Overview

Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC, Spanish acronym CEPAL) was established in 1948 by resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council. Its headquarters is in Santiago, Chile. CEPAL’s purpose is to support economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean by promoting regional cooperation and strengthening economic ties among member states.

Mission and focus areas

CEPAL aims to foster equitable, sustainable development in the region through analysis, policy advice and technical cooperation. Its work covers economic development, social development and sustainable development. In economic development, CEPAL monitors macroeconomic policies, fiscal affairs, investment, trade and integration to support long-term growth and efficient resource allocation. On the social side, it analyses demographic trends, labour markets, poverty, social protection, education, health, inclusion and inequality — promoting human development based on rights. For sustainability and environment, CEPAL addresses climate change, natural resource management, biodiversity, circular economy and sustainable urban development, integrating social, economic and environmental dimensions. Cross-cutting themes include gender equity, planning for development and statistics, underpinning all its analytical work.

Structure and governance

CEPAL is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. Its central management operates from Santiago, Chile, with subregional headquarters in Mexico City (for Central America and the Caribbean) and Port-of-Spain (for the Caribbean). It also maintains national offices in several Latin American capitals and a liaison office in Washington, D.C., to facilitate cooperation and outreach. Internally, CEPAL is organised into multiple divisions and units — including divisions for economic development, social development, natural resources, sustainable development, production and productivity, gender affairs, statistics, trade and integration, population and more. This structure supports both research and technical cooperation, enabling CEPAL to respond to member-states’ needs.

Programs and offerings

CEPAL produces a wide array of research outputs, data tools and policy-oriented publications. Its flagship reports include the Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean — published annually since 1948 — which reviews macroeconomic trends, provides projections and assesses financing needs for development. It also issues periodic studies on trade, foreign direct investment, social issues, fiscal policy, climate change and sustainable development. On the data side, CEPAL offers statistical and analytical tools via its CEPALSTAT portal, along with other systems such as REDATAM for census and survey data, and tools for trade and economic integration analysis. Additionally, CEPAL organises regional forums, conferences, training workshops and technical-assistance programmes to support governments in planning, policy design and capacity building. Its integrated approach — combining rigorous research, open data, advisory support and capacity building — helps promote sustainable, inclusive development across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mandate and Mission

The secretariat of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC):

• Provides substantive secretariat services and documentation for the Commission and its subsidiary bodies;
• Undertakes studies, research and other support activities within the terms of reference of the Commission;
• Promotes economic and social development through regional and subregional cooperation and integration;
• Gathers, organizes, interprets and disseminates information and data relating to the economic and social development of the region;
• Provides advisory services to Governments at their request and plans, organizes and executes programmes of technical cooperation;
• Formulates and promotes development cooperation activities and projects of regional and subregional scope commensurate with the needs and priorities of the region and acts as an executing agency for such projects;
• Organizes conferences and intergovernmental and expert group meetings and sponsors training workshops, symposia and seminars;
• Assists in bringing a regional perspective to global problems and forums and introduces global concerns at the regional and subregional levels;
• Coordinates ECLAC activities with those of the major departments and offices at United Nations Headquarters, specialized agencies and intergovernmental organizations with a view to avoiding duplication and ensuring complementarity in the exchange of information.