LAC Days 2019, a conference dedicated to cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean started in Ljubljana on Monday with calls for closer ties in trade, science, education, and culture. “We share the commitment to active multilateralism, human rights, sustainable development, peaceful resolution of disputes, and international law”, stated Slovenian Foreign Minister Miro Cerar in his opening address.
Cerar said these shared values needed to form the foundation of a transparent and predictable world order, noting that last week EU foreign ministers adopted an action plan for the region based on four pillars: prosperity, which focuses on a green and circular economy, democracy, resilience, which is designed to strengthen economic, environmental and social resilience, and multilateralism.
The second Latin American and Caribbean Days international conference, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lasts from 20 to 26 May in Ljubljana and Piran within the framework of Bled Strategic Forum.
The multi-day conference features officials as well as representatives of NGOs, scientists, and researchers from the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Fostering bilateral and interregional political dialogue and cooperation, particularly on the environment and the circular economy, the first session entitled EU-LAC – For a sustainable environment and circular economy was held on 20 May at Ljubljana’s Cankarjev Dom Cultural and Congress Centre. Ladeja Godina Košir, Executive Director of Circular Change, were among the speakers, presenting good circular economy practices from both Slovenia and Brazil.
The second session, dedicated to strengthening economic cooperation with the countries in the region, is scheduled for 23 May and will explore prospects for business cooperation with selected countries.
A dedicated workshop stretching over several days will be at the core of the third session on science and research, which will aim at promoting cooperation between research institutions and researchers from LAC countries and the EU. The workshop/seminar will be co-organised with the EU-LAC Foundation and the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR).
As part of the accompanying program, Latin American films will be screened at the Slovenian Cinematheque from 22 to 26 May.