CAF promotes knowledge to increase energy efficiency in Latin American cities

With the purpose of promoting sustainable and inclusive development in Mexico, CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, supports the initiative of the Secretaría de Energía (SENER) (Energy Secretariat) seeking to deepen the knowledge and understanding of the elements that are missing to increase energy efficiency in cities, as a key element for "intelligent" and sustainable cities.  

The CIEEC, organized by the Sener jointly with the support of several international agencies such as The World Bank, the Assistance Program for the Management of the Energy Sector (ESMAP), the Agencia Internacional de Energía (AIE) (International Energy Agency), the International Cooperation Alliance for Energy Efficiency (IPEEC), CAF, and the British Embassy in Mexico, will bring together high level participants from the local and federal governments, in addition to relevant actors from the national and international sector, in order to evaluate and understand the barriers and restrictions that need to be overcome, and identify practical and effective models for a sustainable use of energy to improve energy efficiency in the cities. In addition to providing non-reimbursable technical cooperation resources, CAF will participate with the presentation of its Energy Vice-president, Hamilton Moss, as a panelist in the conference. 

The objective of this meeting is to show and promote dialogue on practical financing mechanisms, transformational policies, and national programs aimed at supporting local governments to materialize initiatives that promote intelligent, efficient, and sustainable cities around the world, while developing a network of contacts and discovering new technology implementation and application models. 

The SENER, as an organization that guides the country's energy policy, works to guarantee a supply that is competitive, sufficient, high quality, economically feasible, and environmentally sustainable, as required for the development of the national life. In 2014, also with CAF's support, the SENER successfully carried out the first version of the International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Cities, with a participation of more than 250 authorities from international organizations and other relevant actors.  

At the same time, the Smart City Expo Puebla represents the most important meeting in Latin America on intelligent cities, bringing together the main institutions and personalities that lead urban change and transformation. The key event to share ideas and strategies when facing urban problems, providing solutions for development, sustainability, and social equity, will cover five thematic areas: sustainable cities, equitable cities, urban technologies and digital entrepreneurship, live and participative cities, and urban planning and mobility. 

Thus, CAF supports the institutional development of its member countries through programs, projects, and meetings that promote transformation and productive diversification, promote entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as generation of employment and knowledge that can model successful experiences and impacts on the development of public policies.