With a record participation of 65 officials, directors and representatives from provincial and municipal governments of 20 Argentine provinces, the event concluded Fourth edition of the Executive Program “Internationalization as an Engine of Subnational Development”Organized by the Center for International Strategies of Governments and Organizations (CIG) of the School of Government of the Universidad Austral.
During three intensive days, participants worked on the main challenges and opportunities facing regions, provinces and cities to strengthen their international integration, attract investment, promote exports, develop innovation ecosystems and generate new opportunities for economic growth.
The 2026 edition had the broadest representation achieved to date by the program, with participants from twenty Argentine provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, consolidating itself as one of the main spaces for training and exchange for those responsible for international relations, productive development, investment promotion and international cooperation of subnational governments.
One of the distinctive features of this edition was the strong component of international linkThe participants held meetings and exchanges with representatives of the Embassies of the United States, Brazil, China and the European Unionas well as with specialists from Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.
The program brought together leading figures in internationalization, investment attraction, and territorial development. Participants included Mauricio Rodas, former Mayor of Quito and visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania; Francisco Estrázulas de Souza, Senior Specialist in the Integration and Trade Sector of the IDB; Sebastian Putzoli, CAF's Chief Executive; Fernando Oris de Roa, former Argentine Ambassador to the United States; Santiago Paz, Director of Ecolatina; Augusto Betta, specialist in investment promotion; Juan Usandivaras, expert in investment promotion agencies and fellow of the Center; Eduardo Almirantearena, Undersecretary of International and Institutional Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Nation; César Sánchez Casares, creator of the Study Buenos Aires program; and Luis Bullrich, specialist in urban innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The program was directed by Fernando Straface, Director of the CIG, and Francisco Resnicoff, Senior Fellow of the Center, and aimed to strengthen the capacities of provinces and cities to design and implement internationalization strategies focused on attracting investment, productive development, job creation and integration into global value chains.
Throughout its four editions, the Executive Program has established itself as a pioneering initiative in the training of territorial leaders for international action, promoting the exchange of experiences, the building of collaborative networks and the strengthening of strategic capacities for the development of Argentine provinces and cities.
