Setting the scene: The next era of jobs and local development 

Coastal and port communities are on the front lines of economic and environmental change. As hubs of global trade, tourism, and maritime industries, they face both the urgency of decarbonisation and the opportunity to lead in areas such as offshore renewable energy, green shipping, and sustainable tourism. At the same time, they have to manage growing climate risks, such as rising sea levels, the impacts of shifting global value chains and new trade dynamics, and – for many – enduring legacies of previous waves of industrial transitions. This session will explore how coastal and port communities are creating new jobs and transforming their economies, with a focus on leveraging opportunities in the green economy and the impacts of automation. From attracting investments to addressing skills bottlenecks, to sharing the benefits of growth more broadly, join us for practical insights from leading policy makers and experts from across the OECD.

Across Latin America, labour market inclusion remains a pressing challenge. More than half of workers in Latin America and the Caribbean are in informal employment, while youth unemployment and persistent gender gaps continue to limit economic opportunities. As AI, digitalisation, and climate transition reshape economies, the risk of deepening inequalities is real—but so are the opportunities to create more inclusive local, pathways to good jobs. This discussion will take an in-depth look at how place-based approaches can drive more inclusive labour markets. It will address issues such as maximising the potential of the popular economy to support economic resilience and social cohesion to how to make the most of new economic opportunities opened up by shifting global value chains.

Cultural and recreational spaces are essential drivers of a vibrant night economy, shaping the identity of cities and fostering local development. From theatres, music venues, and nightlife districts to public spaces, galleries and creative hubs, the use of urban spaces after dark influences social interaction, economic prosperity, and community well-being. However, balancing cultural expression with regulation, accessibility, and sustainability remains a key challenge. This session will explore strategies for incentivising nighttime activities while ensuring they remain inclusive, accessible, and safe for all. Policymakers, business leaders, and cultural stakeholders must collaborate to strike a balance between economic growth and preserving a vibrant nighttime culture. Join us to discuss best practices and innovative solutions to support nighttime industries, address urban constraints, and promote safety while encouraging a night economy that benefits both residents and visitors.

A place’s brand is more than a logo or a slogan—it’s the story it tells the world. Place branding can help cities, regions, and countries redefine their identity, challenge outdated perceptions, and open new doors for local development via investment, tourism, and talent attraction. But to be effective, branding must be more than a top-down exercise—it must be an inclusive process that reflects local aspirations and identities. This session will explore the power of place branding as a tool for transformation. Building on successful examples, it will showcase strategies that make brands authentic and effective, demonstrating how they can evolve alongside shifting economic trends such as remote work, reshoring and sustainability.

In partnership with the Organisation of American States (OAS), this session will explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping jobs, skills, and local economies across Latin America and beyond. As Generative AI and automation continue to evolve, industries will face significant shifts in skills demand, requiring workers to adapt to new roles and technologies. Cities and regions must take proactive steps to ensure their workforces are equipped for the future of work, from strengthening management and business skills that complement AI, to investing in digital skills, AI literacy, and STEM education. This discussion will examine where AI-driven changes are having the greatest impact and where they will continue to do so in the future, identifying sectors at risk of disruption as well as emerging opportunities. It will also explore the role of policymakers, educators, and businesses in preparing young people for an increasingly tech-driven labor market.

Care is a universal concern, and the demand for care services is skyrocketing globally. The OECD projects a staggering 32% increase in long-term care employment over the next decade to meet these growing needs. Despite this surge, care work remains undervalued and informal, with women comprising 85% of the workforce, often facing precarious conditions and earning less than their male counterparts. Amongst other strategies, the social and solidarity economy is primed to boost local job creation, formalise activity and jobs, and reach underserved communities. This session will explore innovative solutions, including from the social and solidarity economy, for offering quality services, decent jobs, and gender equity for caregivers. Join us to discuss cutting-edge solutions and policies that can help shape a care economy that truly works for everyone.

