The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) participated virtually in the panel discussion “Just and Inclusive Energy Transition Principles: Moving Beyond Negotiations to Implementation”. The event took place as part of the 13th Bioenergy Week, organized by the FAO’s Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), IRENA, and the Government of Panama, from June 22 to 26, 2026, in Panama City.

The session’s main objective was to explore how the principles of a just and inclusive energy transition can be translated from global commitments into concrete actions, with an emphasis on reducing energy poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. The session was moderated by Ricardo Gorini of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and featured Otávio Forattini Lemos Igreja, Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Marina Gil, the focal point for the Energy Unit of ECLAC’s Natural Resources Division.

Minister Otávio Forattini Lemos Igreja highlighted the guiding principles and pillars to advance towards a just energy transition. He also underscored the role of public policies, as they should ensure this process contributes to the well-being of the population and to social development, by incorporating protective measures for the most vulnerable groups. In addition, ECLAC underlined just energy transition as an opportunity to promote new models of development that could diminish structural gaps and strengthen productive capacities.

To achieve this, it is essential to promote long-term energy planning, and to address energy poverty, as it is a challenge that may be exacerbated by energy transition. ECLAC also noted that Latin America and the Caribbean have an electrification rate of 98.5%, one of the highest in the developing world. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, such as the lack of access to clean cooking solutions, which still affects approximately 78 million people to this day.

ECLAC also presented indicators that emphasize territorial, ethnic, and gender gaps in access to energy, underscoring the need to implement comprehensive, long-term policies to ensure a more just and inclusive energy transition. Namely, there are a disproportionate burden of domestic and unpaid care work which falls on women, a situation exacerbated in households with limited access to modern energy services. In fact, access to electricity reduces the unpaid work gap by 17% (from 23 to 19 hours per week).

Among the main conclusions of the session, it was highlighted the role of regional cooperation and learning forums can play in supporting the exchange of experiences and capacity building to advance energy transitions, while considering energy poverty. The session discussed the experiences, technical capabilities, and institutional lessons learned by countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in addressing this challenge.

Furthermore, participants collectively emphasized the need to strengthen institutional mandates, monitor the implementation of plans, and coordinate with regulators and financiers to translate planning priorities into concrete project portfolios and investments. Furthermore, strategies were analyzed to ensure equitable access to energy, promote social inclusion, and generate benefits for the most vulnerable populations, in line with climate and development goals.

ECLAC’s participation in the 13th Bioenergy Week reaffirms its commitment to supporting Latin American and Caribbean countries in designing and implementing long-term energy policies focused on reducing energy poverty, strengthening sector governance, and promoting an energy transition that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically viable.

In addition, ECLAC announced the upcoming publication of the updated Regional Assessment of Energy Poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean, scheduled for the second half of 2026, as well as the first Regional Dialogue on Energy Poverty, to be held in collaboration with Brazil and scheduled for the end of this year.