ALBA-TCP Strengthens Regional Integration with New Agreements at XII Extraordinary Summit

February 5, 2025 Hour: 3:43 pm

In the area of food security, the countries agreed to expand the AGROALBA project and organize the “International AGROALBA Fair 2025,” a strategic initiative to ensure food sovereignty through sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices.

The member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America-Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) held their XII Extraordinary and Special Summit on February 3, 2025, reaffirming their commitment to regional unity and the defense of the dignity of Latin American and Caribbean peoples against external pressures.

Inspired by the legacy of historical figures such as José Martí, Simón Bolívar, Hugo Chávez, and Fidel Castro, the region’s leaders emphasized the importance of building a pluripolar and multicentric world based on solidarity and self-determination.

During the summit, several key agreements were announced to strengthen regional integration and development. One of the most notable was the creation of a “Center for Science and Technology in Artificial Intelligence and Free Technologies,” based in Venezuela, which will seek to promote independent and ethical technological development in the region. This center aims to leverage “inter-scientific and intercultural knowledge” to address the needs of Latin American and Caribbean societies.

Additionally, the “ALBA Azul Project” was launched, a joint fisheries policy that will include the creation of a regional fishing fleet and coordinated strategies to harness the potential of this sector for food security.

In terms of transportation and trade, leaders advanced the signing of an “ALBA Framework Transportation Agreement” and the acquisition of an “ALBA Cargo Fleet,” aimed at facilitating commercial and economic exchange among member countries. Furthermore, a credit system from the “ALBA Bank” was made available to support migrant entrepreneurs in reintegrating into the productive forces of their countries of origin.

The summit also established a work agenda for the first quarter of 2025, with special meetings of ministers in key areas such as agriculture, fisheries, transportation, energy, science and technology, and trade. These meetings are part of the “ALBA-TCP Strategic Agenda 2030,” which seeks to consolidate strong and effective regional integration.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the “Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace” and denounced criminal organizations that exploit migrants. In this regard, they emphasized the importance of protecting migrants’ rights and ensuring their inclusion in the region’s development processes.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro closed the summit with a message highlighting the importance of unity and regional independence. “The dignity and development of our America cannot be subject to any external factor or foreign to our culture, idiosyncrasy, values, and common principles. Independence or Nothing! Union for Liberation!” he stated.

President Maduro recalled the 33 years since the resurgence of Bolivarianism and reiterated the commitment of ALBA-TCP countries to building a dignified and sovereign future for the peoples of the region.

The XII Extraordinary Summit of ALBA-TCP marked a new milestone in regional integration, with concrete actions to strengthen sovereignty, cooperation, and the well-being of Latin American and Caribbean peoples. The agreements reached reflect a renewed commitment to unity and self-determination, the fundamental pillars of the Bolivarian Alliance.