ECLAC Promotes the Energy Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Sixth Ministerial Meeting of the ECPA

During the sixth edition of the Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Alliance of the Americas (ECPA 2024), which had as its central theme “Renewable energies in the Americas: integration and innovation”, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) ) played an important role and articulated a strategic vision, focused on accelerating the transition towards an efficient and sustainable energy model in the region.

ECLAC led, together with OLADE and the Minister of Energy and Mines of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Antonio Almonte, the fourth plenary session of the ministerial meeting, titled “Energy transition, integration and adaptation in the Americas.” ECLAC promoted the vision of an integrated approach that ranges from public policy to investment in sustainable infrastructure and the adoption of innovative technologies. In this session, ECLAC, OLADE and the Government of the Dominican Republic launched a joint call to action to accelerate the energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean. This call highlights the need for a coordinated effort to transform the development model in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting the importance of four major areas of public policy: 1) strengthening the ecosystems of governance, institutions, regulatory frameworks and participation and cooperation public-private; 2) increase investment in access, transmission, distribution and interconnection infrastructure, innovation, and new technologies; 3) coordinate energy and productive development policies to promote value chains associated with the energy transition; 4) strengthen national and regional long-term energy planning, based on foresight that allows for more efficient management of energy supply and demand and investment needs.

In this session, the progress and next steps of ECLAC since the “ECLAC Communiqué in Panama 2022” were also presented. The efforts made since the Panama communiqué were detailed, including development of documents and technical assistance, and participatory development was promoted. of a regional energy transition agenda in the coming years. This regional agenda will be the result of a participatory and inclusive process that brings together the efforts on energy transition that governments, companies, civil society and international organizations have been developing. in LAC.

ECLAC also held a parallel event: Policy Dialogue: The energy transition, a transformative vector of the development model of Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting a high-level critical debate that made it possible to analyze the potential of the transition. energy and its related industries to transform the development model of the region. In this discussion, the challenges of public policy, governance, institutions and investment necessary to accelerate the development of the value chains of related industries were identified and discussed and strategies were encouraged to direct countries towards more sustainable and resilient practices in the sector. energetic.

The side event was consolidated as a strategic dialogue, highlighting the crucial role of inter-institutional coordination and public-private cooperation in advancing the energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean, sharing significant progress and challenges in the transition towards a model sustainable energy. The energy transition, ECLAC highlighted, is not only an environmental necessity but also a driver of economic and social transformation for the region. The importance of adopting renewable technologies, promoting initiatives such as green hydrogen and electromobility, and taking advantage of strategic minerals for an effective transition was emphasized.

ECLAC also participated in the plenary ministerial sessions along with other delegations from international organizations, as well as energy ministers from the region, international experts and representatives of business associations. The sessions highlighted important aspects to achieve the regional energy transition and sustainable development, such as the promotion of public-private dialogue, promotion of investments and the strengthening of regional cooperation mechanisms that contribute to national and regional efforts.

The active participation of ECLAC in the ECPA demonstrated the importance of a coordinated energy transition based on regional collaboration. The meeting reaffirmed the role of ECLAC as a key entity in promoting sustainable policies and strategies for the energy future of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The meeting culminated with a strong call to action by ECLAC and OLADE, addressed to governments, the private sector, development banks and international organizations, to promote a fair, inclusive and sustainable energy transition.