Today, December 15, 2022, within the framework of the seventh edition of Energy Week, the LII Meeting of Ministers of the Latin American Energy Organization (Olade) was held, a space where 24 delegations of Member Countries of the Organization participated, where experts applauded the progress of the energy sector in the region, emphasizing the energy transition and the facilities for it.
At the opening ceremony, Olade’s Executive Secretary, Alfonso Blanco, said: “In these six years the results of the evolution of the energy sector in Latin America and the Caribbean are remarkable, in terms of access, renewability, climate commitment, infrastructure development and modernization. They are all achievements of our member countries, of the people and capabilities of our region, which we have had the pride and satisfaction of supporting. There are still many things to do and build, there are still many things to improve, but my message is that our region is moving forward and we must not stop that progress.
“I express my deepest gratitude to all those who have accompanied OLADE’s evolution during this time, to all the authorities and technical teams of our member countries, to all OLADE’s internal collaborators, who are a committed team, united and unconditionally dedicated to regional integration.”
Presidency LII Meeting of Ministers
The presidency of the LII Olade Meeting of Ministers was held by Tareck El Aissami, sectoral Vice President of Economy and Minister of People’s Power for Petroleum of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, who participated in the event virtually.
“Venezuela encourages and invites the executive secretary to direct his efforts to position Olade as an organization that defends the importance of renewable and non-renewable energy sources to guarantee the energy security and stability of our peoples,” he said.
Recognition to OLADE
Panama, as host country, through its Secretary of Energy, Jorge Rivera, recognized Olade and IRENA for their contribution to the national energy transition agenda.
“We solidify and strengthen these principles of joint Latin American integration in order to continue advancing in times of global uncertainty,” said Panama’s Secretary of Energy, Jorge Rivera.
Ministerial Dialogue
During the Political and Strategic Ministerial Dialogue, led by Ariel Yépez, he mentioned: “We can proudly point out that Latin America and the Caribbean is the greenest region in terms of electricity generation at a global level”.
“We at the Inter-American Development Bank will be working together with you to support you with technical cooperation, dialogue and financing in order to advance the energy sector transformation agenda.”
Ministerial Decisions
The following were approved:
Gender and Energy; Critical Minerals for Energy Transitions; Creation of the Latin American Methane Emissions Observatory (OEMLAC); World Sustainable Energy Day; Energy Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean; Vulnerability of Latin America and the Caribbean to the impacts of the global energy crisis.
Delegations Member Countries
The LII Meeting of Ministers was attended by 24 delegations from Olade Member Countries: Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela.
Keynote Speeches
The opening session of the LII Olade Meeting of Ministers featured keynote addresses by: Joseph McMonigle, Secretary General of the International Energy Forum – IEF; Francesco La Camera, Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Mary Burce Warlick, Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA); and Paul Simons, Ambassador, Senior Fellow, Jackson School of Global Affairs, Yale University.
“The Energy Week was a fundamentally positive and optimistic assessment of the possibilities of this transition” in Latin America and the Caribbean, said Paul Simons.
The experts noted that Latin America “can decarbonize its electricity and transportation systems somewhat more easily and less expensively than many other regions”.
Election of the Executive Secretary
The Olade Ministers’ Meeting elected Andrés Rebolledo, representing Chile, as Executive Secretary for the 2023-2025 period.