Former President Leonel Fernández was in New York City for the “VII Global Forum on Latin America and the Caribbean” at Columbia University on 21, 22 and 23 September 2025. The event ran parallel to activities programmed for visiting missions from around the world to the 80th United Nations General Assembly.
The Columbia University event is aimed towards academics and figures working in the region’s political, economic and social fields. Former President Leonel Fernández, also president of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (Funglode), and the runner-up Fuerza del Pueblo political party, led several sessions with the participation of prominent political leaders, academics, and representatives of international organizations.
US Congressman from New York’s 13th District, Dominican-born Adriano Espaillat participated. Dominican economist and graduate of Columbia University, Andy Dauhajre, also spoke at the event, Diario Libre reported.
Discussions for the seventh forum focused on the global and US economies, development prospects in Latin America, the political and democratic situations facing the 2025–2026 regional electoral cycle, the importance of the Latino vote in the US electoral processes, immigration and social integration, as well as the challenges of democracy in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
The program speakers included:
• Alicia Bárcena, Mexico Secretary of Foreign Affairs (she will be distinguished during the event).
• José Antonio Ocampo, Co-Director of the Economic and Political Development Program, Columbia University.
• José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC.
• Mauricio Cárdenas, former Colombian Minister of Finance and Energy.
• Albert Ramdin, Secretary General of the OAS.
• Adriano Espaillat, US Congressman from New York’s 13th District.
In addition, academics and international experts from such institutions as the United Nations, Georgetown University, Florida International University, Latino Victory, Columbia University, and the University of Alicante, Spain.
The event was broadcast live on Funglode and GFDD’s digital platforms, and will expand its reach to the entire international community interested in the present and future of Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Diario Libre
Global Forum Latin America and the Caribbean
Global Forum Latin America and the Caribbean
Columbia University
25 September 2025