The meeting reaffirmed both regions' commitment to cooperation, innovation, and inclusive digital transformation as strategic pillars of sustainable development.

This summit brought together heads of state and government from both regions under the joint presidency of António Costa, president of the European Council, and Gustavo Petro, pro tempore president of CELAC.

In his statement following the Summit, António Costa underlined the pivotal role of the European Global Gateway strategy and the BELLA II programme, implemented by RedCLARA with the support of the European Union, as a concrete example of digital cooperation between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He also announced a new package of initiatives to strengthen further bi-regional digital collaboration, including expanding the BELLA programme, satellite-based connectivity projects, and developing a supercomputing network linking the two regions to promote innovation, research, and technological partnerships.

Digital cooperation and meaningful connectivity

The Santa Marta Joint Declaration reaffirms both regions' commitment to a people-centred, open, and secure digital transformation. It promotes the development of ethical and trustworthy artificial intelligence, investment in digital infrastructure, and the strengthening of capacities across the region.

It also recognises the progress achieved through the EU–LAC Digital Alliance, which was launched in 2023 under the Global Gateway framework. This alliance includes initiatives such as the high-performance computing network and last-mile satellite connectivity, which are key areas in which the BELLA II programme plays a central role.

'BELLA II shows that cooperation can deliver concrete results: more connectivity, more shared knowledge, and more opportunities for our countries,' said Luis Eliécer Cadenas, Executive Director of RedCLARA.

Through new connectivity and technological collaboration projects, BELLA II is expanding to Central America and Peru, and continues to consolidate its role as a driver of digital cooperation between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Now in its third year of implementation, the programme is building an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem that broadens access to knowledge, strengthens research and education, and promotes regional integration and technological autonomy.