Latitudes of Opportunity is a one-day forum to shape the future of Australia-Latin America engagement at a time of profound geopolitical change.

The forum will convene influential leaders from Australia and Latin America to unpack the emerging opportunities, confront shared challenges, set policy priorities and mobilise strategic actions to drive sustainable economic growth.

With the rise of the Global South and the energy transition imperative, Australia and Latin America share unique similarities that make our regions ripe for strong investment and collaboration. Both Australia and Latin America possess rich endowments in land, renewable energy inputs, agrifood, and minerals, as well as a shared First Nations heritage. These commonalities, combined with our historically solid trade and investment base, growing innovation linkages, technology cooperation, and robust education exchange, signal untapped potential and strategic opportunities that neither region can fully unlock alone.

Recognising the strategic importance of both regions to each other, this forum will act as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and future growth.

Why Attend

The forum will convene the organisations and leaders shaping Australia–Latin America engagement - bringing business leaders, global investors and government decision-makers together to forge connections, build partnerships and act on emerging opportunities.

Set the agenda: Shape trade, investment, and foreign policy priorities between Australia and Latin America.
Unlock trade & investment: Activate new bilateral and multilateral opportunities across energy, mining, agriculture, education, and other critical sectors.
Align policy and capital: bring government and business into closer alignment through focused dialogue and clear follow-through.
Demonstrate leadership: Position Australia and Latin America as partners in delivering solutions to shared global challenges.
Bring diverse voices to the table: Engage First Nations leaders, visiting dignitaries and high-growth entrepreneurs shaping the next phase of economic and social leadership.

Confirmed speakers include:

The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP | Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Assistant Minister for Immigration, Member for Kingsford Smith | Australian Government
Leigh Harrison | Executive Director, Head of Real Assets | Macquarie Group Limited
Germán Morales | President Australia Pacific and Sustainability | Orica
H.E Dianela Pi | Ambassador of Uruguay to Australia and Dean of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Embassies
The Hon. Bill Shorten | VC University of Canberra.
Daniel Boyer | Deputy Chief Executive Officer | Austrade
Prof. Jessica Gallagher | Deputy Vice-Chancellor, International and External Engagement | Adelaide University
Richard Andrews | Chairman Emeritus | Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC)
Kim Prior | Chief Executive Officer | Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC)
Stuart Gale | Managing Director / CEO | Meteoric Resources
Thiago A. Deiro | Chief Executive Officer | Volgren Australia Pty Ltd
Professor Rick Valenta | Institute Director Sustainable Minerals Institute | University of Queensland
Mary Raynes | Senior Markets Manager – Barley and Pulses | Grains Australia
Ed Mason | Chief Executive Officer | Jet Zero
Chris Carman | Co-Founder and CEO | Workinitiatives
Kirsty Galloway McLean | Executive Director | Pollination Foundation
David Messina | Chief Executive Officer | Rumin8
Julien Gastaldi | Chief Executive Officer | Maki Planet Systems
Neil Salisbury | Executive Chair | NatureCo
Stephen Durkin | Chief Executive Officer | AusIMM
Thiago Gimenez Barbosa | Director | Syntropic Solutions

Confirmed moderators include:

Jennifer Hewett | National Affairs Columnist | The Australian Financial Review
Chris Gibbs Stewart | Deputy Chair | Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)
Mara Bún | Chair, Investor, Advisor | Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

and many more to be announced soon

In a rapidly changing global trade and investment environment, the forum equips decision-makers with the insight, networks and strategic direction required to shape Australia–Latin America cooperation for the decades ahead, positioning it as a platform where future priorities are set, not simply discussed.

Attention
ALABC Members
To claim your discount rate, contact us at secretariat@alabc.com.au

Contact the host of Latitudes of Opportunity: Australia - Latin America Forum 2026