NEWSLETTER | MAY 2026

Building a work plan with shared priorities across the Americas

The Americas Business Dialogue continues to develop action plans through its working groups, with the goal of consolidating a strategic agenda for the year ahead.

Over the past few weeks, a series of meetings have taken place, helping to align perspectives, strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and advance the definition of shared priorities.

These exchanges are key to identifying opportunities and building a collective vision to drive economic development across the Americas.

White Paper Launch by the Finance Working Group

ABD Advances the Conversation on Capital Mobilization

Engagement with Government Authorities within the IDBPay Framework

New ABD Members

White Paper Launch by the Finance Working Group

The ABD Finance Working Group has released its report, “The Future of Digital Financial Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

The White Paper highlights the need to promote financial health in Latin America and the Caribbean, encompassing resilience, financial literacy, and long-term economic security. Building on these pillars, the report examines the impact of digital innovation on financial inclusion across the region. It also addresses persistent structural barriers and best practices to expand access and strengthen economic growth.

ABD Advances the Conversation on Capital Mobilization

On April 23, ABD co-organized the panel “Mobilizing Capital in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities and Policy Priorities”, together with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Georgetown Americas Institute (GAI).

During the session, participants examined a range of regulatory and institutional approaches aimed at unlocking capital to finance strategic projects in sectors where the region holds a strong competitive advantage. The discussion brought together institutional and industry stakeholders, including Felipe Rincón (Mastercard), Gaelle Burkhart (The AES Company), Welby Leaman (Walmart), and Guillermo Foscarini (IDB Invest), along with Fabrizio Opertti (IDB). The session was moderated by Ambassador Andrés Durán.

Engagement with Government Authorities within the IDBPay Framework

On April 17, the event “High-Level Conversation on Rapid Payment Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean” was held at the IDB headquarters, with the participation of leaders from the region’s financial and economic sectors. Within this framework, ABD deepened its engagement with regional authorities by highlighting shared experiences, common challenges, and opportunities for public-private collaboration to advance modern payment systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.

ABD brings together more than 460 leading companies and associations from across the hemisphere. Its value goes far beyond simply convening stakeholders; it is about structuring sustained dialogue that enables private sector experience and expertise to be translated into concrete, practical, and actionable policy recommendations.

Fabrizio Opertti.
Manager of the Productivity, Trade and Innovation Sector at the IDB

BAC Credomatic, Crack the Code, Target and Global Sustainable Tourism Council

We welcome four new members who joined in recent months: BAC Credomatic, Crack the Code, Target, and Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). We celebrate the addition of these distinguished organizations to ABD, working together in strengthening the region’s development and growth.

What’s Next

ABD will focus on strengthening the delivery, institutional integration and implementation of its policy recommendations through a phased engagement strategy and expanded dissemination channels.

Efforts will prioritize visibility and stakeholder engagement through regional dialogues, high-level convenings, and government outreach, while also deepening collaboration with the IDB team to embed recommendations into operational initiatives.

Looking ahead, ABD will continue advancing knowledge generation on high-impact policy areas and enhancing implementation tools, including digital mechanisms to support monitoring and tracking of the recommendations. These efforts aim to maximize the adoption, operational integration and long-term impact of ABD’s agenda.

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