New Kid on The Block

The most climate-active negotiating block in Latin America may have a new member in the near future.

Paraguay is likely to join Colombia, Perú, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile and Panamá as the newest member of the AILAC crew.

AILAC represents the Alliance of Independent Latin America states and the Caribbean. it has gained respect as an alliance of some of the most progressive nations in the climate change negotiations, especially due to their extensive outreach within and outside Latin America.

The love story began in the meetings in Bonn 6 month ago. Having a similar stance on the future of the climate negotiations. Paraguay approached the group with the intention of joining, and conversation started to see if Paraguay shared AILAC’s vision.

AILAC defines itself as “a progressive group” that believes that every country should commit to reduce emissions according to their own capabilities and conditions, in a legally binding way. They are keen on using market mechanisms to do and at the same time push strongly for climate change adaptation goals.

“There are other countries that want to enter but we also need to be a little cautious. It took almost three years to create this group and being in harmony,” said Giovanna Valverde, the president of AILAC.

But the group is always willing to grow. “The more the merrier. I think it is valuable that more countries could be part of AILAC,” she added.

In fact, AILAC is trying to expand their views beyond Latin America. They were able to gather a discussion group called the Cartagena Dialogue, a group of 40 countries where ambitious climate goals have been proposed. It includes industrialized countries like Switzerland, Germany and Australia, and other developing countries like Nepal, the Marshall Island, Indonesia and Ghana.

In October, the flirting continued and Paraguay officially expressed the intentions of joining, and AILAC welcomed them. Now all that is left is the formal procedure.

The way to tie the knot is to do so is through a diplomatic letter (through their Ministries of Foreign Affairs) from Paraguay to Costa Rica, as the “ticos” hold the presidency of AILAC until December 31st. In case the letter comes next year, it should be addressed to Chile, as they will hold presidency.

In the time being, even though they are not officially “in a relationship”, AILAC and Paraguay could become an example of workteam for a divided Latin America in the COP 20.