Pacific Alliance identifies areas for cooperation with ASEAN

As part of its participation in the 70th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Ministers of the Pacific Alliance met on Monday 28 with their counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to strengthen the link between the block with the Asia Pacific.

The first meeting took place in September 2014 at the last General Assembly of the United Nations. On that occasion a space for dialogue and mutual understanding was opened and a reflection on the possible topics and initiatives of an agenda for joint work between the Pacific Alliance and ASEAN began.

Also in May 2015 Ambassadors and Representatives of the Pacific Alliance and the Permanent Representatives Committee of ASEAN met in Jakarta, Indonesia to define the issues of the agenda of the initial work, such as energy and minerals, trade facilitation, innovation , logistics, infrastructure and SMEs.

On this occasion, the Ministers of the Pacific Alliance and ASEAN presented the advances that have obtained both integration mechanisms and agreed to promote closer economic cooperation to facilitate trade and investment flows between the two regions for mutual benefit .

In order to strengthen and implement cooperation between the two mechanisms, the ministers agreed to establish a working group composed of foreign relations of the Pacific Alliance and delegates of the Standing Committee of Representatives of ASEAN.

ASEAN is comprised of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. They are observer states of the Pacific Alliance Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Pacific Alliance holds workshop on e-commerce and gender

October 4, 2022.- Today, the workshop on e-commerce and gender was held in the Pacific Alliance, which delved into this topic. The hour and a half course was provided by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) as part of the support it provides to the Pacific Alliance.

The workshop, which was led by Alicia Frohmann and Ximena Olmos, ECLAC consultants, was attended by businesswomen and public sector officials from the Pacific Alliance countries.

As part of the workshop, a dialogue table was also held between two businesswomen and two representatives of agencies promoting our mechanism. Thus, we have the presence of Tatiana Arcila, from the company SOS Asistencia; with María Dolores Miguel Chávez, from Mixteca de mi Corazón; with Daniel Anteparra, from PromPerú, and Nicole Gómez Salazar, from ProChile.

Regarding the work within the Pacific Alliance, the general director of International Trade in Services and Investment of the Mexican Ministry of Economy, Cindy Rayo Zapata, explained the concept of the Regional Digital Market of the Pacific Alliance.

The purpose of this instrument is to promote an inclusive digital society, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, and close the digital gap of gender and age.

Today’s workshop is part of the work of the Pacific Alliance to implement the Presidential Declaration of the Pacific Alliance on the development of the Regional Digital Market and the drive towards digital transformation, and the roadmap that follows.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT PACIFIC ALLIANCE

Pacific Alliance holds webinar on data registration and interoperability

June 4, 2024.- On this day, staff from the Ministry of Social Development and Family of Chile held a virtual webinar on the institutional and regulatory framework of the Social Information Registry, the Social Household Registry (RSH) and an interoperable administrative data system, which they currently manage in Chile.

The activity, which is part of the year’s actions of the Technical Group for Development and Inclusion (GTDIS), was aimed at peers from the countries of the Pacific Alliance – Colombia, Mexico and Peru – and other friendly countries such as Ecuador and Brazil, as well as the countries that make up the Secretariat for Central American Social Integration (SISCA), with about 120 participants.

The speakers reported on tools for the identification and selection of users of social programs; administrative records; national-subnational articulation; computer design and equipment, among others. In addition to showing interoperability, which allows the RSH to operate in conjunction with other systems, facilitating the user’s purposes.

Reference was also made to the Social Information Registry (RIS), a database containing social, civil and economic information on families, households and individuals who may potentially be beneficiaries of social programs in the country.

Likewise, the nature of the RSH, an information system whose purpose is to support the selection processes of beneficiaries of a wide range of subsidies and social programs, was explained. This Registry is built with data provided by the household and administrative databases held by the State, from various State institutions, municipalities and other public and/or private entities that administer social benefits created by law.

In addition, the modality of Socioeconomic Qualification was explained, which places each household in an income bracket, which are ordered in 7 brackets according to their income and the relationship with the organic and link with the citizenship and management of applications.

