At Mapfre, we believe in the value of forums that bring institutions, companies, and countries closer together, especially when it comes to further strengthening a bond as important as the one that unites all of Ibero-America.

Fostering business dialogue at the Ibero-American Business Meeting

The 16th Ibero-American Business Meeting, organized by the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB) , and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), has brought together business leaders, institutional representatives, and public officials in Madrid to address some of the main economic challenges of Ibero-America.


The 16th Ibero-American Business Meeting, organized by the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), the Ibero-American Business Council (CEIB), and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE), brought together business leaders, institutional representatives, and public officials in Madrid to address some of the most pressing economic challenges facing Ibero-America.

Under the theme “Ibero-America and the Challenges of the Global Economy: Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration”, the meeting provided an opportunity to examine key issues such as productive transformation, innovation, economic integration, and sustainable development.

Championing a more resilient Ibero-America

One of the highlights of our participation was the address by our Chairman, Antonio Huertas, at two sessions focused on resilience and disaster risk management.

In the first session, titled “Resilient Ibero-America: CAF’s Action in Disaster Risk Management and the Role of the Private Sector”, he conveyed an idea that is central to us: although natural hazards cannot be prevented, we can be better prepared to reduce their human, economic, and social impact.

On the second day, he expanded on this idea in a speech titled “Toward a More Resilient Ibero-America”, in which he argued that Latin America must turn its potential into real, sustained development, and that to do so, it must strengthen its capacity to anticipate, withstand, and recover from natural disasters.

Our experience in the region has taught us that resilience is not an abstract concept. It is a prerequisite for growth, stability, and confidence. When a disaster destroys infrastructure, businesses, homes, or public assets, it does more than create an immediate emergency. It can undermine a country’s economic and social development for years to come.

That is why we at Mapfre believe the time has come to move toward a genuine pre-arranged risk financing strategy. According to estimates by Mapfre Economics, the insurance protection gap in Latin America reached $334 billion at the end of 2025, a figure that shows just how under protected households, businesses, and economic assets remain.

Closing that gap is a priority. And doing so requires promoting solutions built on collaboration among institutions, countries, the private sector, and technology.

Advocating for an Ibero-American strategy to address natural disasters

Against this backdrop, we have stressed the need to advance an Ibero-American Strategy for Natural Disaster Response, grounded in resilience, insurance, and public-private partnerships to speed up recovery after a disaster.

We also believe the time has come to explore an Ibero-American Disaster Insurance Initiative, conceived as an open platform that makes it possible to anticipate the financial impact of emergencies and to mobilize insurance, reinsurance, and financial capacity before they occur.

This proposal is based on the report “Ibero-American Strategy for Natural Disaster Response”, promoted by CAF, the Ibero-American Business Foundation, and Mapfre, which SEGIB will make available to the countries taking part in the Summit.

As the leading insurer in Ibero-America, we want to place all our knowledge, experience, and capabilities at the service of this initiative. But we are convinced that a challenge of this magnitude can only be met through cooperation.

Also present at Dominican Week in Spain

Our participation in these days of Ibero-American activity in Madrid also included a prominent presence at Dominican Week in Spain 2026 (SEDE 2026), where we took part as an official sponsor.

At this forum, which focused on economic relations among the Dominican Republic, Spain, and the wider Ibero-American community, Andrés Mejía, CEO of Mapfre Dominicana, took part in a session on the ecosystem of free trade zones, logistics, and supply chains between Europe and the Americas. In his remarks, he highlighted the opportunities the Dominican Republic offers as a strategic hub between the two regions.

Reaffirming our commitment to Latin America

Our commitment to Latin America goes beyond business. In every country where we operate, we take part in the evolution of society and play an active role in economic growth and personal development. That is what drives us to participate in all kinds of high-level meetings and key forums where decisions can be made that positively shape a society’s public and private agendas.

We believe that Ibero-America needs more opportunities to come together, more cooperation, and more partnerships capable of turning shared challenges into concrete solutions. We also believe that Spain has an important role to play as a point of connection for the entire Ibero-American community.

That is why we will continue to promote dialogue, collaboration, and all initiatives that help build a more resilient Ibero-America.