The third edition of “Building Sustainable Futures in San Juan” was held at the Anchipurac Environmental Center, with the participation of more than 150 representatives from the private sector, government authorities, legislators, academics, and social organizations. The event was declared of Environmental and Social Interest by the Provincial Chamber of Deputies and had the academic endorsement of the Universidad Católica de Cuyo.
Driven by Sistema B Argentina and B Companies Conexxión, DAMS, and Broker Andino, with support from the provincial government and Banco San Juan, the meeting aimed to analyze the present and project a sustainable productive model for the province.
Institutional Voices
- Fernanda Mierez, Co-founder of Sistema B Argentina, emphasized that growth will only be valuable if people are placed at the center and natural resources are cared for.
- Gustavo Fernández, Minister of Production, Labor, and Innovation, highlighted the need for a development strategy with a triple impact: economic, social, and environmental.
- Federico Ríos Yañez, Secretary of Environment, reaffirmed that the environment is a state policy and that joint work with the productive sector is key.
Panels and Reflections
The first panel, “Bridges for Scaling Sustainable Development”, brought together local actors:
- Nancy Picón, National Deputy, highlighted mining as a growth engine linked to sustainability.
- Alberto Rositano, Banco San Juan, emphasized the importance of connecting investment, territory, and sustainability.
- Ricardo Martínez, former president of the Mining Chamber, spoke about governance as a fundamental principle.
- Lucía Feced, GDFE, shared literacy experiences supported by companies and foundations.
The second panel, “Impact Business Models”, showcased cases of B Companies:
- Buplasa, which transitioned from traditional plastics to circular economy.
- Ecofactory, creator of reusable bags and compostable bioplastics.
- Coripa, which found value in the B Impact Assessment to reorganize its management.
- Grupo SOIFE, which diversifies its contribution in Comodoro Rivadavia beyond health.
B Companies in San Juan
Local B Companies —Conexxión, DAMS, and Broker Andino— shared their experience and noted that more and more companies are moving towards this model. Marina Arias, Executive Director of Sistema B Argentina, concluded with a clear message: “Development must be sustainable. Otherwise, it is not development”.
The meeting highlighted that San Juan seeks to consolidate a new productive paradigm, where business competitiveness is linked to sustainability and community well-being. The collaboration between the state, companies, academia, and civil society appears to be the path to ensuring a long-term future.
