Paraguay is stepping onto the regional stage once again, this time, as the host of ALIDE 2026, the General Assembly of the Latin American Association of Development Financing Institutions. The event is set to take place in May 2026 in Asunción. It marks the return of this prestigious gathering to Paraguayan soil after a 15-year absence.
The announcement was made by César Vargas. The General Manager of Paraguay’s National Development Bank (BNF) announced it during an interview with Radio Nacional del Paraguay. The BNF will act as the organising body, welcoming more than 300 delegates from over 30 countries. The event will also include guests from Europe and Asia.
ALIDE, headquartered in Lima, Peru, is the leading platform for development banks and public finance institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Each year, its General Assembly provides a platform for strategic dialogue. There, financial leaders share solutions to common challenges, ranging from climate finance to inclusive growth.
Founded in 1968, ALIDE brings together development banks, multilateral lenders, and public finance institutions. The goal is to exchange knowledge and forge solutions tailored to Latin America’s unique challenges. Its mission goes beyond finance, promoting economic inclusion and regional integration. It also promotes sustainable development through cooperation among financial institutions and public policy leaders.
Impact of ALIDE in Paraguay
“The fact that Paraguay is hosting this event places us in the international spotlight,” Vargas said. “It reflects our commitment to development banking and opens the door to stronger partnerships across the region.”
Adding to Paraguay’s growing presence in this arena, Manuel Ochippinti – President of the BNF – has been named Director of ALIDE for the 2025-2027 period. His appointment arrives at a crucial time for development banking. Institutions are adapting to shifting economic pressures and require sustainable innovation.
The 2026 Assembly is expected to boost Asunción’s visibility not only as a conference destination but also as a regional financial hub. It is a clear vote of confidence in Paraguay’s ability to make meaningful contributions to Latin America’s development finance dialogue. Two months ago, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, following his meeting with President Peña and Finance Minister Carlos Fernández Valdovinos, announced that the World Bank would invest US$2 billion in Paraguay.
With preparations already underway, all eyes will be on Asunción next May as it welcomes the continent’s most influential financial voices.
