This initiative is part of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which seeks to "develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels". For CAF and Parlatino, the work of the congresses is fundamental for the region to successfully face the challenges of equity, productive transformation and sustainability that are part of the SDG targets and the agendas of both institutions.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding was led by the Argentine senator and president of Parlatino, Silvia Giacoppo; and CAF's executive president, Sergio Díaz Granados, who stated: "Our mission is to promote sustainable development and regional integration, so alliances like this one with a strategic partner such as Parlatino, will drive institutional strengthening and dialogue that leads to the region's congresses being able to better respond to challenges that do not wait and affect us all such as climate change, productivity and the well-being of Latin Americans and Caribbeans".

The President of Parlatino, Silvia Giacoppo, said: "It is essential to strengthen the technical and political capacities of national parliaments and their legislative functions to make them more efficient, accessible and transparent. We are also convinced that with CAF's support, we will be able to address a new form of interaction between society and the legislative branches in order to guarantee parliamentary openness, access to public information, accountability and citizen participation through initiatives that promote the comprehensive modernization of national parliaments using the latest information and communication technologies".

The President of Parlatino, Silvia Giacoppo, said: "It is essential to strengthen the technical-political capacities of national parliaments and their legislative functions to make them more efficient, accessible and transparent. We are also convinced that with CAF's support, we will be able to address a new form of interaction between society and the legislative branches in order to guarantee parliamentary openness, access to public information, accountability and citizen participation through initiatives that promote the comprehensive modernization of national parliaments using the latest information and communication technologies".

The beginning of the work with Parlatino will be carried out in three areas of work. The first will be "dialogues for development", which seeks to strengthen the institutional capacities of Parlatino and the region's congresses to face the challenges in the fight against inequality, climate change, gender equity and modernization of the state, among others. The second area will focus on the digital connectivity of the region's congresses in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge among Latin American and Caribbean parliamentarians.

Finally, the third line of action will focus on "strengthening parliamentary leadership," which seeks to provide technical and legislative tools so that congressmen and their parliamentary work teams have better tools to respond to the challenges of 21st century politics.

The work of legislators, both in their role of representation, legislation and political control, are essential for the proper functioning of other state institutions, especially those developed by the executive branches. Only with congressmen committed to the new development agendas and capable of building political agreements will the region be able to face the challenges that are part of its present and future agenda.

Translated by: A.M