrates both the value of integration and the persistent challenges that continue to limit implementation. Reflecting on the Caribbean can therefore help inform a broader regional discussion on how Latin America and the Caribbean can move from commitments to action and better position regional integration to support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Purpose of the Side Event
This high-level dialogue aims to contribute to reflections on the future of regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean by sharing the main elements of the commissioned paper prepared for the period of sessions, which assesses the current state of Caribbean regional integration, with particular attention to commercial and productive integration, and identifies actionable recommendations for a renewed subregional integration agenda. In doing so, the event will provide an opportunity to reflect on what should be preserved and what may need to be adjusted considering the prevailing geopolitical context, while reaffirming the importance of regional integration for sustainable development and for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.