The EU-LAC Forum took place July 13 – 14 in Brussels and was envisaged ahead of the EU-CELAC summit. The overall objective of the Forum was to have an inclusive exchange with non-state actors and to discuss opportunities to build a sustainable and inclusive future for both regions.
"Collaboration and active involvement of all stakeholders including youth are the keys to unlocking the power of a green and just transition", said Riccardo Magini, expert leading the Euroclima Secretariat. Euroclima took an active role in exchanging with different civil society actors and the experts part of the technical assistance emphasised in the nature of demand-driven and people-centred approach of this new phase of the Programme.
A space in the exhibition area was designed to the Programme and other three ongoing EU initiatives in the region that are framed within the green partnerships under the Global Gateway umbrella - AL-INVEST Verde, Amazonia+ and LACIF - José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain visited the stand and exchanged with the experts.
Euroclima organised the “Climate skills in the framework of Energy Transitions”, side event. Elsa Velasco, FIIAPP coordinator for Euroclima and keynote speaker of the side event, said that the energy transition must be the vehicle to reduce social and economic gaps, guaranteeing that the benefits are shared equitably. She mentioned that this implies taking into consideration the most vulnerable groups such as youth, indigenous communities or women, facilitating their full participation in decision-making. In this sense, Velasco said that the EU Global Gateway strategy is so vital since it includes the three fundamental pillars: research, education and action for climate empowerment.
Marjorie Michel, AFD coordinator for Euroclima and keynote speaker of the side event outlined that the just energy transition implies the adoption of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of the economy and that it places a special emphasis on social equity and the inclusion of vulnerable communities. Michel reaffirmed that the Euroclima Programme plays an important role in promoting climate competence in the energy transition.
The Programme also organised the side event “Innovative eco-business solutions: Connecting local communities with sustainable start-ups in the Brazilian Amazon” part of an Euroclima project implemented by GIZ. The event highlighted the Action's significant contributions to tackle climate change and reducing biodiversity loss, while fostering just and socio-economic development of local communities in the Amazon. Through collaboration between community-based business models and start-ups, this initiative has led to the creation of fair and socio-environmentally responsible bioeconomy models, aligning with the needs and opportunities of local communities and promoting a more sustainable future for the Amazon.
"This has been a great opportunity to show the first phase of our action, and how this project seeks to create new synergies between startups, which have a greater experience with innovation, and community-based businesses, to develop solutions focused on these communities needs and organizations that are the basis of the productive chains of the Amazon", mentioned André Noronha project manager.
Euroclima also co-organised with Eurosocial, the side event “Women, youth and territory: Three key vectors for a fair and green transition”. “Climate change represents an existential crisis for young people because we are the ones who are going to experience its most disastrous effects. We have a very important voice and we have to be at all levels and decision-making spaces,” said José Daniel Rodríguez Orúe, Latin American coordinator for the World´s Youth for Climate Action Justice. Cecilia Alemany from UN Women said that ensuring a just green transition involves placing life at the centre and ending women´s unpaid work time.
The three events were recorded and a link will be shared by the organisers of the Forum.
EU-Latin America and the Caribbean Forum: Partners in Change