November 12, 2022.- In Beijing, the Dialogue on Education Cooperation between China and the Pacific Alliance (PA) countries was successfully held.

The event was organized with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), and included the participation of Dr. Liu Limin, president of CEAIE; Ms. Fu Bo, CEAIE Assistant Secretary General; Dr. Chen Dali, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Education of China; Mr. Sergio Narea, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. from the Chilean Embassy in China; Mr. José Francisco Díaz Ulloa, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. the Embassy of Colombia in China; Mrs. Erika Lizardo, business manager a.i. from the Embassy of Peru in China; and the Amb. of Mexico in China, Dr. Jesús Seade, as well as representatives of a large number of Chinese universities and PA member countries.

Dr. Liu Li Min, in his opening speech, stressed that educational cooperation is a very important issue.

For his part, Amb. Seade stressed that the progress, development, and innovation of specialized knowledge is only possible through programs that lay the foundation for the educational cooperation of excellence and for long term.

Sergio Narea pointed out that academic cooperation has been a priority for the PA from the beginning, and noted the importance of the event within the framework of the IV PA Cooperation Forum that was held on August 30 and 31 of this year.

Francisco Díaz Ulloa reiterated his commitment to strengthen exchange ties with China, and the common goal of making the PA known in multiple forums in that nation.

Finally, Erika Lizárraga invited to expand the mobility platforms of the PA youth and stressed that next year Peru, as President Pro Tempore of the PA, plans to continue with the dialogue and the ideas that were developed.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT PACIFIC ALLIANCE

November 7, 2022.- Within the framework of the Presidential Declaration signed in 2019 in line with the strategic vision of the Pacific Alliance (PA), in 2020 a Roadmap for the Sustainable Management of Plastics was developed, which identifies eight areas of action focused on regulation, good practices and public policies; innovation, research and business transformation; plastic waste management and recycling; circular economy; financing; education, information and citizen transformation; trade; and international cooperation.

At the initiative of the Mexico pro tempore presidency of the PA, the Technical Group for the Environment and Green Growth (GTMACV) organized a virtual workshop for dialogue and exchange of experiences with experts from the Finnish Ministry of the Environment on the subject of roadmaps on sustainable management of plastics and regulations on this matter.

This activity is the second conversation that the Technical Group has held with an Observer State of the integration mechanism, within the framework of the aforementioned roadmap, after the one held with Switzerland on October 29, 2020, during the then presidency pro tempore of Chile.

In their opening remarks, Annika Lindblom, Director of International and European Union Affairs at the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, and Constance Nalegach, Head of the Office of International Affairs at the Chilean Ministry of the Environment and Coordinator of the GTMACV, highlighted the global problem of plastic pollution and the need to achieve joint solutions in this matter, including through existing international mechanisms and new initiatives to deal with this challenge.

The workshop included presentations on Finland’s “Plastic Roadmap” and the PA’s Sustainable Plastics Management Roadmap, including the development of these instruments, definition of goals and regulatory progress by both parties, in addition to international cooperation in different instances, among other matters. After the presentations, there was a space for consultations and the potential for existing cooperation between Finland and the Pacific Alliance in this matter.

November 7, 2022.- The ambassadors of the Pacific Alliance in Poland held a working meeting at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, five state agencies in economic and commercial matters, and two chambers of commerce, with a view to intensify exchanges.

In the meeting, Aleksander Siemaszko, Deputy Director of the Department for Trade and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology of Poland, highlighted that the resumption of this dialogue is an opportunity to advance in the internationalization of Polish companies beyond the European Union.

On the other hand, the Pacific Alliance was presented in general, as well as the cooperation projects with Observer States that were presented at the IV PA Cooperation Forum.

The attendees agreed to follow up on specific projects of mutual interest, including topics such as the digital transition of SMEs and academic cooperation.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT PACIFIC ALLIANCE

October 22, 2022.- On October 20, the VII Pacific Alliance Youth Meeting was inaugurated in Mexico City, under the theme CREATORS OF CHANGE. The forum, organized by Nestlé, in cooperation with the PA, facilitates the space for dialogue and exchange of experiences and seeks to increase cooperation and job placement, in order to contribute to the productivity and competitiveness of the four countries.

