Ibero-American Summit closes in Ecuador without consensus

The 29th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government concluded in Cuenca, Ecuador, on Friday with a final declaration but without any consensus from all participating countries.

At a press conference, Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld said, “There is a declaration within the framework of the Summit, not within the Summit because there were different positions among some countries.”

All the delegations present, except Argentina, supported a document that includes agreements on gender equality, actions to fight climate change, promote the 2030 Agenda, and condemn the United States blockade against Cuba, among other issues.

The text, which was approved by 18 of 19 participating nations, condemns the enforcement of unilateral coercive measures that violate international law and the United Nations Charter, and hinder the ability of the States to address their needs and priorities.

The declaration also calls for an end to the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba and rejects the Caribbean country’s inclusion on the unilateral list of States Sponsors of Terrorism.

The head of Ecuadorian diplomacy noted that twenty other documents were adopted during the Summit.

On Friday, in the final session, Ecuador handed over the presidency pro tempore of the Ibero-American Secretariat to Spain.