A new Joint Communication, setting out a renewed agenda for relations between the European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), was launched on 7 June 2023.
This renewed agenda outlines the engagement of the EU towards this partnership under the EU Global Gateway strategy that will boost investments to accelerate a green and digital transition.
President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the role of the EU and LAC partnership, saying that it is more important than ever. Both regions are key allies, among other things, for facing together global challenges, such as the fight against climate change.
The EU and LAC are committed to protecting biodiversity, halting deforestation, promoting more circular economies, improving waste and water management, increasing resource productivity and tackling pollution, as well as working towards climate neutral, clean and nature-positive economies.
To meet these objectives, the Communication calls for a strengthened partnership on the green transition, including through increased dialogue, strengthening of regulatory frameworks and investments under Global Gateway.
The EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) will identify fair and digital investment opportunities in LAC, which will benefit from the open environment generated by trade and investment agreements, helping achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Investment Agenda will mobilise investments, amongst others, to renewable energy and green hydrogen, critical raw materials, decarbonization, and sustainable finance.
EU engagement in LAC through its green actions
There is significant potential for cooperation between the EU and LAC towards climate neutral, clean and nature-positive economies. The LAC region has unique potential in terms of biodiversity, natural resources, sustainable renewable energies, agricultural production and strategic critical raw materials.
The EU and its Member States demonstrate their commitment to climate and biodiversity action in LAC through a number of green regional programmes, and bilateral actions and partnerships. The EU is committed to spending at least 30% of its cooperation budget on climate and biodiversity initiatives in the LAC region.
AL-INVEST Verde
This initiative promotes sustainable growth and jobs creation in Latin America, by facilitating the implementation of sustainable production models. Its objective is to support the transition towards a low-carbon, resource efficient, and circular economy. The programme runs by three components that work with small Latin American businesses, public institutions in the region, and the management of intellectual property rights, respectively.
Amazon+
Amazonia+ will improve the capacity of the countries of the Amazon basin to mitigate CO2 emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change, and to significantly reduce forest degradation and improve the protection of their biodiversity. All this will be done in cooperation with indigenous peoples and local communities.
Euroclima
Euroclima is the Global Gateway initiative that facilitates the path of the EU and the Latin America and the Caribbean regions to lead the green and digital transition. It is the EU´s flagship Programme on climate action for over a decade. Euroclima is implemented in the 33 LAC countries and increases resilience to climate change of ecosystems and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, and indigenous populations through the implementation of demand-driven actions.
LACIF
LACIF is one of the European Union’s regional blending facilities. The purpose of LACIF is to leverage financing for key sectors that are essential for the achievement of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda in the LAC region. Blending is part of the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) toolbox and consists of using grant resources to leverage financing, such as loans and equity, with the aim of de-risking projects and making them bankable. LACIF aims to improve the sustainability of infrastructure, increase environmental protection, support climate change adaptation and mitigation, and promote equitable and sustainable socio-economic development and job creation in LAC.