The GTDIS will continue its Webinar Program in July 2024 with the following topics: National System for Evaluation and Monitoring of Social Programs; Poverty Measurement; Intersectoral System of Social Protection and Resilient Social Protection System and Local Social Management.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT 2024 PACIFIC ALLIANCE

Pacific Alliance holds public-private discussion on the roadmap for MSMEs and entrepreneurship

June 27, 2024. – This morning, in the framework of the International Day of MSMEs, the Technical Group of SMEs of the Pacific Alliance organized a discussion (in a hybrid way) on the Public-Private Roadmap for the Development of MSMEs and Entrepreneurship in the Pacific Alliance (PA) with the participation of authorities of the bloc, the PA Business Council, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), members of the TG of SMEs and representatives of MSME trade organizations from the four countries of the Pacific Alliance.

At the beginning of the activity, Marcela Otero, SUBREI’s Multilateral General Director and PA National Coordinator for Chile, pointed out that MSMEs play a crucial role in the economy of the bloc, “in fact, more than 90% of the companies in the four countries belong to this category. It is imperative to continue working on the development of policies that support them and establish regulations that facilitate intra-Alliance trade, thus creating opportunities to access new markets”.

She also highlighted that ”we have a great challenge as a bloc, which is to increase trade integration between our countries, considering that only 2.3% of Pacific Alliance exports go to our countries”.

Rodrigo Yáñez, secretary general of Sofofa and representative of the CEAP-Chile chapter, emphasized the importance of public-private coordination and highlighted the relevance of SMEs as a driver of job creation, as well as the need for them to have access to financing in order to scale up.

Next, the IDB representative, Rodrigo Contreras, as moderator, began the discussion with the presentation of the progress of the “Public-Private Roadmap for the Development of MSMEs and Entrepreneurship in the Pacific Alliance”, by the TG of SMEs, with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the main challenges and needs faced by MSMEs in the PA countries.

Subsequently, those present were asked to talk and discuss common short, medium and long-term objectives that are shared by both the public and private sectors, in order to create a shared vision and establish clear goals to guide joint efforts, promoting an effective alignment of interests and resources.

Finally, the creation of channels of communication and continuous coordination between the two sectors was discussed, facilitating ongoing collaboration and allowing for timely adjustments to ensure the success of the proposed roadmap.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT 2024 PACIFIC ALLIANCE

 

Pacific Alliance holds dialogue workshop with Finland on roadmaps for sustainable management of plastics and regulatory systems on this matter

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.

Pacific Alliance holds conference on sustainability in the meetings industry

July 31, 2024.- Yesterday, in the framework of the Pacific Alliance Tourism Cooperation Agreement, the Master Conference ‘The importance of sustainability in the Meetings Industry’ was held via telematic means, delivered by the four institutions responsible for the international promotion of tourism in the member countries of the Pacific Alliance (PA): Sernatur of Chile; ProColombia of Colombia, Sectur of Mexico; and PromPerú of Peru.

The event, which was attended by nearly 100 people, was open and aimed at industry players in the PA member countries -Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru- with an interest in sustainability to improve their processes and differentiate themselves in the market, adhering to practices that allow a balanced development between the environment, the community and the economic benefit, making it possible to preserve a better place to live for future generations.

At the beginning, Claudio Sances, leader of the MICE channel for the Pacific Alliance, representing Chile as PPT 2024, pointed out the relevance of this topic that came to complement the “Capacity Building Program for the Meetings Industry”, given previously. He added that this is an issue that transcends the borders of our peoples and it is strictly necessary to approach it from a holistic perspective.

The conference was given by Alejandra Hernández Zita, a specialist in sustainability for the meetings industry, a member of the Global Sustainable Destinations Movement, and the first Latin woman to join the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement) as a sustainability consultant, a leading international organization based in Europe.

The expert spoke about the problem of global warming and the vision that users and beneficiaries of this industry have about it, highlighting that the vast majority want to travel and make use of increasingly sustainable services. She presented the “Hannuwa” methodology to gather background information, transform the environment and control actions in the management of sustainable events, and cited world-class success stories such as SAP (ERP) and the TOP 40 MICE destinations index that adhere to sustainability.

She also highlighted the opportunities and strengths that the industry can develop and that sometimes respond to simple but innovative actions. On the other hand, she added that the negative practice of “green washing” (generating actions that seem sustainable but are not, with the aim of improving image) as an element that disfavors the real and genuine desire to enjoy of current users who are committed to the environment.

The conference concluded with a question and answer section where attendees were able to raise questions and concerns to the expert on macro and micro environmental matters.

