Regional Technical Cooperation Programmes in LAC
The Regional Programme for LAC approved by UNIDO and GRULAC in November 2007 is part of the process to better identify needs and to optimize UNIDO’s technical cooperation (TC) in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. It is a regional programme whose ultimate objective is to ensure maximum alignment between the TC offered by UNIDO and the industrial development priorities of the region.
The technical cooperation projects and initiatives arising out of this programmatic framework are thus consistent, both with the countries’ development agendas and with UNIDO’s thematic priorities. The joint identification of areas of work and operation at the regional and sub-regional levels is reflected in specific TC projects jointly defined by the countries of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) and UNIDO.
The specific objective of the regional programme is to establish a framework of medium- and long-term action for UNIDO to support the industrial development efforts of the countries in the region.
The regional programme seeks:
- To develop systematic and ongoing dialogue between UNIDO and GRULAC with a focus on identifying and periodically reviewing the priorities of the region;
- To optimize the TC provided by UNIDO to Latin America and the Caribbean;
- To establish a resource mobilization strategy that involves both external financing modalities and co-financing modalities using funds from recipient countries.
The implementation of the regional programme will make possible to share experience, increase cooperation between regions and strengthen alliances, thereby enhancing the region’s productivity and competitiveness. The implementation of these projects requires a clear strategy for the mobilization of technical, human and financial resources, which is an essential part of the regional programme.
The UNIDO strategy for the mobilization of resources consists of:
- Negotiations with bilateral and multilateral donors for projects defined by countries of the region on the basis of the support instruments approved under this programme for the chanelling of financial resources;
- Intensified dialogue with the countries of the LAC region with a view to identifying priorities and the national financial resources that can be assigned in supporting UNIDO activities;
- Development of a partnership between the LAC countries and potential financing bodies (such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Montreal Protocol, the Industrial Development Fund, donor countries and the European Union).