The Executive Secretary of ECLAC, Alicia Bárcena, called on countries to cooperate, regardless of their income level, to seek development opportunities. | Photo: @eclac_un

San Jose, August 23 (RHC)-- The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Alicia Bárcena, called for a reduction in the environmental footprint in order to obtain a more sustained growth in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We are still talking about an emergency.  We have not made explicit our transformative recovery plans that speak of building and rebuilding better," said Bárcena in the framework of the Exploratory Meeting of the South-South Cooperation Committee.

She also stressed that investment is what is most needed in Latin America, both foreign and international, public and private, but pointed out the need for a clear purpose on its direction.

At the same time, Bárcena stressed that the recovery must generate synergies "between industrial, environmental, energy, fiscal and social policies" to promote job creation and more sustainable economic growth.

On the other hand, the head of ECLAC pointed out that there is an asymmetry in the face of climate change and in economic terms in the region.  "Those who are suffering the most are the small island states and Central America."

"Developed countries have increased their wealth, ours have been decreased," she said while arguing that the region does not have a clear funding mechanism for adaptation and resilience.

"Cooperation must include all countries, beyond their income level, and be based on the development problems and opportunities of each one," said Alicia Bárcena.

The head of ECLAC referred to how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the reduction in environmental budgets and spending on environmental protection.  She also pointed out that access to vaccines is another major regional asymmetry.

The Special Meeting of the Committee on South-South Cooperation focused on opportunities for renewing international cooperation for the development of Latin America and the Caribbean and was held virtually over two days.

In addition to the welcoming remarks by the Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean entity, the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, Rodolfo Solano Quirós, was also present on behalf of his country, which presides over this Committee made up of several regional leaders.