5th Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas Ministerial: First Virtual Regional Preparatory Meeting

The Government of Panama, with the support of the Organization of American States, will host virtual hemispheric meetings in preparation for the Fifth ECPA Ministerial to convene in 2022 under the theme “Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions.”

Objectives:

• Provide inputs for a ministerial meeting addressing “Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions”
• Update the ECPA Action Plan
• Discuss options for private sector engagement
• Determine whether the meeting shall be hosted in-person or virtually

Background:

Through ECPA, countries in the Western Hemisphere exercise shared leadership by exchanging ideas and forging solutions to achieve a sustainable energy future.

While their specific policies and strategies may vary, all the countries participating in ECPA— members of the Organization of American States (OAS)—share common goals: More renewable energy. Cleaner fossil fuels. Maximum energy efficiency. Improved energy integration. Climate-smart infrastructure. Greater resilience. Such objectives are in sync with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for peace and prosperity.

Building on this foundation of shared commitments, ECPA provides a regional platform for cooperation. It brings together governments, civil society, and the private sector to implement initiatives and explore solutions to the challenges every country faces as it strives to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all,” in the words of Sustainable Development Goal 7.

This is the Fifth ECPA Ministers meeting. Previous meetings convened in Montego Bay, Jamaica (2020); Viña del Mar, Chile (2017); Merida, Mexico (2015); and Washington, United States (2010).

Agenda:

08:00 AM

Welcome and introduction

Kim Osborne (TBC)
Executive Secretary for Integral Development
Organization of American States

Hon. Daryl Vaz M.P. (TBC)
Minister of Science, Energy, and Technology of Jamaica
Steering Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Jorge Rivera Staff
National Energy Secretary of Panama
Steering Committee Chair

08:20 AM

V ECPA Ministerial
Process overview, proposed agenda, logistics (virtual or in-person), side events, private sector and civil society engagement.

08:30 AM

Private sector engagement: Americas Business Dialogue
Background and overview, policy recommendations to advance energy access and investment, proposed engagement in Panama.

09:00 AM

ECPA Action Plan
NFPs present their countries’ top national energy priorities to update the ECPA Action Plan (3 minutes per country).

11:00 AM

Closing remarks
Rosilena Lindo
Deputy National Secretary of Energy of Panama