CAF launches initiative to reach 50 million children and youth in Latin America and the Caribbeean
A US$5 billion initiative, adopting UNICEF’s Child-Lens Investing Framework, aims to prioritise child well-being and sustainable development
NEW YORK, 25 September 2025 – CAF – the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – has launched the LAC Future Bank, a US$5 billion initiative over five years aimed at reaching 50 million children, adolescents and young people across the region. The announcement was made at UNICEF Headquarters during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The initiative makes CAF the first multilateral development bank to adopt UNICEF’s Child-Lens Investing Framework (CLIF), ensuring that development projects prioritise children’s well-being from the planning stage through to implementation. By doing so, the initiative seeks to break cycles of poverty and inequality while promoting sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The launch featured a high-level panel titled “Network of Allies for Children and Youth”, which brought together government officials, development leaders, philanthropists and youth representatives. Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados participated, underlining the need for investment in children as a central element of regional development strategies. Other participants included Cristina Lustemberg, Minister of Health of Uruguay; Pasi Hellman, Under-Secretary of State for Development Policy, Finland; Fahad Hamad Hassan Al-Sulati, CEO of the Qatar Fund for Development; and Jorge García Lema, Manager of the US Representative Office of La Caixa Foundation.
Young people’s voices were represented by Jose Adolfo Quisocala, winner of the second Enrique García Leadership Award, who shared insights on the aspirations, needs, and potential of the next generation.
Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF, said:
"This initiative marks a significant commitment from the Global South to future generations. As a regional development bank, we recognize that investing in children and youth is not only a moral obligation but also the most cost-effective investment we can make for the sustainable development of our region. Evidence indicates that every dollar invested in early childhood development can yield returns between US$4 and US$16 in economic and social benefits. With this initiative, CAF reinforces its position as the leading regional investor in future generations."
Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director, said:
"In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 60 per cent of child-focused Sustainable Development Goals are off track. These efforts will strengthen access to essentials that children rely on for their health and development, including early childhood development, education and protection against violence and harm, while breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. UNICEF is committed to supporting this initiative, which places children at the centre of the investment decisions that shape their future and the future of generations to come."
The LAC Future Bank aims to transform how investments for children and youth are made across the region. By fostering national and regional alliances, mobilising cross-sector partnerships, and developing innovative financing solutions, the initiative seeks to deliver tangible, long-term results for children and young people.
The announcement comes amid global funding cuts for aid and increasing challenges to universal child rights, positioning institutions from the Global South at the forefront of child-focused investment.
