Project description

Title: Promoting sustainable development and social cohesion in Latin America and the Caribbean
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Latin America and the Caribbean
Lead executing agency: United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Executive Secretariat based in Chile
Overall term: 2010 to 2012

Context

In recent years, many countries in Latin America have made significant progress towards sustainable economic growth. However, there is still considerable social inequality. In many cases, joining the global economy simply serves to increase the gap between the rich and the poor. The benefits of globalisation are reserved for a relatively small section of the population.

The global economic and financial crisis poses a risk to the success already achieved in overcoming poverty and threatens to further intensify the social divide. In addition, the region is faced with numerous environmental problems, but at the same time, it has a key role to play within the context of climate change. The problems surrounding cooperation and integration between the different countries in the region are not new and are very difficult to overcome. The programme for Promoting Sustainable Development and Social Cohesion ties in with many of the issues addressed by the previous programme, Sustainable, Fair and Equitable Globalisation.

Objective

Enhanced options for action in relation to political reform and negotiation processes at national and regional level are available to the governments of Latin America and the Caribbean. Social cohesion throughout Latin America is increased and the conditions for achieving ecologically sustainable development in the region are improved.

Approach

The programme supports practical policy analysis and the development of recommendations for action. These are shared and discussed at international seminars and conferences. Advisory missions are undertaken in individual countries at the request of the national government. Ideally, this can help to shape the political decision-making process. Training supports the implementation of relevant policy measures.

In addition to a fund to deal with future issues, the programme comprises three components:

Climate change: Old and new opportunities for renewable energies and energy efficiency
The programme supports Latin American and Caribbean countries in developing a greater number of their own proposals for the UN-REDD programme (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and presenting these to the relevant UN committees. It also aims to improve regional cooperation on energy policy and energy efficiency. Another key focus is setting up the database required for efficient water management.

Renewal of the fiscal pact
ECLAC provides advice to the governments of the region on using new fiscal policy instruments (for taxation, government spending, budgeting and fiscal decentralisation). These instruments promote macroeconomic stability and the more equitable distribution of income.

Cooperation and integration: Investment in regional public goods
ECLAC supports the countries in working together to overcome transnational economic, social and ecological challenges. This component promotes efforts to develop cooperation and integration within the region. The focus is on the relationship between international trade and the population’s social situation as well as strengthening national innovation policies and transnational innovation systems.

Further information

• United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
  United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
  http://www.eclac.cl
• Local website of the programme
  http://www.gtz-cepal.cl