Perspectives from Latin America and Europe
Authors: Basco, Ana Inés.
Executive Summary
The Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL), part of the Integration and Trade Sector, together with Esglobal, a Spanish digital media outlet that promotes analysis of global affairs, organized the interregional debate “Young Voices for Sustainable Trade.”
The event was held within the framework of the INTegrad@s program, a network created by IDB INTAL to help young people expand their knowledge of and participation in regional and international integration processes.
Young Voices for Sustainable Trade provided an opportunity to incorporate the perspectives and visions of younger generations into a renewed approach to sustainable trade from both regions to the world, placing special emphasis on the innovation and creativity that young people bring through their participation.
This document summarizes the main observations and recommendations that emerged from the event, with the aim of amplifying the reach and impact of young voices.
The main findings are summarized below:
- Active Youth Participation in the Global Green Agenda: Young people are playing an increasingly prominent role in initiatives, discussions, and actions related to climate change and sustainable development, particularly from an interregional perspective involving Europe and Latin America.
- The dialogue was structured around four thematic pillars:
- Climate Change Mitigation: This was addressed as a global challenge requiring international cooperation and differentiated approaches based on countries’ levels of development. The discussion emphasized the importance of climate justice and the protection of vulnerable populations.
- Energy Transition: Latin America holds a comparative advantage in renewable energy, which accounts for 33% of its energy matrix. However, strengthening bi-regional cooperation with Europe, mobilizing financing, and promoting green value chains remain essential.
- Trade Policy, Environment, and Gender: Participants examined the impact of environmental regulations on trade and how such measures may create barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The need to incorporate a gender perspective was also highlighted, as women—particularly those in rural areas—are often more vulnerable to climate-related events.
- Circular Economy: Limited awareness of the concept, along with constraints in financing and implementation, were identified as key challenges, contributing to asymmetries between Europe and Latin America. The circular economy was viewed as an opportunity to create green jobs and reduce waste.
- Shared Gaps and Challenges:
- Limited technical and regulatory knowledge within the private sector, particularly among SMEs.
- Insufficient alignment between trade and environmental policies from a rights-based perspective.
- The need for greater inclusion of vulnerable groups and stronger local capacity-building efforts.
- Cross-Cutting Recommendations:
- Foster environmentally conscious citizenship.
- Create regional collaboration mechanisms among green leaders.
- Promote local programs, volunteer initiatives, and internships focused on environmental sustainability.
- Facilitate access to financing for green SMEs.
- Guarantee emerging rights, including access to environmental information and environmental justice.
- Raise awareness of the benefits of green labeling and fair trade policies.
This document highlights the perspectives and proposals of young people committed to the sustainable transformation of trade, underscoring the urgency of integrating their voices into international political and economic agendas.