CAF and UNICEF partner to promote development opportunities for children and young people across Latin America and the Caribbean

NEW YORK, 25 September 2025 – At UNICEF headquarters during the 80^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, CAF – the development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean – announced the launch of LAC Future Bank, a new initiative that aims to mobilize US$5 billion over five years to reach 50 million children, adolescents, and young people in the region.

This historic initiative positions CAF as the first multilateral development bank aiming to implement UNICEF's Child-Lens Investing Framework (CLIF). The partnership will establish a transformative investment paradigm, ensuring that development projects within this initiative prioritize child well-being from inception to implementation.

The Latin American and Caribbean region is home to approximately 255 million children and young people – almost 45 per cent of whom are at risk due to poverty, while many face inequality and violence. This represents around 115 million children, adolescents, and young people who require immediate attention to safeguard their future.

"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," said Sergio Díaz-Granados, Executive President of CAF. "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."

"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," said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. "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 initiative aims to transform the approach to investments in children and youth across the region by creating new national and regional alliances that mobilize cross-sector partnerships involving governments, businesses, and philanthropists. The goal is to promote sustainable joint investments that benefit children and youth.

In addition to Child-Lens Investing, the initiative will focus on developing innovative financing solutions that deliver tangible results for children.

The launch event featured high-level officials, including Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados, and a high-level panel titled "Network of Allies for Children and Youth” discussed investment opportunities and strategic partnerships aimed at maximizing impact on future generations. Panelists included Cristina Lustemberg, Minister of Health of Uruguay; Pasi Hellman, Under-Secretary of State for Development Policy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland; Rwodah Al-Naimi, Director of Investment at Qatar Fund for Development; and Jorge García Lema, Manager of the US Representative Office of La Caixa Foundation.

Additionally, the voice of young Latin Americans was represented by Jose Adolfo Quisocala, the winner of the second Enrique García Leadership Award. He shared insights on the aspirations, needs, and potential of new generations, providing a direct perspective from the beneficiaries of this transformative initiative.

This initiative arises in the context of global funding cuts for aid and increasing challenges to universal child rights', placing an institution from the Global South at the forefront of child-focused investment. The commitment from CAF and UNICEF highlights the potential to develop innovative and sustainable solutions tailored for the region, establishing a model that other multilateral institutions around the world could emulate.

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Note for editors:

UNICEF’s collaboration with CAF is solely with respect to the implementation of the CLIF criteria in Partner’s internal investment process, and is neither acting as an investment adviser nor has had or will have any role in the design, structuring, development, management or operation of any fund or investments managed by CAF or its affiliates. CAF has sole responsibility for making investment decision for any investments it makes or funds that it manages. UNICEF has not endorsed CAF or its affiliates, its investment strategy or any funds managed by CAF or its affiliates, or any investments of these funds. UNICEF may withdraw at its discretion and at any time from any association with CAF or its affiliates and will have no liability in relation to investments made or funds managed by CAF or its affiliates.