Countries in the region lose, on average, 3.5% of GDP annually to respond to crime.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has proposed the creation of an Alliance for Security, Justice and Development with the region's Ministers of Security and Justice, in order to coordinate the implementation of public policies and the mobilization of resources to address, with a new approach, the challenges of organized crime to economic and social development.
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay have already indicated that they will join the Alliance proposed by the IDB. Ecuador has committed to assume the first presidency of the Alliance and the IDB will serve as technical secretary.
Through this Partnership, the IDB would provide financing, assistance, and technical advice to governments to scale up successful evidence-based interventions, launch pilot projects that test innovative solutions to prevent and respond to crime and violence, and strengthen institutional capacities, thereby amplifying regional experience and ensuring the sustainability of policies.
It will also seek to promote the mobilization of resources for the security and justice systems of countries. The Alliance would also complement the efforts of existing networks and platforms, fostering dialogue, cooperation and the exchange of knowledge between countries.
Crime and violence are an obstacle to development and economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to IDB estimates, countries in the region lose, on average, 3.5% of GDP annually, adding the lost human capital and public and private expenditures to respond to crime.
The Alliance seeks to contribute to mitigating widespread violence and thereby promote sustainable economic development as well as social cohesion.
The creation of this Alliance was proposed during the Regional Security Summit taking place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, this week. A second summit will be convened together with the Caribbean ministers in December 2025 in Barbados.