When well-planned, major sports, business, and cultural events can generate both immediate and long-term benefits for local development. Beyond short-term economic gains from infrastructure investment, tourism growth, and contracts for local businesses, these events offer a platform to tackle broader development challenges. They can facilitate employment pathways for underrepresented groups and young people through tailored training, apprenticeships, and volunteering, enhancing long-term employability. Additionally, they can strengthen local SMEs, including circular, social, and solidarity economy enterprises, by improving procurement access and opening new markets. To enhance competitiveness as major event hosts and boost tourism, cities need to align event planning with broader development strategies. This includes investing in quality infrastructure, efficient transport, and diverse accommodation to ensure seamless visitor experiences. Strengthening local cultural and hospitality sectors through targeted training and business support can further enhance the visitor economy. Additionally, cities need to prioritise sustainability by promoting responsible tourism practices and minimising negative externalities. Guided by the OECD Recommendation on Global Events and Local Development, this session will examine how cities can maximise the impact of major events to foster sustainable local growth.

Gran Malecón: A Transformation Facing the River For decades, Barranquilla turned its back on the Magdalena River. With the construction of the Gran Malecón, the city reconnected with its essence, becoming a symbol of urban renewal, local pride, and sustainable tourism. This 5.5-kilometer space blends nature, culture, recreation, and commerce, fostering a harmonious relationship between the city and the river. Since its opening in 2017, the Gran Malecón has welcomed over 75 million visitors, making it Colombia’s most visited destination in recent years. This influx has driven the growth of hotels, shopping centers, and the city’s culinary scene, positioning the Malecón as a key driver of economic revitalisation. During this visit, participants will gain first-hand insight into how the Gran Malecón became a catalyst for urban transformation and territorial reconnection, while learning from its success as a sustainable and inclusive development model.

Barranquilla: Connecting to the World through Culture, Creativity, and Carnival Barranquilla stands out for its vibrant culture, a fusion of emotions, rhythms, and flavors from the Colombian Caribbean that come together in its most iconic celebration: the Barranquilla Carnival. Declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, the Carnival is the heart of a unique cultural ecosystem that includes the Casa del Carnaval (Carnival House), the Carnival Museum, and the Fábrica de Cultura (Culture Factory). These spaces preserve, celebrate, and showcase the traditions of Colombia’s largest festival, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the region’s deepest cultural roots. Experience an unmatched immersive journey through the history, music, dances, costumes, and cultural expressions that have made the Barranquilla Carnival the second most important celebration in Latin America. Because in Barranquilla, only those who live it, truly enjoy it!

AudacIA: Robotics and AI for Local Development In the heart of Barranquilla, the Research Center AudacIA at the University Simon Bolivar has become a regional hub in robotics and Artificial Intelligence, driving technological solutions from and for local communities. Through a collaborative model between academia, industry, and the public sector, the Center has contributed to the development of prototypes, services, and technology-based ventures that have a real impact in sectors such as health, transportation, education, and resilience. In 2024, the University Simon Bolivar signed a Cooperation Agreement with the Organization of American States (OAS), recognizing AudacIA as a Center of Excellence for the Americas. During the Study Tour, participants will learn firsthand how AudacIA promotes projects that combine applied research, technology transfer, and the talent development to foster economic in the region and solve challenges for businesses and communities. The visit will include a presentation of the Center and a guided tour of its laboratory to showcase AI use cases. There will also be an exchange with local tech companies which, through collaboration with AudacIA, have managed to design and implement AI solutions to optimize their processes, improve their products, and expand their reach to global markets. The Study Tour to AudacIA aims to inspire and demonstrate how the generation of knowledge, when connected to the real needs of the local ecosystem, can drive innovation, competitiveness, and well-being that directly benefits people and communities.

Discover Barranquilla: A Model of Sustainability, Nature, and Progress In the heart of the Colombian Caribbean, Barranquilla has transformed its landscapes into powerful symbols of resilience, innovation, and sustainable development. Two of its most emblematic projects — the Ciénaga de Mallorquín Ecopark and the urban beach of Puerto Mocho — are living examples of how a city can successfully integrate progress, environmental conservation, and community well-being. Ciénaga de Mallorquín Ecopark At the northern tip of Barranquilla, where the Magdalena River meets the Caribbean Sea, the Ciénaga de Mallorquín Ecopark flourishes as a natural sanctuary. It is home to more than 170 bird species, along with mammals, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Four types of mangroves surround the wetlands, creating a unique and vital ecosystem for Caribbean biodiversity. This ambitious environmental restoration project — now the most iconic in the Colombian Caribbean — proves that sustainable development is possible when natural assets are transformed into engines of ecotourism, social development, and inclusive local growth. During this visit, participants will explore a natural treasure nestled among mangroves and ferns, and witness how conservation can drive territorial transformation. Puerto Mocho Beach More than just a beach, Puerto Mocho is a symbol of urban transformation. Stretching over one kilometre, this urban beach brings together water sports, local cuisine, and recreational spaces — all within a sustainable tourism model that centres communities and the environment. Together, the Ciénaga de Mallorquín Ecopark and Puerto Mocho showcase the future of sustainable tourism in Colombia, offering a model of a city that balances nature and progress. Hop aboard the “Tren de las Flores” and join us on a journey through a reimagined Barranquilla — a city that welcomes you with the river’s breeze, the sea’s embrace, and the serenity of the mangroves.

