CAF celebrates the anniversary of the Euroamerica Foundation highlighting the potential of the green transition in the region

CAF, development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, participated in the 25th anniversary of the Euroamerica Foundation, held at Casa de América (Madrid). The event was attended by CAF's Corporate Vice President of Strategic Programming, Christian Asinelli, and Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, who participated in the panel discussion titled '1999-2024: Evolution of Relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. Future Challenges'. BBVA and the Abertis Foundation also participated in the anniversary, which concluded with an honorary speech by His Majesty King Felipe VI.

The event began with a welcome speech by León de la Torre, director of Casa de América, who emphasized the important work of the Euroamerica Foundation in building a better relationship and future for Latin America and Europe.

Ramón Jáuregui, president of the Euroamerica Foundation, acknowledged those who made the foundation's birth and evolution possible and highlighted the new phase in relations between Europe and Latin America since the EU-CELAC summit in July 2023. He emphasized progress in economic matters, green transition, and mutual dialogue and understanding, in an international context marked by an adverse and multipolar geopolitical situation.

After the welcome speeches, the inaugural address was delivered by Fernando Mariano Sampedro Marcos, Secretary of State for the European Union (EU). During his speech, he highlighted Spain's key role as a "natural bridge" between the two continents and its position as a "central actor" in strengthening relations between the EU and Latin America. Historical connections, the strong dedication of Spanish businesses, diplomatic relations, and collaborative development efforts characterize this position.

Next, the panel discussion titled “1999-2024: Evolution of Relations between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. Future Challenges” was held, introduced, and presented by José Ignacio Salafranca, First Vice President of the Euroamerica Foundation. Cristina Lobillo, Director of the Energy Platform Task Force and International Relations at the European Commission's DG Energy, thanked the foundation for its relentless work during its first 25 years and highlighted Latin America's crucial role in the green transition, with significant potential for developing renewable energies, green hydrogen, and critical minerals for the energy transition.

Elena Salgado, President of the Abertis Foundation, emphasized the work of the Abertis Foundation in the areas of childhood and youth in Latin America, participating in programs with UNICEF to promote road safety focused on children and establishing a series of chairs at various Latin American universities to promote sustainable mobility.

During her speech, Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity at CAF, highlighted "the shift in perspective" in the relations between both regions over the past two decades. "The way the EU viewed Latin America has changed, and so has the way Latin America views Europe. But most importantly, the way Latin America and the Caribbean view themselves has changed, recognizing their role as a region of solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food security, and biodiversity loss." Montalvo also emphasized that the energy transition in the region must be a "just transition, with affordable access to energy and facilitating the transition of the agricultural sector," areas in which CAF is working with countries in the region. Additionally, she stressed the importance CAF places on regional integration and the need to promote a more inclusive ecosystem approach that considers the most vulnerable communities, especially indigenous and Afro-descendant populations.

Meanwhile, Eva Rubio, Head of Global Transaction Banking at BBVA, highlighted the power of "banking inclusion" and access to financial services in driving development and social transformation. In this regard, she noted that Latin America is the region that has shown the greatest growth in banking inclusion since the 1990s.
The event continued with a special address by Andrés Allamand, Ibero-American Secretary General, who emphasized "the role of a non-profit foundation that stimulates cooperation to strengthen, extend, and deepen EU-Latin America relations."

Finally, the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Euroamerica Foundation concluded with an honorary speech by H.M. King Felipe VI.