As part of his first official visit to the UK, H.E. Iván Duque Márquez, President of Colombia, gave a Canning Lecture on Monday 17th June in London.
After welcoming words from Lord Mountevans, Canning House Honorary President, Mark Menzies MP, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Argentina, Colombia, Chile & Peru, introduced the President, affirming the UK government's commitment to continue strengthening trade relations with Colombia.
President Duque's lecture highlighted how rule of law and entrepreneurship are essentially interconnected, and fundamental in order to build a fair and open society. While noting that Colombia faces a number of challenges, President Duque pointed to the many opportunities opening up in the country, and the progress the government has made in just 10 months since being elected to tackle poverty, boost innovation in diverse sectors, and promote sustainable development.