#CONEXIÓNVerde+ brings together more than 200 representatives from Europe and Latin America in Brussels to strengthen alliances and consolidate the legacy of AL-INVEST Verde
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More than 200 representatives from governments, business organisations, companies, international bodies and institutions from Latin America and the European Union took part in #CONEXIÓNVerde, the annual event of the AL-INVEST Verde programme, held in Brussels (Belgium) from 16 to 18 June. This edition, conceived as a closing event, focused on reflecting on the programme’s legacy and on strengthening the partnerships needed to ensure continuity of the results achieved in sustainability, innovation and economic development.
The event was structured around high‑level sessions, thematic panels and strategic dialogues aimed at consolidating lessons learned and fostering new synergies to sustain progress in the areas of employment, sustainable competitiveness and green transition in Latin America.
On the first day, 16 June, the parallel sessions focused on supporting the private sector and strengthening the public sector. On the second day, 17 June, a plenary session presented the programme’s results and legacy, as well as the challenges to be addressed, whilst recognising the key actors who contributed to its success. The third day, 18 June, was dedicated to several field visits designed to deepen participants’ understanding of European practices and strengthen networking among them.
During the plenary session, titled “The legacy of AL-INVEST Verde: from experience to continuity”, European Commission officials, government representatives and private-sector actors from Latin America, as well as the programme’s implementing organisations analysed the progress achieved and the role of bi-regional cooperation in driving the transition towards more sustainable, resilient and competitive production models.
The event was opened by Mr. Félix Fernández‑Shaw, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), who highlighted the importance of deepening the relationship between both regions: “It is a partnership that must continue to grow closer, as it brings together the sustainability values we would like to see reflected across the world.”
Government representatives from Latin American governments also took the floor. Mr Gustavo Giménez Fernández, Vice Minister for MSMEs at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay, underscored the need for “sustainability to be an entry point for our MSMEs, not a barrier”. Mr Jorge Luis Sáenz Rabanal, Vice Minister for Policy and Oversight of Agricultural Development at Peru’s Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI), stated that “for Peru, the sustainability of agro-export chains is a strategic priority” and emphasised that “the European Union is a key and strategic partner for the country.”
Mr René Vossen, Managing Director of sequa; Mr Francisco Tierraseca, Director of FIAP; and Mr Gianandrea Rossi, Executive Director of IILA, also spoke on behalf of the three institutions implementing the programme’s support to the private and public sectors. Mr. Vossen noted that “AL-INVEST Verde is not just a programme, but a partnership”, while Mr Tierraseca highlighted the programme’s support for “public policies with real impact in the countries we work with”. Mr Rossi underlined the challenge of “producing more and better while respecting the environment” and recalled that this agenda is fully integrated into IILA’s lines of work. These interventions reinforced the programme’s emphasis on institutional cooperation and the shared commitment to promoting sustainable production.
The presentation of the results was delivered by Mr Frank Summa, Director of the Private Sector Support component (sequa); Mr Emilio Calvo, Director of the Public Sector Support component (FIAP); and Mr Andrea Monaco, team leader of the programme at IILA. All outlined the programme’s main achievements and its contribution to sustainability, business competitiveness and public policies in Latin America.
The agenda also included strategic discussions on strengthening sustainable and innovative value chains, the use of digital tools to support sustainable production, and the potential to scale up the initiatives developed under the programme. Experts and representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay shared experiences related to traceability, certification, international trade, business sustainability and digital transformation.
Businesses, business organisations and international bodies also examined the challenges and opportunities of the green transition in the private sector, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the European Union and Latin America to accelerate the adoption of sustainable production models. Successful experiences developed under AL-INVEST Verde were presented, demonstrating concrete results in innovation, business strengthening and market access.
Participants agreed that the progress achieved over recent years provides a solid basis for moving towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable value chains. The plenary session concluded with a call to strengthen strategic alliances, expand cooperation spaces and ensure continuity of the initiatives promoted by AL-INVEST Verde beyond 2026
Significant results in sustainability and traceability in Latin America
In the area of private sector support, the programme has benefited more than 80,000 Latin American MSMEs through 71 projects carried out in 15 countries, promoting the adoption of sustainable practices, circular economy models, digitalisation and low-carbon production. It has also helped consolidate a network of more than 200 Latin American and European institutions, strengthening business cooperation and knowledge exchange to drive the green transition.
To date, more than 20,600 companies have adopted new sustainable business practices, and more than 12,100 MSMEs report savings in resources such as water, energy, fuel and materials. As job creation is one of the programme’s main objectives, nearly 20,000 green and digital jobs —50% of them for women— have been created or strengthened through the programme’s interventions.
In the area of public sector support, work has been carried out in nine Latin American countries to strengthen traceability systems, improve the management of production information, and facilitate adaptation to the new sustainability and deforestation-free requirements. Key results include the launch of nine public traceability platforms, the certification of 1,969 trainers, the geo-referencing and registration of 26,411 agricultural plots and the integration of 1.2 million hectares of forest plantations. In addition, 91,791 deforestation analyses linked to soy and cattle supply chains were carried out in Argentina, and 30,460 economic operators in Peru, Argentina and Ecuador were informed about the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the use of traceability platforms.
The programme also promoted 22 bi-regional dialogues around six strategic value chains, with the participation of 3,493 representatives from 38 countries and five EUDR authorities, consolidating spaces for exchange and cooperation between Latin America and the European Union to promote more sustainable and resilient agri-food chains.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy.
The programme works with the private sector, public administrations and intellectual property institutions to strengthen capacities, boost innovation, promote sustainable value chains and foster frameworks conducive to sustainable economic development in the region.
AL‑INVEST Verde is a key pillar of the Global Gateway strategy and exemplifies how the European Union translates its vision into concrete action through alliances that drive sustainable development and responsible economic growth in Latin America.
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