From July 7 to July 11, 2025, Barranquilla, Colombia, hosted the OECD Forum on Local Development, marking the first time the event was held in Latin America. The forum gathered experts and delegates from 38 countries to discuss key topics including employment, sustainable economy, education, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. Alejandro Char, mayor of Barranquilla, and Eduardo Verano, governor of Atlántico, highlighted the city's 17-year transformation as a backdrop for discussions on new drivers of local development. Ana María Aljure, city manager of Barranquilla, emphasized the importance of hiring local populations as an investment. The OECD recognized Colombia's advances in local development processes and the transformative role of successful local practices in regional growth. Significant financial commitments were announced during the forum, including a $150 million funding approval and a 50 billion Colombian pesos credit from Banco Popular to support Barranquilla's development plans. The event positioned Barranquilla as a global model of territorial leadership, showcasing its ability to integrate investment, sustainability, and governance at the local level. The forum concluded with positive assessments of its economic impact on the city and highlighted ongoing challenges and tasks for future development efforts.