Ibero-American Summits: a space for dialogue, cooperation and solidarity.
Ibero-American Summits are one of the most important political forums, bringing together the Heads of State and Government from the 22 countries in the Ibero-American community: 19 Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Latin American nations, together with Spain, Portugal and Andorra.
The Heads of State and Government meet regularly (annually until 2014, and every two years thereafter) with the aim of strengthening collaboration, addressing common challenges, and promoting sustainable development in the region.
The meetings were born in Guadalajara and Madrid, with the founding Summits respectively in 1991 and 1992, as a response to the political will of the member countries to formalise the historical links between Ibero-America and the Iberian Peninsula through dialogue, cooperation and solidarity.
Over the years, this mechanism has became established as one of the privileged spaces in the region, promoting dialogue and cooperation on key issues such as the economy, education, the environment and human rights.
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First Ibero-American Summit held in Guadalajara (Mexico) in July 1991. Photo: Manuel H. De León / EFE
What is the Ibero-American General Secretariat?
Created in 2003, at the Summit of Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) began its journey in 2005 at the Salamanca Summit (Spain). Since then, it has scheduled and coordinated the preparatory work for the Summits and has served as a liaison between the 22 Governments making up the Ibero-American Community of Nations.
The main objectives of the Ibero-American General Secretariat are to strengthen the Ibero-American Community and ensure its international influence, and to promote historical, cultural, social and economic links between Ibero-American countries.
Enrique Iglesias was the first Ibero-American Secretary-General and held the position from 2005 to 2014. In February 2014, the Ibero-American foreign ministers appointed Rebeca Grynspan as the new Secretary-General and in 2022 she was succeeded by Andrés Allamand.
In addition to its headquarters in Madrid, the Ibero-American General Secretariat has three sub-regional offices in Ibero-American countries: in Mexico City, Montevideo and Lima.
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XXIX Ibero-American Summit held in Cuenca (Ecuador) in November 2024. Photo: Javier Hernández (Nolsom) / MFA
Spain to host the Ibero-American Summit in 2026
Spain has taken forward the mandate by consensus of the entire Ibero-American Community and will host the XXX Ibero-American Summit in 2026, on the 35th anniversary of the birth of the Community.
Since the first meeting held in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1991, Spain has played a fundamental role in the creation and development of the Ibero-American Summits, and has been a driving force behind this forum, committed to strengthening the historical, cultural and economic ties between Europe and Latin America.
As the country holding the Pro Tempore Secretariat, we are working, with commitment and responsibility, to implement the mandate received: to bolster and strengthen the Community in order to project its power in global geopolitics.