27 November 2024

Reflections on the PAGE Argentina: Navigating Challenges on the Path to a Green Economy

On 27 November, PAGE celebrated five years of accomplishments in Argentina during a meeting convened in Buenos Aires. This event brought together participants and key stakeholders to share their experiences and outcomes while discussing strategic collaboration opportunities with partners focused on promoting a sustainable economy in Argentina and the region. The meeting aimed to facilitate dialogue among UN representatives, multilateral credit institutions, embassies, bilateral cooperation agencies, private sector members, and relevant foundations.

Main achievements

The UN-PAGE multi-agency partnership model has effectively coordinated strategies across government levels and engaged various social actors. Key outcomes include national policies for green jobs, sector-specific policies for labor transitions, capacity-building efforts, and innovative financial instruments. These achievements demonstrate strong institutionalization and integration, aiding future strategic alliances. Results were documented and showcased through audiovisual materials, emphasizing the program’s role in economic transformation, green job creation, and social development.

Argentina Aerial view of city buildings — Aerial view of city buildings

Argentina's progress has been the result of a profound Social Dialogue, where diverse national actors have worked together to build consensus and consolidate a shared vision.

Ricardo Isea, PAGE secretariat

PAGE contributed to Argentina’s progress in advancing pathways toward a Green Economy through policy support, capacity building, social dialogue and south-south cooperation, and public awareness. Some of the achievements include:

The launch of the National Green Jobs Programme
A contribution to the National Strategy for the Development of the Hydrogen Economy
The establishment of National Council on Green Jobs
Design of guidelines for sustainable practices and providing assessments on green jobs and just transition
Providing training on green economy principles to 3000 people and engaging with 1000 participants to promote social dialogue
Leading two social media communication campaigns and offering a course on local environmental journalism

Argentina Results

Policy support

3roadmaps supported
1provincial programme
3national policies supported
3sectoral policies

Speaking virtually, Ricardo Isea, representative of the PAGE Secretariat, highlighted the work with partners, universities and donors. He noted that Argentina had made significant progress in the green economy in a multi-sectoral manner, with the participation of different levels of government, from national to local, as well as strategic partners

“It is important to underline that these advances have been possible thanks to the leadership and commitment of national partners. PAGE has acted as a catalyst, creating favourable conditions and opening spaces for national actors to take a leading role in this effort. In this sense, Argentina’s progress has been the result of a profound Social Dialogue, where diverse national actors have worked together to build consensus and consolidate a shared vision.” said Ricardo Isea, consultant PAGE secretariat.

The meeting started with welcoming remarks from Claudia Mojica, the UN resident coordinator, who urged guests to consider ways to support the country’s green economy development in the future. Following Sara Luna Camacho, Director of the ILO Argentina, highlighted the organization’s leadership in focusing on job quality, industrial transformations, and green finance, with active involvement from trade unions and employers.

The event proceeded with discussions regarding potential future alliances among development partners in Argentina. Participants explored the challenges and opportunities inherent in enhancing PAGE’s initiatives to promote the Green Economy within the current context, examining these issues from multiple angles and perspectives.

The meeting was attended by the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), ILO, UNDP, UNEP, UNIDO, UNITAR, Global Compact (UNDP, private sector), PAGE, the Argentine World Bank (IBRD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Development Bank FONPLATA, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). The Federal Investment Council (CFI), German Development Cooperation Agency GIZ, Japanese Development Cooperation Agency JICA, AVINA Foundation, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Argentine Network of Municipalities Against Climate Change (RAMCC) also participated.

PAGE is a joint initiative of UNIDO, ILO, UNEP, UNDP and UNITAR that supports 22 countries in shaping inclusive and green economy policy and practice. Argentina joined in 2018. ILO is acting as the main coordinating agency for PAGE in Argentina.