SEGIB participates in the closing event of ADELANTE 2

The main findings of SEGIB’s contribution to the Programme were shared, reinforcing Triangular Cooperation as a strategic pillar for the EU-LAC partnership.

On 2 and 3 July, the closing event for ADELANTE 2 – the European Union’s regional programme for Latin America and the Caribbean on Triangular Cooperation (TC) – was held in Brussels. The programme’s aim has been to promote this form of cooperation for the exchange of knowledge, peer learning and the implementation of collaborative approaches between partner countries and institutions.

According to the European Commission, over the last decade the programme has helped to consolidate TC as a recognized modality within regional cooperation between the EU and LAC. It has also supported pilot initiatives, institutional exchanges and capacity-building activities across a wide range of thematic areas. At the same time, discussions have arisen on how to maximise the impact, scalability, strategic coherence and cost-effectiveness of TC approaches within the broader framework of the EU’s external action and the priorities of the Global Gateway (European Commission, Concept Note for the event).

In this context, SEGIB led the development of the Analytical component, one of the programme’s three main areas of work. This component was aimed at generating knowledge and specific tools to strengthen sectoral cooperation — in areas such as the environment and artificial intelligence, amongst others — with a particular focus on cities and Indigenous Peoples. Between 2023 and 2026, SEGIB contributed its expertise in building partnerships and generating applied knowledge on Triangular Cooperation within the Ibero-American region, and in its relations with other developing regions, thereby contributing to the objectives of ADELANTE 2.

It is worth noting that this collaboration was organised through two projects: ‘Innovative Triangular Cooperation for a New Development Agenda’ (2019–2023) and ‘Knowledge Generation and New Instruments for EU–LAC Triangular Cooperation’ (2021–2026). The first project enabled the development of tools through a collective-building strategy that combined technical dialogue with political discussion and negotiation. The second project built on these advances — in some cases putting them into operational practice — and contributed to strengthening the EU-LAC bi-regional partnership through new lines of work in the field of Triangular Cooperation.

During the meeting in Brussels, SEGIB shared its experience within the framework of the programme and presented some of the key findings regarding the opportunities and risks of Triangular Cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, as well as its potential in environmental matters to foster more effective bi-regional partnerships. The event was attended by officials from DG INTPA and representatives of Ibero-American cooperation agencies, including ABC Brazil, AECID, AGCID and AUCI. Also of particular significance was the presence of the implementing organisations for the projects included in the first operational component, through which 47 initiatives were supported, the implementation of which was completed in 2025.

The closing event was structured around thematic round-table discussions aligned with three Global Gateway priorities: digital transformation, green transition and the social sectors, including education and health. Each round-table discussion began with an introductory speech or presentation, followed by contributions from the speakers, who highlighted complementarities, lessons learnt and opportunities to integrate TC approaches into broader regional cooperation frameworks.

July 2026

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Source and photos: European Commission and SEGIB.