On July 23, representatives from leading research and technology organizations across Latin America and the Caribbean came together for the webinar Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) in Latin America and the Caribbean: Capabilities, Challenges, and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation. Organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the event explored how RTOs can contribute to strengthening productivity, innovation, and sustainable development across the region. The webinar provided a platform for participants to exchange institutional experiences and discuss the growing importance of international cooperation in strengthening research, innovation, and technology transfer capacities. A key message emerging from the discussion was the strategic role of RTOs as bridges connecting academia, industry, governments, and public policy to develop solutions with economic, social, and environmental impact.
WAITRO: Connecting Regional Innovation with Global Cooperation
During the panel discussion, Martha Liliana Marín, Executive Director of the Science and Technology Center of Antioquia (CTA) and WAITRO Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean, presented WAITRO as a global network connecting research and technology organizations to advance innovation, international collaboration, and solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With more than 190 member organizations in over 80 countries, WAITRO provides a platform for RTOs to exchange knowledge, develop partnerships, and connect regional innovation ecosystems with international networks. The network is supported by an international structure comprising its Secretariat in China, Operations Office in Germany, and five Regional Focal Points. WAITRO LAC, coordinated by CTA, is responsible for coordinating the network’s initiatives throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Marín also highlighted the upcoming WAITRO Summit 2026, which will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, under the theme From Ideas to Impact. The Summit will provide a platform for stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and research and technology organizations to strengthen partnerships and foster innovative solutions to global challenges related to sustainability, climate resilience, and the transition toward a more sustainable economy.
Regional Perspectives on Innovation and Cooperation
The discussion also featured perspectives from other organizations working to strengthen innovation ecosystems across the region. Janelle Castrellón, President of the Latin American Division of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) and Business Manager at the City of Knowledge Foundation in Panama, shared the Foundation’s experience in fostering research, innovation, and sustainable development through collaboration between universities, businesses, and government institutions. She highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening organizational competitiveness, developing new opportunities, and facilitating cooperation at both regional and international levels. The City of Knowledge Foundation works across areas including business development, sustainability, capacity building, innovation, and international cooperation. Alejandra Silva, Director of the University Policy and Management Program at the Inter-University Development Center (CINDA), presented the organization’s role as a non-profit international network of Ibero-American universities. CINDA promotes academic cooperation and the advancement of higher education through knowledge exchange, university policy development, internationalization, research, innovation, and quality assurance.
Building a Shared Agenda for Regional Innovation
The experiences shared during the webinar underscored the importance of international cooperation in strengthening the capabilities of RTOs across Latin America and the Caribbean. Knowledge exchange, networking, and strategic partnerships can help organizations expand their capacities while creating new pathways for innovation and technology transfer. For WAITRO, strengthening these connections is central to its mission of enabling research and technology organizations to collaborate across borders and contribute to sustainable development. As Latin America and the Caribbean navigate complex economic, social, and environmental challenges, RTOs have an important role to play in driving productive transformation and sustainable development. By strengthening regional capabilities and connecting local innovation ecosystems to global networks, organizations across the region can turn research and technology into tangible impact.
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