Assembly Calls for Urgent Action on Inequality, Climate and Gender Justice

In a call to action ahead of the United Nations General Assembly and the upcoming Summit of the Future, civil society organisations from the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region convened at the Regional Peoples’ Assembly on 17 September 2024. They demanded urgent measures to address deep-rooted economic, social, and environmental injustices. The assembly issued a declaration as the region prepares to host key international events, including the G20 Summit in Brazil and COP16 in Colombia, setting the stage for renewed focus on the region’s pressing challenges.

Download the Declaration of LAC Regional People’s Assembly 2024 in English

Download the Declaration of LAC Regional People’s Assembly 2024 in Spanish

A Call for Radical Economic Transformation

The Assembly advocates for radical economic reforms, urging governments to adopt policies that prioritize equitable resource distribution, reduce structural inequalities, and provide sustainable economic opportunities for all. The assembly highlights that the current economic systems have perpetuated inequality and failed to uplift marginalised communities.

“Governments must move away from the extractive model and ensure transparency in fiscal reforms through public debate,” the declaration states, emphasizing the need for progressive taxation and fair debt restructuring to address the region’s growing financial inequalities.

Addressing the Climate Crisis with Justice

As climate change-induced disasters intensify across the region, the Assembly’s declaration places climate justice at the forefront of its demands. It calls for immediate and concrete actions in line with the Paris Agreement, focusing on climate mitigation and adaptation strategies that center marginalised communities, particularly women.

The declaration also highlights the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to clean, community-managed renewable energy systems. “We urge the Global North to increase financial transfers to the Global South to address climate debts, ensuring democratic control over these resources,” the statement reads.

Moreover, the declaration urges countries to ratify the Escazú Agreement, a critical treaty aimed at protecting environmental defenders, as socio-environmental conflicts fueled by mega-projects and resource extraction continue to escalate.

Social Justice: Universal Social Protection Floors and Civil Society Participation

On the social front, the assembly demands the establishment of universal social protection floors, guaranteeing access to healthcare, education and employment opportunities for all. It also calls for governments to increase public spending on basic social services and ensure the full participation of civil society in decision-making processes.

The declaration underscores the need for policies that protect individuals throughout their life cycle and promote lifelong learning. “Social protection must be a universal right, with governments ensuring fair access to quality healthcare, education, and employment,” the document emphasizes.

Fighting for Gender Equality and an End to Gender-Based Violence

Recognizing the urgency of gender justice, the declaration calls for robust public policies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It also advocates for gender quotas in decision-making spaces and the provision of free, quality sexual and reproductive health services for all women.

“The time has come to guarantee the political participation of women and ensure their right to live free from violence and discrimination,” the declaration asserts, urging governments to allocate sufficient resources to gender-based violence prevention and support services.

Latin America at the Crossroads of Global Leadership

With the region set to host critical international meetings, including the 2025 COP30 in the Amazon/Brazil and the Amazon Summit in Colombia, the Assembly is positioning Latin America and the Caribbean as key players in the global fight for justice. The assembly’s demands reflect the urgent need for a unified and decisive approach to tackle the interconnected crises of inequality, climate change, and social justice.

Call for Action

The declaration concludes with a resounding call to action for governments, international organisations, and civil society to work together in creating just, equitable and peaceful societies. “It is imperative that we act with urgency and coherence to build a just future for all people in Latin America and the Caribbean,” the assembly declares, urging decision-makers to heed the voices of the region’s most vulnerable and marginalised communities.

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