Latin American Science Forum Marked Ten Years
The CILAC Forum has grown into a major platform for science and policy since its inception in 2016.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Cultural
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The Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean celebrated a decade of operation this year. Since the first edition in 2016, the event has transitioned into a permanent platform that connects researchers and policymakers across the region.
Why it matters
The forum aims to strengthen the links between science, technology, innovation, and public policy throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. By shifting to a permanent model, it maintains engagement through digital campaigns and virtual gatherings.
The forum has organized over 420 activities since its 2016 launch, drawing more than 16,000 in-person attendees. The #ScienceInMotion series has separately engaged more than 35,000 participants through its digital initiatives.
The players
UNESCO
This is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that leads the CILAC Forum.
CILAC Forum
This is the Open Science Forum for Latin America and the Caribbean which connects regional research and policy.
The details
The platform is led by UNESCO and a Regional Committee comprised of various regional institutions. Recent editions have expanded significantly, with the 2024 event in San Andrés Island hosting 3,300 in-person attendees and 2,400 online participants from 46 different countries.
Timeline
The first CILAC Forum was held in Montevideo in September 2016.
The 2018 forum occurred in Panama City.
The third forum was held as an online event in 2021.
The 2024 edition took place on San Andrés Island in Colombia.
The fifth CILAC Forum is scheduled for November 24-26, 2026, in Brasilia.
Industry Dynamics
The forum aligns with broader international trends toward regional science cooperation and the institutionalization of knowledge exchange. This evolution reflects a shift from periodic conferences to permanent, digital-first collaborative platforms in the academic sector.
Participants can engage with the platform through a mix of in-person summits and digital campaigns. Future attendees can track upcoming event registration and materials through the forum's evolving virtual presence.
The takeaway
The platform demonstrates how regional cooperation can evolve from temporary events into sustainable infrastructure. It offers a blueprint for other international fields to integrate digital engagement for long-term policy success.
What happens next
The fifth CILAC Forum is scheduled to take place in Brasilia from November 24 to November 26, 2026, with the agenda expected to be released in early October 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the ongoing impact of these initiatives on the Cultural section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
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