In a meeting room in Vienna, Austria, representatives from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean came together to discuss how to strengthen the interconnection of their scientific infrastructures, enhance digital interoperability, and promote more open, secure and collaborative access to knowledge.

In this technical and political context — the 15th meeting of the Bi-regional Working Group on Research Infrastructures (RI WG), held in June — the BELLA II project, implemented by RedCLARA and co-financed by the European Union (EU), stood out as one of the most ambitious initiatives from Latin America and the Caribbean to integrate the region’s science into the global digital ecosystem.

“BELLA II is one of the flagship initiatives of the EU–LAC Digital Alliance. It is transforming the digital infrastructure of Latin America and the Caribbean, building a region that is more innovative, competitive, and globally connected. More than just networks, we connect countries, people, and ideas to expand access to science, education, and knowledge. That is the real value of this bi-regional cooperation,” said Mark Urban, Director of International Relations at RedCLARA, during his presentation “RedCLARA: An Ecosystem of Capabilities for Open Science in Latin America.”

During his presentation, Mark Urban outlined the progress and opportunities made possible through BELLA II: solutions that directly address the current needs of the scientific community. These include  high-speed connectivity, secure collaborative platforms, dedicated circuits for data transfer, tools to support reproducible science, and capabilities for integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Thanks to the strengthening of the regional network and its integration with academic infrastructures in Europe (GÉANT), the United States (Internet2), and Africa (TENET), BELLA II is driving an unprecedented level of connectivity. This enables seamless interaction among universities, data centers, laboratories, and observatories across both sides of the Atlantic. Such connectivity supports secure digital environments for analyzing large-scale data and promotes scientific collaboration across national borders, among other benefits.

By strengthening the regional network and interconnecting it with global research networks in Europe (GÉANT), the United States (Internet2), and Africa (TENET), BELLA II is enabling unprecedented connectivity across continents. This connectivity enables secure digital environments for data analysis and fosters scientific collaboration beyond national borders.

In addition, BELLA II is promoting the development of technological testbeds focused on key areas such as high-performance computing (HPC), blockchain and cybersecurity. These environments are designed to accelerate applied research, validate new technologies, and foster innovation in both academia and productive sectors. Among the successful early use cases, two initiatives were highlighted: the Camaron initiative in Guatemala, which applies nanotechnology for water remediation, and the Diploma project, which tests blockchain-based academic credentials. These examples  demonstrate how the infrastructure supported by BELLA II is translating into applied innovation with tangible impact in local and regional impact.BELLA II aligns directly with the priorities set forth during the EU–CELAC meeting: interoperable digital systems , successful collaboration across regions, and fair access to scientific knowledge. In this context, BELLA II positions as a key catalyst for the transformation of science in Latin America, fully aligned with the shared values of cooperation, inclusion, and  innovation that underpin the bi-regional partnership.

The meeting of the Bi-regional Working Group on Research Infrastructures brought together high-level representatives from governments, research institutions, science and technology agencies, and regional networks from Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. As part of the EU–CELAC Strategic Partnership, the group fosters structured dialogue, policy coordination, and collaborative action to strengthen scientific infrastructures, advance digital cooperation, and promote equitable access to knowledge across both regions.