Ibero-American Summits: a space for dialogue, cooperation and solidarity.
The Ibero-American Summits are among the most important political forums and bring together the heads of state and government of the 22 countries of 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 biennially since then) with the aim of strengthening collaboration, addressing common challenges and promoting sustainable development in the region.
The Summits were first held in Guadalajara and Madrid in 1991 and 1992 respectively, in response to the political will of the member countries to formalise the historic link between Ibero-America and the Iberian Peninsula through dialogue, cooperation and solidarity.
Over the years, this mechanism has established itself as one of the privileged spaces in the region, fostering dialogue and cooperation on key issues such as the economy, education, the environment and human rights.
![1st Ibero-American Summit held in Guadalajara (Mexico) in July 1991. Photo: Manuel H. De León / EFE]()
1st 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 Santa Cruz de la Sierra Summit (Bolivia), the Ibero-American General Secretariat
(SEGIB) was launched in 2005 at the Salamanca Summit (Spain). Since then, it has programmed and coordinated the preparatory work for the Summits and has served as liaison between the 22 governments that make 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 projection, and to promote historical, cultural, social and economic ties between Ibero-American countries.
Enrique Iglesias was the first Ibero-American Secretary General, serving from 2005 to 2014. In February 2014, the Ibero-American foreign ministers appointed Rebeca Grynspan as 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
![14th Ibero-American Summit held in Cuenca (Ecuador) in November 2024. Photo: Javier Hernández (Nolsom) / MAUEC]()
14th Ibero-American Summit held in Cuenca (Ecuador) in November 2024. Photo: Javier Hernández (Nolsom) / MAUEC
Spain to host the Ibero-American Summit in 2026
Spain has assumed, by consensus of the entire Ibero-American Community, the mandate to host the 30th Ibero-American Summit in 2026 which will be 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 Ibero-America.
As the country holding the Secretariat Pro Tempore we are working, with commitment and responsibility, to realise the mandate we have received: to strengthen and consolidate the Community in order to project its strength in global geopolitics.