Experiences of the European Union with Latin America

Building on long-standing relations, solid historical, cultural and economic ties, Regional EU development cooperation with Latin America is based on bi-regional dialogue in particular through bi-annual Summits of Heads of State and Governments and subsequent political Declarations. Download

Over recent years, significant progress has been made in Latin America region where many countries reached a middle income status, despite the fact that severe in- equalities remain, very often linked to significant levels of poverty. The EU is committed to cooperating with La- tin American countries to contribute to tackling the challenges related to eventually eradicating poverty and fighting against social inequalities. This is at the heart of the EU development policy.

Latin America is highly prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to climate change. One of the greatest challenges faced by the region is the sustainable management of its rich and economically important natural resources. While most Latin American development is based upon the region’s natural resources, the effects of climate change are increasing visible, with substantial and in many cases irreversible effects on economic activities, populations and ecosystems. Vulnerable segments of the population will be hit earliest and hardest. Environmental degradation is evident and has a direct impact on the region’s sustainable development, and consequences for socio-economic development and the populations’ wellbeing.

Latin American governments are already active and willing to address the effects of climate change; be it at mitigation or at adaptation. The support provided by

the EU on climate change issues is widely acknowledged, leading to the substantial sharing of both experience and technical expertise.

Since 1994, the EU has contributed with more than EUR 1 billion for regional (continental) cooperation to Latin America in a number of programmes of cooperation.

Since 2008, environment, climate change and sustainable development have risen higher in the bi-regional agenda following the Summit of Heads of State and Governments held in Lima, Peru. Available funds for cooperation on these key themes increased substantially throughout the years since the launch of the EU EURO- CLIMA programme, in 2010, which aims at facilitating the integration of climate change strategies into public policies and their implementation, in Latin America.

The 2014-2020 Multiannual Indicative Regional (continental) Programme for Latin America aims, amongst other things, to foster environmentally sustainable development and to improve countries’ capacity to cope with climate change and natural disasters. At a crucial moment in the international agenda, when significant summits addressing climate change are taking place, the EU confirms, once again, its will to continue and foster the cooperation with Latin America on these issues.

This publication illustrates some of the results and out- comes of the EU Regional programmes for Latin America in the fields of climate change, renewable energies and water. 

Jolita Butkeviciene

Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.