The Partner in an Accelerating Crisis

Latin America and the Caribbean have a population of some 600 million and a GDP of over 1.5 trillion dollars, about twice the size of ASEAN. They constitute an important place in the world both as a home to rich natural and mineral resources, as highlighted by the Amazon region, and as a world center of agricultural production. The region shares with Japan basic values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law and also is home to the largest Nikkei (Japanese emigrants and their descendants) community in the world, making an important partner for Japan in addressing common challenges.

The region generally enjoys high income levels. It is an advanced region in term of efforts that help achieve digital transformation (DX). Nevertheless, economic disparities are large among and within the 33 countries in the region. The region faces a number of challenges, including (1) political instability, including the exodus of Venezuelans in 2019 and the immigration issue in northern Central America; (2) an aging population; and (3) vulnerability to natural hazards, challenges facing Japan as well. The region is the hardest hit by COVID-19, where the death toll since 2020 accounts for some 30% of the global total.

Toward Innovation Promotion and “Co-creation”

JICA identified its operational focus areas for Latin America and the Caribbean as (1) infrastructure development for economic development; (2) disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate action; and (3) support for addressing urban environmental problems and reducing disparities. From a cross-sectoral perspective, JICA promotes cooperation that helps to achieve and expedite DX and innovation. It also works to strengthen the framework for cooperation and collaboration with startups that will lead DX and innovation. In addition, JICA takes advantage of its long-lasting partnership with the region to help fight the pandemic and works to shape and establish a new operational structure for post-COVID-19.

In fiscal 2020, JICA implemented projects in water and sanitation as well as in renewables under the framework for cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It also worked with the World Bank on DRR projects. Furthermore, JICA collaborated with the Central American Integration System (SICA) and other development partners in the region to address some of the region's common issues, including the environment, logistics, gender, and DRR. Other activities that JICA conducted during fiscal 2020 include (1) building an environment for co-creation for addressing social issues, including business-to-business partnerships between Japan and the region; (2) promoting cooperation with high profile think tanks, especially based in the United States; and (3) developing human resources that will lead countries in the region by taking advantage of JICA Chair and JICA's scholarship programs.

In fiscal 2020, JICA also offered many webinars and much on-line training on measures for coping with COVID-19 and on how to go on with development activities amid the pandemic. In addition, JICA extended support for Nikkei as well as other people in their local communities through Nikkei organizations.

Note : For Central America and the Caribbean, the above table lists only countries with program value of ¥100 million and over.