On this occasion, for the first time, the Youth Meeting is being held in a hybrid format, with the participation of more than 200,000 young people from different countries.

Representatives of the High Level Group of the four member countries participated in the inauguration. José Miguel Ahumada, Undersecretary of International Economic Relations of Chile, invited young people not to fear failing and always act consistently, regardless of adversity. He also stressed that people’s spirit of curiosity brings the necessary changes to society.

Marcelo Ebrard, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, pointed out that “investing in young people, listening to young people, trusting young people is the best thing we can do.” The Mexican Foreign Minister added that “the Pacific Alliance is strong, because it has a common vision, and part of that vision, an important dimension, is listening to young people” because that is what gives it strength and vitality.

Likewise, Ana Cecilia Gervasi Díaz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, invited young people to be persevering and optimistic. On behalf of Colombia, the Minister of Commerce, Germán Umaña, participated.

During the second day of activities, among others, the panel “International mobility: the young route” was held in order to publicize the student mobility opportunities offered by the PA countries within the framework of their scholarship program. #JóvenesCREA

The Meeting has been held since 2016 in the Pacific Alliance, as a result of Nestlé’s global program “Initiative for Youth”, with the aim of strengthening this cooperation to promote employability, mobility and provide tools for young people.

October 20, 2022.- The pro tempore presidency of Mexico before the Pacific Alliance held the XXVI Meeting of the Council of Ministers, made up of the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, with a view to the XVII Summit of the mechanism.

As part of the meeting, the issues of process of accession of Costa Rica and Ecuador were taken up again, during which the members of the mechanism agreed to establish preparatory working groups for the incorporation of these countries as soon as possible into the mechanism. At this juncture, the Council of Ministers received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica, Arnoldo André Tinoco, as well as Juan Carlos Holguín, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Julio José Prado, Minister of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries of Ecuador to share their request to join the Pacific Alliance as Member States with full rights.

As part of the resolutions adopted, the requests of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Malta as Observer States of the mechanism were unanimously accepted.

Finally, the logistical and substantive aspects of the XVII Summit of the Pacific Alliance that Mexico will host in its capacity as pro tempore presidency, in Oaxaca, Mexico, on November 25, were reviewed.

The Pacific Alliance represents 42.9% of the Gross Domestic Product and 45% of the foreign direct investment flows received in Latin America and the Caribbean.

October 19, 2022.- The Pacific Alliance countries have a strong presence at the Global Food Marketplace (Salon International de l’alimentation, SIAL), the world’s largest French professional fair in the innovation of the food processing industry. SIAL visitors will have access to the best products of the Pacific Alliance, the result of best practices in the agri-food sector.

Chile

The Chilean food industry arrives strongly at the new edition of SIAL to reaffirm its commitments and defend its position on the international stage. Chile, the world’s leading exporter of products such as plums, dehydrated apples, walnuts and salmon, presents its progress and ambitions for the sustainable transformation of its food sector.

By highlighting a selection of exclusive products obtained from production that respects the environment, Chile wants to make its plot of land known and demonstrate that responsible consumption can also include products from the most remote places on the planet. With 33 companies distributed in 3 pavilions and covering 614 square meters, Chile will be present with a variety of products of origin, gourmet, delicatessen, dried and dehydrated fruits and meat products.

Colombia

At SIAL 2022, Colombia presents 11 companies of nuts, vegetable flours, processed fruits, IQF frozen avocado, beverages, healthy snacks and meats in its two pavilions. Colombia is recognized as a supplier by being the world’s leading producer and exporter of mild coffee, the world’s second largest producer of avocado (including all varieties), and the world’s leading exporter of fresh tilapia. Also, the country has more than 400 varieties of fruit. Colombia is called to be one of the world’s food pantries, according to the FAO.