Labour Inclusion: Opportunities for All In Barranquilla, labour inclusion has moved beyond aspiration to become a tangible public policy. The city has implemented strategies that recognise and support companies that open their doors to people with disabilities, victims of conflict, migrants, and host communities. This strategies have enabled over 300 people with disabilities to access formal employment in 55 companies committed to diversity. One of these companies is Tecnoglass, a global leader in architectural glass and aluminum solutions. With over 9,000 employees and a 4.1-million-square-foot industrial complex in Barranquilla, Tecnoglass embeds sustainability and inclusion at the heart of its business model. Participants will tour this vertically integrated operation and hear firsthand from both workers and employers how inclusive hiring has become a driver of productivity, innovation, social cohesion, and business pride. From glass transformation to aluminum extrusion, the visit will highlight how business growth can go hand in hand with job creation, skills development, and community well-being — proving that inclusion and competitiveness are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing.

Entrepreneurial ecosystems have become a cornerstone of economic development, fostering innovation, investment, and business growth. While general best practices in ecosystem-building are well established, the landscape is shifting. For example, while in the past, entrepreneurial ecosystems were built on local networks and referrals, future ecosystems will need to connect these networks across communities and countries. Future ecosystems will also need to empower entrepreneurs to use AI, VR, IoT, and AR through all stages of business formation and growth. Join us to examine how leaders can build on what works while embracing these emerging trends to ensure their ecosystems remain resilient, inclusive, and positioned for global success.

Across the OECD, one in eight young people (aged between 15 and 29) are not in employment, education or training (NEET). Rates are even higher in Latin America, reaching almost one in five. Young people also face a fractured geography of opportunity – in Colombia, for example, the NEET rate varies over two-fold across regions. This session will explore how innovative, place-based approaches can help bridge the gap between education and employment, such as smoothing school-to-work transitions and improving access quality vocational training that provides a path to good jobs.

Labour informality remains a critical challenge in Latin America, despite considerable efforts to address it, more than half of workers in the region were in informal employment. While it is an obstacle to longer-term growth, competitiveness and productivity, informality also impacts workers’ health, safety and well-being, and hinders their access to training and skills development, as well as to social security benefits and labour rights. With high informality in some countries, the social and solidarity economy - closely linked to the popular economy, which includes informal and community-based activities led by self-employed workers, cooperatives, and small enterprises - offers pathways to formal employment. In particular, co-operatives, often easier to set up due to lower entry barriers and regulatory burdens, can help address issues such as poverty, unemployment and the informal economy. This session will explore the innovative solutions the social and solidarity economy offers to help Latin American economies transition towards more formal activities and worker security.

Applying a gender lens to local development isn’t just about equity—it’s a strategic imperative for building resilient, inclusive, and competitive communities. This demands more than targeted “pink” initiatives—policies across the board need to incorporate a gender lens. Women should not only be seen as targets of local development policies but also as active participants in shaping them. Their voices are essential in debates and decision-making processes to ensure strategies reflect diverse realities and drive meaningful change for all. This session brings together voices from government, business, civil society, and academia to discuss how strengthening women's participation and leadership is essential for resilient local development.

The private sector has a powerful role to play in advancing inclusive and sustainable local transformations. Beyond generating jobs and growth, businesses can support efforts to expand opportunities for disadvantaged populations, strengthen skills development, and direct corporate social responsibility efforts for collective, local impact. Business coalitions, chambers of commerce, and industry groups can provide continuity across political cycles and steer local development strategies that align with economic realities. However, private sector involvement must be balanced with strong public and community engagement to avoid risks such as lack of transparency or economic growth that undermines social progress. Given their local roots and mission-driven orientations, social economy organisations can also have a powerful role to play. This session will bring together business, community and policy leaders to discuss how to harness private sector leadership in ways that create broad-based benefits for communities.