During its participation in the SC24 International Conference in Georgia, USA, from November 17 to 22, RedCLARA reaffirmed its leadership in strengthening the digital ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean. At this global forum, the organization highlighted the transformative impact of the BELLA and BELLA II projects, co-funded by the European Union (EU). These initiatives have expanded digital interconnection capacity, promoted scientific collaboration, and strengthened open science and advanced technologies in the region.
During the “HPC Collaboration in the Americas” session, RedCLARA’s Executive Director, Luis Eliécer Cadenas, emphasized the critical role of the BELLA Program in connecting Latin America with Europe through high-capacity networks. This session, co-hosted with SCALAC (Latin American and Caribbean Advanced Computing System), Internet2, and CANARIE, underscored how the different phases of BELLA have built a robust foundation for global cooperation and the advancement of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and Earth observation.
Cadenas also highlighted that BELLA II, with an expected total investment of €28 million, is extending its reach to Central America and Peru, with plans to expand to the Caribbean. This project not only connects universities and research centers but also fosters innovation in areas such as blockchain and high-performance computing (HPC), revolutionizing the technological landscape of the region.
In September, BELLA II, in partnership with LACNET, SCALAC, Ciberlac, and the University of the Republic (Udelar) in Uruguay, launched two operational testbeds utilizing blockchain and HPC technologies. A third testbed focusing on cybersecurity is under development, further driving innovation and technological growth in the region.
Supported by SCALAC's robust infrastructure, these testbeds enable researchers, scientists, businesses, and governments to conduct complex simulations, analyze large datasets, and test advanced processing models in a secure and specialized environment.
The BELLA II project strengthens the digital ecosystem for science, technology, education, and innovation across Latin America and the Caribbean. It fosters collaboration between businesses, research centers, educational institutions, and national research networks, aligning with the region's strategic goals. It is also a cornerstone of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the EU's Global Gateway strategy, whose impact will continue to expand in the coming years.
At the HPC Illumination Pavilion, a space showcasing key HPC initiatives and collaborations, Carlos González, RedCLARA’s Network Services Manager, discussed how the organization’s projects are bridging the digital divide in Latin America. González highlighted these initiatives as vital to promoting inclusion and technological development in the region through key infrastructure investments.
HPC is an essential resource for the region’s science, education, and innovation ecosystem, enabling the tackling of complex challenges such as climate change, food security, and air pollution. Collaboration is critical to maximizing its effectiveness.
“RedCLARA facilitates collaboration among researchers, allowing them to address these challenges from diverse perspectives. Moreover, it fosters cooperation to identify joint solutions or provide the necessary resources for research. RedCLARA acts as a neutral regional agent, interconnecting stakeholders, ensuring fast and secure data transmission, and facilitating the collaborative processes needed to generate new solutions,” González explained.
