Distinguished guests, dear colleagues, and friends,

It is my great honor to stand before you today on this historic occasion — the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between ALPU and JICA.

I find myself deeply moved. To understand why, I must take you back twenty-eight years, to a small city in Hokkaido, Japan.

In 1998, in Obihiro, JICA hosted a training program on Land Readjustment for participants from Colombia. It was a modest beginning.

From those early days, the relationship grew steadily. Training expanded to the four Andean nations. Technical cooperation took root in Colombia, which became a regional hub for third-country training across Latin America. Year after year, a network took shape — built on trust and shared purpose.

Today, that network spans 15 countries and nearly 300 JICA alumni.

In February 2024, those alumni came together to found ALPU. In November 2024, JICA recognized ALPU’s contribution with the JICA International Cooperation Award.

Today — twenty-eight years after that first program in Obihiro — we formalize what has always, in spirit, already existed: a partnership between ALPU and JICA.

Latin America and Japan are separated by vast distance. And yet, across that ocean, our cooperation, exchange, and friendship have been maintained and rather strengthened.

I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to President Augusto Pinto, whose leadership and dedication have been indispensable. To all members and partners of ALPU — thank you for your trust and collaboration over so many years.

I also thank the Japanese colleagues who made this possible: Professor Kobayashi of Hokkaido University, Expert Kinoshita, Professor Shima, Expert Ochi, the staff of the City of Obihiro, and JICA Obihiro, who welcomed our Latin American colleagues at the very beginning. It is on the shoulders of all these individuals that we stand today.

Yamada san, Julian san, thank you very much for your understanding and great support.

As we sign this Memorandum, I hope it marks a new chapter — a foundation for deeper and broader collaboration between ALPU and JICA for years to come.

Today is truly a day for celebration. My warmest congratulations and profound thanks to each and every one of you.

Muchas gracias. ありがとうございました. Thank you.