The Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development 2026 offers a high-level platform for discussing regional progress on the 2030 Agenda, with a strong focus on priority goals such as SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

This makes it an ideal venue to highlight the importance of industrial development for sustainable growth, resilience and reduced inequality. This joint UNIDO-ECLAC session brings together two complementary perspectives: the IDR26's forward-looking analysis of industrial policy for the future, and ECLAC's expertise on the role of FDI in productive development.
By combining these two analytical lenses, the session will offer participants an integrated view of how industrial strategies and investment policies can work in tandem to accelerate structural transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, this dedicated session ensures that the report's findings for LAC, together with ECLAC's analysis on FDI and productive development, inform high-level regional policymaking at a moment when countries are discussing implementation challenges and preparing Voluntary National Reviews. It also enables peer learning on how LAC can leverage opportunities in clean energy, digitalization and strategic sectors to strengthen productive capacities.

By embedding the IDR26 results and ECLAC's FDI analysis in this regional dialogue, the session reinforces the central role of SDG 9 in advancing the wider 2030 Agenda and promotes partnerships to support a more inclusive, resilient and competitive industrial future for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In line with the Forum’s emphasis on accelerating SDG implementation through global, regional and national dialogues, the session will:
• discuss region-specific challenges and emerging opportunities in the context of global megatrends;
• highlight strategic policy options for fostering sustainable and inclusive industrialization; and
• promote multi-stakeholder collaboration to support the region’s long-term productive development.