Latin America

Forum for East Asia Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC)

Membership

New Zealand is a member of the Forum for East Asia – Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC). In Spanish the acronym is FOCALAE.  Other members are:

Australia	Bolivia	Brazil
Brunei	Cambodia	Chile
China	Colombia	Costa Rica
Cuba	Ecuador	El Salvador
Guatemala	Indonesia	Japan
Korea	Laos	Malaysia
Mexico	Myanmar	Nicaragua
Panama	Paraguay	Peru
Philippines	Singapore	Thailand
Uruguay	Venezuela	Vietnam

 

Purpose

FEALAC exists to foster closer linkages and cooperation between East Asia and Latin America.  

The First Ministerial Meeting for FEALAC was held in Santiago Chile in March 2001.  This meeting agreed a “Framework Document” to form the basis for FEALAC activities.  The Framework establishes that “Closer linkages and cooperation between East Asia and Latin America will be mutually beneficial and contribute to both regional and international peace and stability”.  New Zealand is included in the East Asia regional caucus.  

It further notes that the purpose of FEALAC is to “promote better understanding, political dialogue and cooperation so as to achieve more effective and fruitful relations and closer cooperation between the two regions”, while undertaking to “avoid duplication with other existing forums”.

Structure

Based on the Framework, FEALAC has developed a structure operating at three levels below the umbrella of the Ministerial meetings.  

• At the first level, Senior Officials (SOMs) meet at regular intervals to provide ongoing coordination and guidance.  
• At the second level, three Working Groups have been established in the areas of
• (i) Science and Technology;
• (ii) Political and Cultural; and
• (iii) Economy and Society.

These Working Groups discuss and implement the cooperative projects that members undertake.

Further information

For more information contact the Americas Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade amer@mft.govt.nz

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