Office of the Spokesperson

On December 16, in Panama City, Panama, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez met Ministers of Trade and senior officials from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Panama—representing the Alliance for Development in Democracy (ADD)—along with key stakeholders from the ADD Business Council and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This meeting marked the third meeting of the U.S.-ADD Joint Consultative Dialogue on partnerships for economic growth and supply chain resilience.

The dialogue advanced commitments from the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between ADD countries and the United States, focusing on joint efforts with the private sector to strengthen regional supply chains, especially in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.  Participants defined ADD priorities for 2025 and identified actionable steps to deepen trade between the United States and ADD member countries. The dialogue underscored the ADD Business Council’s vital role in implementing these efforts. The IDB presented opportunities for regulatory harmonization between ADD countries and the United States, proposing a common framework to simplify processes and attract greater investment to the region.

ADD member countries reaffirmed their commitment to strategic coordination and collaboration in 2025. They pledged to implement concrete actions to improve the investment climate, support economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens through inclusive democracy.

To stay up to date, follow Under Secretary Fernandez on X:  @State_E, LinkedIn:  @State-E, and Facebook:  @StateDeptE. For further media information, please contact E_Communications@state.gov.