CAF Participates in 26th Mercocities Network Summit
December 06, 2021
The most important event of the Network was held from December 1 to 3. It was chaired by the city of Esteban Echeverría (Argentina), which will take over the presidency for one year
CAF—development bank of Latin America—was part of the agenda in which local governments from more than nine South American countries met to reflect, debate and share experiences based on South-South cooperation.
The role of cities in addressing climate change challenges and strengthening local resilience was one of the topics at the heart of the summit’s debate. The third edition of the Resilience School was launched, which is a result of the strategic alliance between the Mercocities Network and the Resilient Cities Network. CAF participated in the thematic round tables on recovery projects, resilience strategies and the crucial role that local governments have in the post-pandemic recovery process.
During the General Assembly, CAF representative in Argentina Santiago Rojas shared some general guidelines with member municipalities from the Network on the tools and cooperation opportunities that are available to cities in the region. “To determine the actions intended to reverse the gaps and inequities in the region, we must conceive of territories, particularly those in urban areas, as an ecosystem to be shaped by balanced interactions between environmental and socioeconomic dimensions.” He also indicated that “CAF aspires to become the green bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Along these lines, we believe that spaces for dialogue and exchange between peers are fundamental in promoting a green recovery and restoring our relationship with nature.”
After this talk, the Mayor of Esteban Echeverría, Fernando Gray, thanked CAF for its interest in supporting local governments in the task of creating inclusive, sustainable and resilient territories, adding: “the financing we have received through Aysa from CAF has allowed us to expand water supply coverage in the municipality, improving quality of life. During my term in office, we strive to further strengthen the relationship with organizations such as CAF to find spaces for cooperation and partnership that are essential for our cities.”
The Mercocities Network represents 365 cities in 10 Latin American countries. It was created twenty-six years ago in search of regional integration respectful of diversity and with the vocation of building a participatory citizenship without borders.