Speakers will contextualize the event at the crossroads of a shifting global landscape, in which Colombia stands out as a land of opportunities due to its geographical location, rich biodiversity, and interest in enhancing energy transition, foreign investment, and trade. Then, speakers will review the involvement of Colombia, Mexico, and other Latin American countries in global trade and the intrinsic geopolitical complexities of integration. Furthermore, they will explore the implications of free trade and other international agreements as pathways to economic development, competitiveness, and international financing.

First panel: Colombia in a multipolar world

Colombia is at the center of Latin America in a changing, unstable, and multipolar world, but also at the center of opportunities. Democracy faces a global crisis, multilateralism shows its sad weakness, and Colombia, with its privileged position, emerges in the 21st century full of opportunities for the transition of energy sources, with global potential in biodiversity and a perfect hub for foreign trade for other countries. Colombia has enormous potential and opportunity—let's make it happen!

Second panel: Towards competitive foreign trade: Colombia, Mexico and Latin America

We will delve into the intricate landscape of Latin American countries' engagement with the global economy, disentangling the complexities surrounding foreign trade and integration and analysing the limitations and benefits. From the advantages of Free Trade Agreements to the strategic implications of international agreements, we will navigate the pathways to economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and secure international financing for these dynamic economies.

More about our speakers and chair

Roy Barreras is Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the Government of the United Kingdom. A surgeon who has practised in the private sector for over 20 years. In the last 16 years, he served his country from the Congress of the Republic; first, in the House of Representatives for four years and, in the remaining time, in the Senate of the Republic.

José Antonio Ocampo is a Professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He is chair of the Committee for Development Policy of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and chair of the Independent Commission on Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT). He has held numerous positions at the United Nations and in Colombia, including UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture, Director of Colombia's National Planning Office, and member of the Board of Directors of Colombia's central bank.

Vanessa Rubio-Márquez is Associate Dean for Extended Education, had a 25-year career in Mexico's public service, including serving as Senator and three times Deputy Minister (Finance -first woman in history at the job; Social Development; and Foreign Affairs). She held every position on the public sector ladder and has represented Mexico in various international fora, including the UN, the IMF, the WB, the OECD, the G-20 and a wide variety of regional development banks.

Michael Reid is an author, journalist, and speaker who specializes in Latin American, Iberian, and international affairs. In 2023, he was appointed a Visiting Professor in Practice at the School of Public Policy at LSE.

Kirsten Sehnbruch is a British Academy Global Professor and a Distinguished Policy Fellow at the International Inequalities Institute at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Previously, she was a research fellow at the Universidad de Chile, director of the Institute for Public Policy at the Universidad Diego Portales (Chile), and a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley.

Luis Garicano is a full professor at the School of Public Policy. Beginning at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he was a full professor in Economics and Strategy for over a decade. His academic pursuits extended to institutions such as MIT, Columbia Business School, and the London Business School as a visiting professor. Beyond academia, he served as an economist for the European Commission and McKinsey & Company, where he held a chair position with the FEDEA foundation. He assumed the role of Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to August 2022. During his tenure, he held key leadership positions within the Renew Europe Group and the European political party Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE Party).

Podcast & Video

A podcast of this event is available to download from Geopolitics and Trade: Opportunities for Colombia and Latin America .

A video of this event is available to watch at Geopolitics and Trade: Opportunities for Colombia and Latin America.  

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.