On 16 July 2026, representatives from international organizations, governments, financial institutions and cooperatives gathered virtually for an international webinar on the role of remittances in strengthening economic resilience, financial inclusion, youth employment and sustainable rural development across Latin America.
The event, held under the framework of the International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR 2026), was organised by the Office of Senator María José Pizarro Rodríguez of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia and the Instituto de Pensamiento Progresista (IPP Colombia).
The webinar, titled “Maximizing the Potential of Remittances to Strengthen Economic Resilience, Financial Inclusion, Youth Employment and Sustainable Rural Development in Latin America: The Role of Public Policies,” brought together voices from across the remittance ecosystem to discuss how remittances can drive economic resilience and co-development in the region.
In a recorded institutional message, IFAD President Álvaro Lario highlighted the potential of remittances to be more than a simple transfer, underscoring their capacity to create economic opportunities for the families who receive them and marking the significance of IDFR 2026 for the region.
Pedro de Vasconcelos, Manager of IFAD’s Financing Facility for Remittances (FFR), delivered the keynote address, framing remittances as a driver of sustainable development.
The webinar also brought together a wide range of institutional voices, including representatives from GIZ, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mastercard, Colombia’s Ministry of Finance, and Fundación Confiar, alongside Kondiaronk International.