Latin American and Caribbean Days 2021: Circular economy – Good practices from both regions

Since 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Bled Strategic Forum, has been organizing the Latin American and Caribbean Days international conference ("LAC Days"), aimed at strengthening bilateral and bi-regional cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The LAC Days also present the opportunity for Slovenian businesses, institutions and public, and the representatives of the LAC region, to get engaged and to get to know each other.

This year, a special emphasis was placed on the green transition and recovery, including a special panel for the circular economy, moderated by Ladeja Godina Košir.

What are different dimensions of circular transition from the perspective of national networks, researchers and innovators as well as of business leaders? Climate and health crisis are two parts of the same coin – how are they influencing everyday decision-making process on different levels? How can different stakeholders contribute to the implementation of highly ambitious “global green agenda” and what is the role of network governance? How the “plastics challenge” is addressed in different contexts and how is systemic approach enabling connectivity of key transitional points within countries as well as globally.

In her presentation, Linnet Solway of Eurochile Business Foundation, Chile highlighted the key milestone for Eurochile and the country – Chile is on the final stage of publishing the final version of its Roadmap for the Circular Economy thanks to the work and support of many national and international actors, among them Circular Change.

Two other very relevant milestones for the advancement of the circular economy in Chile were added in recent months: the entry into force of two EPR Law decrees (one for tires and the other for packaging) that establish the collection and recycling targets that producers must meet starting 2023; and the approval, by the Chamber of Deputies, of a bill to ban single-use plastics, currently in its final phase of approval in the Senate.

Beatriz Luz of Exchange4Change, Brasil, pointed out that the industry is becoming the leader in the CE transition in Brasil. Key learnings from the last year are 1. taking on board innovation agency to create the necessary systemic view, mindset 2. importance of facilitators with critical mindset – governance 3. creating new rules. Bringing these three learnings together the Brazilian Circular Economy Hub was established.

SMEs are the engines of the transition, and by bringing companies together, we can share knowledge, risks, technologies, and we can bring circular economy to scale. Beatriz Luz said in her conclusion.

Further on SRIP - Strategic Research and Innovation Partnership – Circular Economy, Slovenia, presented its focus on creating and supporting new value chains, and the organizations activities, while emphasizing the ever-increasing importance of networking and collaboration in the future.

The sucessful circular cases from research and business were presented from Slovenia (National Instute for Chemistry, IOS – Institute for Environmental Protection and Sensors, AQUAFIL Slovenia, Plastika SKAZA) and LAC region (WISE – Plastics recycling Brazil, Fundacion Revalora Chile, CAV+S) and the lively discussion continued. As active listener the panel was joined by Karina Dzialowska of European Commission.

The LAC Days 2021, had a wide audience in Europe and Latin America, bringing together representatives of European Union institutions, research centers and associations, science and academia, the business community, culture, the diplomatic corps and politics.