In a high-level meeting on the road to COP30, subnational governments, the private sector, and international organizations signed the “Paraná Declaration”, committing to a unified federal agenda. Additionally, strategic agreements were finalized for the development of bioenergy and sustainable finance in the region.
After two days of intense coordination, the Federal Meeting “On the Road to COP30” concluded today in this capital with a strong message of unity and action. The event, which brought together subnational governments, international organizations, and the private sector, served as a strategic space to align Argentina’s federal climate agenda ahead of the upcoming Conference of the Parties to be held in Brazil.
The opening of the meeting was attended by the Vice Governor of Entre Ríos, Alicia Aluani, and the provincial Secretary of Environment, Rosa Hojman. The inaugural dialogue emphasized the importance of cooperation, with the participation of the president of the Banco de Bosques Foundation, Pedro Friedrich, and virtual interventions from the designated President of COP30, Andrè Corrêa do Lago, and the Brazilian Ambassador to Argentina, Julio Glinternick Bitelli.
Thematic Axes and High-Level Debates on the Road to COP30
The meeting was characterized by the quality of its speakers and the deep exchange of ideas on crucial topics such as sustainable production, the challenges of agriculture and industry in the face of climate change, and the role of universities and civil society.
Special emphasis was placed on the role of municipalities and provinces, as well as on the promotion of biodiversity and protected areas, a key point considering that COP30 will take place in Belém do Pará, the heart of the Brazilian Amazon.
One of the major topics of the upcoming climate summit, effective access to financing to accelerate a just transition, was addressed in two highlighted spaces.
The opening panel, moderated by the Minister of Finance, brought together Alejandra Cámara, director of Genesis —a consultancy specializing in sustainable finance and carbon markets—, Juan Pedro Cano from the Argentine Carbon Board, Leonardo Picardi from the Petersen Group, and Julieta Artal Conte from BYMA (Argentine Stock Exchanges and Markets).
Subsequently, a Central Dialogue gathered the Delegation of the European Union, the German cooperation agency GIZ, and the Federal Investment Council (CFI) to discuss the challenges of accessing climate funds and the synergy of international cooperation.
Other key panels addressed the Federal Energy Transition and Nature-Based Solutions, with the participation of experts such as Klass De Groot, Senior Specialist at the World Bank, and Juan Khouri, CEO and Co-Founder of DOSBIO.
Framework Agreements for Environmental Action
During the meeting, the province of Entre Ríos signed a collaborative and non-binding agreement with DOSBIO. The agreement aims to assess the technical, environmental, and economic feasibility of producing renewable energy from poultry sector waste, a persistent environmental problem in the region.
The plan projects the installation of four biogas plants near the main production centers, where the obtained biomethane will be injected into Gasnea’s gas pipelines. Then, part of that gas will be liquefied at terminals like Punta Colorada or Bahía Blanca for potential export as BioLNG (biogenic liquefied natural gas).
In parallel, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Bank of Entre Ríos, the New Bank of Entre Ríos Foundation, and the Secretary of Environment to promote sustainable development and environmental education, within the framework of the presentation of the B Alliance, alongside System B and Petersen Group.
The Paraná Declaration: A Federal Commitment on the Road to COP30
The highlight of the meeting was the signing of the Paraná Declaration, an agreement where the Argentine provinces reaffirm their joint commitment to climate change.
The document advocates for the construction of a “climate federalism” that translates the commitments of the Paris Agreement into concrete, sustainable, and equitable public policies.
Recognizing the context of planetary emergency, the signatories agreed on the following main commitments:
- Federal unity: Act jointly at COP30 in Belém, speaking with one voice representing Argentine climate federalism.
- Strengthening climate federalism: Consolidate the role of provinces and municipalities in implementing mitigation, adaptation, and disaster management policies.
- Access to international financing: Promote direct channels for subnational governments within funds such as the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund.
- Capacity development: Advance in monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) programs and technical cooperation.
- Promotion of green financial instruments: Strengthen public and private mechanisms to finance climate action.
- Innovation and just transition: Foster projects in renewable energies, bioeconomy, circular economy, and carbon markets.
- Multilevel articulation: Consolidate cooperation between provinces, municipalities, universities, and the private sector, strengthening the role of COFEMA.
While the declaration is programmatic and non-binding, it represents a powerful common political will to advance towards integrated climate action from the territory.
Closing and Perspectives
On the road to COP30 in Paraná, the meeting concluded with the presence of Rosa Hojman, Secretary of Environment of Entre Ríos; Federico Cacace, Secretary of State for Environment of San Luis and head of COFEMA; and provincial deputy María Elena Romero.
All agreed on emphasizing the strong commitment of subnational governments to the global environmental agenda and the need to continue strengthening federal coordination spaces.
