[breaf information of the project in English (pdf)]

Message of Enrique V. Iglesias, Iberoamerican General Secretary, at the launch of the Iberoamerican Observatory of Asia-Pacific
May 2006

It is a fact that the world economic centre has turned to Asia and that this affects the vision we have of the future of our Iberoamerica. To analyse and value the advantages, challenges and opportunities that we have before us requires detailed, deep and continuous information of events and tendencies that take place in Asia and the Pacific towards the rest of the world. To be able to have an Iberoamerican Virtual Observatory, with modern tools of information technology to bring together the resulting knowledge of the networks of research, academic and experiences of companies is a tool that will make the path easier. And the fact that it is carried out in the surroundings of Casa Asia, an institution that has capitalized the knowledge on East Asia from an Iberoamerican perspective is still a guarantee and certainty of objectivity.

In the lastest years, from my post as President of the Iberoamerican Development Bank I have seen and taken part in the approach between Latin America and Asia and the Pacific, trying to deepen into mutual knowledge, as well as the continuous growth of the economic relation towards trade and, recently also very intense in investments. For example, together with the Asian Bank of Development, we have sponsored lectures and studies networks devoted to analysing the link, effects and interrelations among two regions intensely linked in global processes. But the impacts that the renewed incorporation of Chinese economy cause the world economic scenario –and particularly the Latin American scenario- have also been object of study. Moreover, I have closely seen the results of the Network of Latin American Studies on Asia-Pacific (REDEALAP) created through the office of INTAL in Buenos Aires, where a group of excellent researchers and of centres of studies of Latin American universities promote the analysis of Asian issues from the region, within economic, political and social fields.

On the other hand, in 2005, I had the honour to lead the last meeting of governors as President of the Bank in Okinawa, Japan, -member country of the Bank since 1976- and that finally counted on the integration of South Korea as the second Asian member in the directory of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Today, as the Iberoamerican General Secretary, I praise the intense and dynamic devotion process that the relation between Iberoamerica and East Asia has lately had and at SEGIB we would like to carry out a follow-up with a lot of attention and a proactive attitude. Moreover, we appreciate the important efforts and resources that Spain with its Action Plan 2005-2008 and Portugal with its specific institutions have made aiming at East Asia, without forgetting its link with Latin America.

In the Triangular perspective, Casa de América, together with Casa Asia has aimed at creating a natural bridge between the Latin American continent and the Asian world.

This is why we have created the support of the Iberoamerican Observatory of Asia-Pacific as a priority within the institutional collaboration agreement that SEGIB and Casa Asia hold actively within several fields. This understanding is a good beginning for the action of the Iberoamerican community to strengthen the relation with Asia and the Pacific from both profiles, Latin American and European, making use of new technologies of information and making easier communication and the approach of their people and culture.

It is now my turn to congratulate and stimulate Casa Asia and sponsors for the starting up of this Iberoamerican Observatory of Asia-Pacific, which we hope will maintain a narrow contact between institutions and people interested in this issue.

Message of Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain
May 2006

In a world context where Asia is looked at more and more as a future centre of gravity, and especially at China and India as new powers, it seems essential for the rest of the countries to know this part of the world much better, even though it is still far away for the vast majority.

The Iberoamerican Community of Nations, strengthened by the obtaining of the Statute of Observer in the United Nations of the Iberoamerican Conference and by the recent creation of the Iberoamerican General Department with headquarters in Madrid, cannot be out of this process of approach to Asia, which also acquires more meaning if the important Asian communities resident in Iberoamerica are considered, such as those in Brazil and Peru, the Korean community in Argentina or the Chinese community in Cuba.

The approach to the area of Asia-Pacific, which is represented at APEC and is the economically most dynamic region of the world, is particularly important. Regarding this, the task of forums and organisms that link Iberoamerica to Asia-Pacific, such as the aforementioned APEC or FOCALAE, PECC or LAEBA, is very relevant and must be spread. The role of Japan has also been stood out, very active in cooperation with Latin America and the first Asian country promoter of a programme at the Iberoamerican Development Bank. Moreover, for a suitable comprehension of this approach the multiplicity of bilateral intercontinental agreements, processes of Asian, European and Latin American regional integration must be taken into account and the different ways of approach among these regions.

The increase of trade and investment between Asia and Latin America, caused mainly by the great demand and growth of China, is very relevant in economic terms –trade and investment are the supports of the growth of many countries in development-, but it also opens great possibilities of “cooperation South-South” in all fields. However, the attention can not only be focused on great Asian economies. Even if Japan has had an economic leadership for years, and China and India keep for the attention as great opportunities –or as threats-, the fact that links among different countries of both regions have great development possibilities and that there could be an important exchange of experiences among nations with similar realities must also be taken into account.

Within this framework, a tool such as the Iberoamerican Observatory of Asia-Pacific, which contributes to Iberoamerican countries knowing better the region of Asia-Pacific mainly in economic, business and academic fields, will be very useful. These fields, even if they are not the only ones, seem fundamental to advance in an effective mutual knowledge that contributes to the development of Iberoamerican countries and to improve their international projection.

I welcome this important initiative of Casa Asia, and I appreciate in the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain the support received from Fundación ICO, BBVA and Garrigues Abogados, as well as the collaboration of Iberoamerican participating centres in this project.