The extension of the submarine fiber-optic cable that directly linking Europe with Latin America and the strengthening of the necessary infrastructure to consolidate a regional digital ecosystem, through the BELLA II project, are among the major commitments of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGAI), announced at the EU-CELAC Summit, held in Brussels, Belgium, on 17 and 18 July.
The Global Gateway Strategy is an initiative of the European Commission (EC) to contribute to the development of partner countries by promoting sustainable and reliable connections that benefit people and the planet. It helps address some of the world´s most pressing global challenges, from tackling climate change to improving health systems and boosting the competitiveness and security of global supply chains.
The Investment Agenda, presented by EC President Ursula von der Leyen during the Summit's Business Roundtable, focuses on a just environmental transition, inclusive digital transformation, human development and health resilience.
According to the official, Team Europe has committed more than 45 billion euros to "support the strengthened partnership with Latin America and the Caribbean" until 2027. She also explained that it is not only the amount of investment that is important, but also how the money is invested, i.e. where the support is focused. The AIGG includes more than 130 green and digital transformation projects across the two continents. The list is based on a series of dialogues with Latin American and Caribbean partners.
The BELLA II project is part of smart investments in quality infrastructure and stands out as one of the pillars of the recently signed EU-LAC Digital Alliance, together with the EU Earth Observation programme, Copernicus, which will establish two regional centres (one in Panama and one in Chile) to contribute to disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and land and marine monitoring.
BELLA II: Building the Europe Link to Latin America and the Caribbean, is a project coordinated by the Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks, RedCLARA, and funded by the EC. Its main objective is to reduce the digital divide and support the development of the necessary infrastructure to consolidate and expand a digital ecosystem for science, technology, education and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