COMMUNICATIONS PPT 2024 PACIFIC ALLIANCE

Pacific Alliance holds a meeting to learn about the strengths, opportunities and challenges of English language teaching and learning policies

November 20, 2024.- On November 18 and 19, within the framework of the face-to-face sessions of the Pacific Alliance English Network (RIAP), the Chilean coordination of the Technical Education Group (GTE) of the Pacific Alliance organized the meeting “Strengths, opportunities and challenges of the policies for teaching and learning English as a foreign language”, with the participation of the focal points of the Ministries of Education of the four RIAP member countries: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

Also participating in the meeting were authorities from the Chilean Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) and experts from its English Opens Doors Program (PIAP); members of the Chilean Research Network in English Language Teaching; and representatives from the embassies and institutes of some English-speaking countries that are Observer States of the Pacific Alliance and actively collaborate with RIAP.

During these RIAP days, the focal points were also able to present and explain in detail their respective programs and mechanisms for teaching and learning English, sharing best practices and generating sectoral integration links that are extremely useful for the technical teams in charge of this matter.

There was also an illustrative visit to a Chilean educational establishment, which included a special meeting for the exchange of experiences among networks of English teachers. In addition, various networking activities were carried out with strategic actors to take full advantage of the presence in Chile of the focal points of the member countries.

Communications PPT 2024 Pacific Alliance

Pacific Alliance holds a forum for leaders women

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Takes place in Lima, on 28-29 November.

It will include the participation of authorities, important personalities and women entrepreneurs from the member countries of the PA.

In order to strengthen abilities and reduce inequalities, the governments of the Pacific Alliance (PA) member countries, through their promotion agencies, ProChile, ProColombia, ProMéxico and PROMPERÚ, organize the second Pacific Alliance Leading Women Entrepreneurs 2016 forum.

The forum will address topics around the importance of the contribution of women to the reinforcement of social equity, as well as to the economic and social development of the member countries of the Pacific Alliance.

There will be two master lectures and three panels with representatives from the PA countries who will discuss the impact of women on global economy, financial inclusion, and the gender approach/perspective within a scope of future goals.

Additionally, Warmikuna (women, in Quechuan) talks will be held, where successful women will share their experiences and strategies in breaking the barriers they have had to face, as well as those skills that have proven to be invaluable to reach their goals.

A business roundtable will also be held on the second day of activities, with the participation of 30 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) led by women exporters and potential exporters, 20 buyers from the PA countries and 5 importers from Germany, Canada, United States, Panama and Taiwan.

Included in the program are four workshops for women entrepreneurs, which will deal with subjects related to women’s leadership and entrepreneurship, among others.

Gender in the Pacific Alliance

Gender is one among the many issues related to the lines of action that the Pacific Alliance must advance to fulfill the presidential mandates, and so the Gender Group –currently led by Chile– has become one of the 26 technical work groups of the PA.

This group will be in charge of a workshop to be held on the forum’s second day, addressing, among other topics, the manner in which gender issues have been addressed within the Alliance.

Download HERE the Official Program for the second Pacific Alliance Leading Women Entrepreneurs Forum.

Pacific Alliance English Network participates in New Zealand Global Competences Certificate + Teacher Training Course

On May 10, the New Zealand Global Competences Certificate + Teacher Training course for the Pacific Alliance English Network began with 40 participants.

Welcoming remarks were given by Fiona Cameron from Education New Zealand, Santiago Fernández De Soto from the Colombian Ministry of National Education and Andrea Flavel from Massey University.

The Global Competences Certificate or GCC created by AFS Intercultural Programs and facilitated by Massey University empowers students and teachers with tangible global competence skills that are fundamental to building just and peaceful societies.

In addition, participants will receive two weeks of Teacher Training which among other things will allow the creation of a “Learning Community” for teacher support and guidance, where methodologies, teaching practices and resources can be shared after the course is completed.

The Pacific Alliance English Network (RIAP, by its acronym in Spanish) aims to develop a cooperation strategy to improve this language in the bloc.

Pacific Alliance English Network meets

August 8, 2024.- The second meeting of the Pacific Alliance English Network (RIAP) was held today. It is made up of representatives of the Ministries of Education of the countries of the bloc: Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

The working group of the Alliance’s English Network worked on the planning and organization of a Survey and established guidelines to launch a pilot of the form for English teachers in Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru through their Ministries of Education.

The meeting was led by the team from the International Relations Office and the English Opens Doors program of the Chilean Ministry of Education, as coordinators of this network during the Chile 2024 pro tempore presidency.

It is expected that the Network and the Technical Group on Education of the Pacific Alliance will be able to meet this year in person in Santiago.

Communications PPT 2024 Pacific Alliance