Latin America & the Caribbean are distinct but interconnected regions with rich, cultural, historical, economic, and geographic differences. Despite these differences, the region is undergoing deep political and economic change.

The COVID crisis exposed deep structural problems in welfare states, health systems, and public sector capacities. Thousands of small and medium enterprises were closed and productive capabilities were lost. Despite early signs of recovery last year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dealt an additional blow to the region. The inflationary cost-of-living crisis has compounded the problem. This endangers the most vulnerable communities and members of society. A climate crisis looms on the horizon, and this is increasing the scale and intensity of water, biodiversity, and soil-related crises. Some of the biggest roadblocks ahead for the region are its dependence on natural resources, its low productivity and its weak institutional and governance capacity, economic inequality, educational disparities, and regional integration challenges.

Latin America and the Caribbean need greater opportunities for a new growth path that focuses on a different approach to investment, innovation, and industrial strategy. The region needs new policies that strengthen its competitiveness. It must rethink the role of state, not as the traditional market fixer, but rather, a market shaper in collaboration with the private sector to build capacity and competencies that are needed. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of domestic and international efforts, including comprehensive policies that promote economic diversification, education, healthcare, governance reforms, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.

Capacity building is a crucial concept for the development of countries, particularly in the context of Latin America & the Caribbean. It refers to the process of enhancing a country’s ability to effectively implement policies, manage resources, deliver services, and address challenges in various sectors. Capacity building can help with sustainable development, effective governance, human capital development, infrastructure development and poverty alleviation. Capacity building can have a lasting impact by equipping individuals and institutions with the skills, knowledge, and tools they need.

The launch of the Latin American & Caribbean Counsel Association (LA&CCA) signifies the start of a movement that can help to create further integration of the region and address many of the institutional governance challenges through collaboration with international organisations, donor countries and government and non-governmental organisations. LA&CCA is poised to become the unrivalled forum and voice for corporate counsel in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its mission is clear: to elevate the capabilities of corporate counsel, champion legal reforms, and advance business interests through transformative education, networking, and advocacy.

As the voice of corporate counsel, we are at the forefront of championing legal reforms and offering enriching education. We are committed to fostering a united, informed legal community ready to navigate emerging challenges and seize opportunities in the 21st century.

LA&CCA aims to play a vital role in empowering corporate counsel and countries in the region to address some of the challenges they face and to provide training and professional development for lawyers in the region. It is essential for legal professionals, bar associations, governments, and other relevant stakeholders to invest in and promote ongoing training and professional development programmes for lawyers. These programmes can enhance legal skills, promote ethical conduct, and contribute to a fairer and more effective justice system overall. LA&CCA is committed to unlocking potential by leading capacity-building initiatives, providing comprehensive training for in-house counsels, and advocating for regulatory reform. With a deep understanding of the regional complexities, LA&CCA is uniquely positioned to not just bridge the gap, but to create a wave of change that will ripple across the legal and corporate landscapes of the region, transforming the professional lives of our members and their employers, and contributing to societal advancement. Join the movement, check us out at www.la-cca.org and sign up for your complimentary membership today. We look forward to hearing from you.

About the author: Shelly-Ann Mohammed is the dynamic founder and leader at the helm of the Latin American Counsel Association. With more than 12 years of legal expertise under her belt and a distinguished educational background including her qualification from Oxford University, Shelly-Ann is a visionary with a relentless passion for catalyzing social impact throughout the Latin American and Caribbean region. Her journey is defined by a profound commitment to fostering opportunity within these vibrant communities. Over the course of her illustrious career, she has founded no fewer than four non-profit organisations, each dedicated to driving transformative change and cultivating a positive legacy within the realms of medicine, finance, and law. Shelly-Ann’s unwavering dedication to creating lasting, meaningful change has touched countless lives and ignited a beacon of hope across the Latin American and Caribbean landscape.