The agro-industrial sector represents 51% of Colombian non-mining-energy exports to the world. Europe is positioned as the second destination for these exports, which are concentrated mainly in the following sectors: green coffee, fresh flowers, bananas, palm oil, coffee derivatives and fresh fruits. Additionally, in Colombia, producers and exporters are committed to sustainability, betting on certifications such as Rainforest Alliance, Global G.A.P., Fairtrade, Organic, Fair for Life, among others.

Mexico

The Mexican agri-food industry, committed to sustainable production practices, is present at SIAL with 44 companies, present in the gourmet, fruit and vegetable, beverage and organic products sector. World agri-food leader in beer, avocado, tequila, tomato, cookies, asparagus and squash, and the third country with the largest number of certified organic producers, Mexico is synonymous with quality, authenticity and innovation.

Mexico is the 11th largest agricultural producer in the world and the seventh largest exporter of agricultural products thanks to its extensive network of trade agreements and high sanitary standards. Mexico presents top quality products at SIAL, such as flour and vegetable oils, healthy snacks, agave insulin, tequila, alcoholic beverages, meat products (chilorio, machaca), citrus derivatives, vanilla, sauces, chia, 100% virgin avocado oil, natural sweeteners, honey, grains, among others.

Peru

At SIAL 2022, Peru celebrates its position as the 9th world supplier of fruit and among the largest in the world of healthy foods such as quinoa and blueberries, products in which Peru leads world exports. In this edition, Peru will show its novelties and the best of its exportable offer through the 39 co-exhibitor companies, in a total of 473 m2 distributed in the fine food and frozen pavilions.

Andean grains stand out, such as quinoa, kiwicha, chia, beans, dehydrated products based on mango, ginger, aguaymanto; SUPERFOODS products such as maca, camu camu, sacha inchi, purple corn, turmeric, cocoa powder and nibs, lucuma as well as a range of fruit and frozen juice products made from asparagus, avocado, mango, strawberries, pomegranate, pineapples, pitahaya, among others. Peru is the world’s leading exporter of blueberries, quinoa, asparagus, and organic and fair trade coffee.

October 12, 2022.- The Coordination of the Technical Subgroup on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of the Pacific Alliance (SGT-MRV), through one of its representatives, Francisco Pinto, was invited to participate in the public session of the Council of the Chile-Canada Commission for Environmental Cooperation, held in Santiago de Chile.

The session included a master lecture on ‘Carbon pricing: one of the most effective and profitable tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean innovation’, given by Juan Pedro Searle, Head of Climate Change, Division of Energy and Environmental Studies and Policy of the Ministry of Energy of Chile and a presentation on ‘Carbon Pricing and Atmospheric Science’ by David Levy, member of the Joint Public Advisory Committee. The session had a broad panel discussion that included a representative from the Academy, Rodrigo Palma, Director of the Energy Center of the University of Chile; a representative from the private sector: Ana Lía Rojas, Executive Director of the Chilean Association of Renewable Energies and Storage, ACERA A.G.; a representative of civil society, Carolina Urmeneta, Director of the Circular Economy Program, Global Methane Hub, and; a representative from the regional perspective: Francisco Pinto, Coordinator of the Technical Subgroup on Monitoring, Reporting and Verification of the Pacific Alliance.

Addressing the regional perspective, and given the context of the session led by the governments of Chile and Canada, Francisco Pinto highlighted:

• Canada’s new technical and financial support package for the Pacific Alliance countries for CAD$4.5 million to strengthen their climate measurement, reporting and verification systems over the next four years (2022-2026).

• The recent experience and the challenges faced by Chile, Colombia and Mexico in the implementation of their first carbon price instruments, as well as Peru’s interest moving forward in the same lines.

• The constant interest of the countries of the Pacific Alliance to improve and sophisticate their measurement, reporting and verification systems associated with carbon price instruments, which are explicitly established in the coordination framework that guides the work and goals of the SGT- MRV.

In the following links you will find the inputs of the Public Session:

• Public Session Agenda – CCAEC

• Agenda – CCAEC – 20th Council Session – Public Session

• Master Lecture “Carbon price: one of the most effective and profitable tools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean innovation”

• JPAC Presentation “Carbon Pricing and Atmospheric Science”