President Goldfajn,
Minister Grau,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Morning!

It is an honor to address this dynamic group of leaders from the private sector, government, and international institutions.

I would like to thank the Inter-American Development Bank for organizing this forum here in vibrant Santiago.

Before becoming Commissioner for International Partnerships, I served as the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade. Last year, I visited Chile, and its great to be back.

During that visit, I learned about the enormous potential for cooperation between Chile and Europe, particularly in renewable energy and critical raw materials.

Despite the differences, Santiago and Prague share much in common, as do Europe and Latin America, united in their commitment to democracy and human rights.

Today, we stand together on the global stage to tackle the greatest challenges of our time, such as climate change and strengthening a rules-based international order.

Our regions are deepening their ties through the EUs Global Gateway strategy, where the private sector plays a crucial role.

President von der Leyen launched Global Gateway in 2021 with the goal of mobilizing 300 billion euros for sustainable infrastructure investments by 2027.

The strategy focuses on sustainable human development and aims to build real cooperation, with mutual benefits.

The main areas of cooperation are clean energy, digitalization, education, health, and infrastructure.

We also provide regulatory support, technology transfer, and focus on creating new, quality jobs for local communities.

In 2023, leaders from the EU and LAC met to discuss shared challenges and explore new avenues for collaboration.

We agreed on a 45-billion-euro investment agenda that supports both the green and digital transitions in LAC and Europe.

Our partnership includes more than 100 investment initiatives, including key Global Gateway projects.

First example: our partnership on energy.

LAC has abundant renewable energy resources, and the EU is a champion of clean energy transitions.

We are working together to integrate electricity markets in LAC and develop cross-border energy infrastructure.

This partnership supports the green transition and promotes energy independence.

Europe has extensive experience with integrated electricity grids adapted to renewable energy, helping us maximize the efficient use of renewable energy resources.

Through this cooperation, we can promote regional integration, create jobs, and deliver energy to those who need it most.

Second example: our partnership on critical raw materials.

Access to critical raw materials is essential for the green and digital transitions.

Through our partnership, LAC and the EU are developing sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials.

We attract investors to projects in Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.

Our efforts focus on adding value in both LAC and Europe.

• We provide regulatory support to stabilize markets and attract foreign investment.
• We offer training to the local workforce.
• We invest in critical infrastructure like transport and energy to lower costs and minimize the carbon footprint.
• We uphold the highest social, environmental, and governance standards.

Third example: digital cooperation.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial digital connectivity is to our societies.

The EU-LAC Digital Alliance is working to close the gap in digital infrastructure and connectivity in LAC.

The goal is not only to improve access to technology but also to create the conditions for a digital economy that drives growth.

Our partnership has led to 100 new joint ventures, with participation from 1,500 companies from 86 countries.

We are on track to extend the BELLA fiber optic cable from South America to Central America.

The Digital Alliance is not only creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship but also improving the lives of millions.

These examples are not exhaustive, but they illustrate the scale of what our regions can achieve through Global Gateway.

The private sector is indispensable for Global Gateway. According to OECD estimates, the annual investment gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals is about 4 trillion euros.

No government or multilateral organization can bridge this gap alone.

Businesses are a key part of the Global Gateway strategy. They bring the investments, expertise, and agility needed to implement and scale our initiatives.

Global Gateway works with businesses to make their projects transformative and attractive to our partners.

The EU and its Member States use public funds to de-risk investments.

We also support the development of taxonomies for sustainable investments to ensure green bonds are standardized, credible, and interoperable.

Facilitating public-private partnerships is crucial. The EU is committed to fostering collaboration between governments, businesses, and financial institutions.

We regularly organize business forums and other events to share knowledge and forge partnerships.

We provide tools to create the right environment for businesses.

Whether its through regulatory support, capacity building, or technical assistance, we want to help businesses seize the opportunities arising from our shared goals.

Dear colleagues,

I had the privilege of serving during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2022.

It was not an easy time. Russias war on Ukraine reminded us of the importance of diversification and strategic autonomy.

The Global Gateway Investment Agenda between the EU and LAC is not just about coming up with ambitious projects but also about executing them correctly.

Thank you for your attention, and I wish you a productive forum.