From September 21 to 25, 2026, Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean actively participated in the events of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) and Climate Week in New York. The regional delegation was made up of Damiana Lanusse, advocacy coordinator of Cáritas Latin America and the Caribbean, who worked closely with delegations from Cáritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Cordaid, the CANLA network and the interreligious alliance Religions for Peace.

This strategic participation made it possible to accompany with special emphasis the multilateral debates on climate adaptation, human mobility, community resilience and the rights of refugees and migrants. The beginning of the activities took place within the framework of a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, followed by a reception organized by the Permanent Observation Mission of the Holy See to the UN.

Bringing the cries of the territories to the global forum

The presence of Caritas Latin America and the Caribbean in New York had a double purpose: to make the impact visible. direct impact suffered by local communities and influence the design of global agendas in the face of major moments of change in international governance.

Lanusse summarized what Cáritas' participation was:

We participate to make the voices of the communities affected by these crises heard and strengthen alliances with key actors. Furthermore, being the year before the first General Assembly where the new Secretary General of the UN will present his program in 2027, we continue the agendas that we have been working on such as human mobility and socio-environmental justice.

Human mobility and climate resilience: Two intertwined agendas

Throughout the week, the delegation's agenda covered a series of multilateral meetings, dialogues high-level and collaborative and interfaith work spaces, with a focus on the fundamental role of faith-based organizations in international diplomacy and just transition, underscoring the urgency of integrating people displaced by climate change as decision makers in National Adaptation Plans.

Likewise, the debates promoted the urgency of strengthening local food systems and supporting small farmers in the face of land concentration and environmental crises. In terms of international protection, the ecclesiastical network joined forces to defend the principle of non-refoulement, reject the criminalization of humanitarian aid and reaffirm the moral duty to welcome migrants and refugees with dignity. main multilateral scenarios. In a regional context characterized by climate vulnerability, forced displacement and the financing gap for development, Cáritas LAC consolidates its leadership as a bridge between the region's territorial claims and international policy decisions.