In recent years, the finances of transnational organized crime and the expansion of various illicit economies have posed a growing threat to the security, institutional stability, and sustainable development of the countries of the Southern Cone of America. Activities such as drug trafficking, illegal mining, smuggling, product counterfeiting, human trafficking, and money laundering generate multi-billion dollar financial flows that fuel highly sophisticated criminal networks. These networks, in turn, severely impact local economies, undermine legitimate competition, reduce tax revenues, foster corruption, and weaken public trust in democratic institutions.

Transnational organized crime acts as a fundamental driver of the proliferation of illicit economies, using violence, corruption, and institutional capture as instruments to secure their influence and expand their operations. These criminal organizations quickly adapt to the opportunities offered by regulatory gaps, weak border controls, and economic inequalities, diversifying their activities and penetrating formal sectors of the economy. As a result, illicit economies have become deeply integrated and dynamic systems that challenge the capacity of States to confront them.

In this context, the regional event aims to facilitate a space for multisectoral dialogue in which leaders from the public and private sectors, representatives of civil society, academia, and international organizations can share experiences, identify common challenges, and build joint solutions. The aim is to highlight the growing problem of illicit economies and their links to transnational organized crime, as well as develop an action plan with concrete, viable, and rapidly implemented activities and proposals. This initiative aims to strengthen transparency, promote anti-corruption practices, reinforce the fight against illicit trade, and improve law enforcement, thus contributing to the protection of legal markets, institutional integrity, and social well-being in the region.