Since 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, within the Bled Strategic Forum, has been organizing the third Latin American and Caribbean Days international conference ("LAC Days"), aimed at strengthening bilateral and bi-regional cooperation with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. The LAC Days also present the opportunity for Slovenian businesses, institutions and public, on the one hand, and the representatives of the region, on the other, to get better knowledge of one another.
The 2021 LAC Days are to take place in the week between 19 and 23 April 2021. The conference will be divided in several parts addressing economic, sector specific (environment & science), and cultural issues.
This year, the traditional high-level panel "Opportunities of the EU-LAC Cooperation", devoted to bilateral and bi‑regional cooperation and the collaboration in international organizations and joint initiatives, will be slightly amended. We invited high representatives of the two regions (foreign ministers from certain EU and LAC countries) to address the topic in their video messages.
Economic discussions will focus on existing opportunities and offer an insight into possible cooperation between Slovenia and LAC countries (i.e. presentation of business environment, opportunities and the companies with interest and/or experience in the region) as well as explore possible synergies between Slovenian and LAC business partners. In case of interest, B2B virtual meetings will be organized. A separate topic will be good practices in circular economy hosted by Ladeja G. Košir.
In sector-specific panels, the possibilities of cooperation on environmental challenges of common interest, especially on sustainable water management, and in other areas of science and research will be addressed – with the focus on green and digital transition. The conference will include a Science and Research Workshop, developing on increased cooperation between research institutions and researchers from LAC countries and the EU, as well as the possible support of European programmes (e.g. Horizon Europe, ERA Nets, representing a kind of a follow up to the 2019 LAC Days workshop). The workshop is to be organised in cooperation with the Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR).
In cooperation with the international EU-LAC Foundation, the 12th Reflection Forum on "Contributions of the bi-regional strategic partnership to shaping greener recovery" will take place on 19 and 20 April 2021, back-to-back with the 2021 LAC Days.