What does CELAC, a regional block, stand for?

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is a regional block of Latin American and Caribbean states, created on December 3, 2011 in Caracas, Venezuela. It was created with a commitment to regional integration, unity and carefully balancing political, economic, social and cultural diversity of the Latin America and the Caribbean of 650 million people. It is a regional block of 33 Latin American and Caribbean States.

During regional bloc's 6th Summit in Mexico on September 18, 2021, Countries of CELAC unanimously approved lines of action and proposals for Plan for Self-Sufficiency in health matters in Latin America and Caribbean for production and distribution of medicines, especially vaccines, in the region's countries and reducing external dependence.

CELAC was created to reduce the significant influence of the United States on the politics and economies of Latin America and also to countermeasure to potential Soviet influence in the region. Argentina assumes CELAC Presidency for the year 2022 with the aim to promote cooperation in areas related to climatic change, epidemiological emergencies, comprehensive disaster risk management, educational exchange, fight against corruption, food security, regional connectivity in transport and communications, the sustainable development goals of the 2030 agenda, gender equity, and the institutional strengthening of CELAC.