Ecuador will hold the first pro tempore presidency of the Alliance for Security, Justice and Development, promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Eighteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) today launched the Alliance for Security, Justice and Development, promoted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to combat organized crime.

The alliance will operate on three pillars: protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening security and justice institutions, and reducing illegal financial markets and flows. In this regard, it will promote evidence-based policies and concrete actions. These are the countries that joined the Alliance: Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.

“Organized crime operates across borders and requires bold, coordinated regional action. Better collaboration is essential to protect communities, strengthen institutions and capacities, and discourage illicit activities throughout the region,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn. “The Partnership for Security, Justice, and Development will enable us to forge strategic partnerships and mobilize essential resources to amplify the impact of our countries’ efforts to address organized crime.”

The alliance will be led by a steering committee and three technical working groups involving more than 20 countries. These groups are already making progress on specific initiatives such as reducing violence and trafficking in at-risk communities, improving security systems through technology and collaboration, and reducing illicit markets with advanced tools and coordination.

In addition, the alliance also includes the participation of at least eleven organizations, including the Organization of American States (OAS), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the World Bank, CAF (Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean), the Caribbean Development Bank, Caricom IMPACS, the Global Initiative against Transnational Crime (GI-TOC), the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), the Regional Security System (RSS), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Italian-Latin American Institute (IILA). These organizations officially joined the alliance, signaling a strengthened regional and global commitment and showing broad multi-sectoral support for this initiative. The Alliance is an initiative that continues to evolve and will continue to welcome new partners.

Ecuador will serve as the Alliance’s first pro tempore presidency. The IDB will act as Technical Secretariat, providing strategic support and contributing to resource mobilization and the scaling up of effective interventions. To support regional implementation, the Alliance will work through tailored mechanisms. In the Caribbean, it will operate through One Safe Caribbean, a vital arm of the IDB’s ONE Caribbean Program 2024-2028, ensuring streamlined processes and alignment with broader initiatives.

The Alliance was launched at the Regional Security and Justice Summit held in Bridgetown, Barbados, on 11-12 December.