Addressing a direct demand from the Consul General of Germany in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Klaus Zillikens, FGV Europe is promoting the Germany-Brazil bilateral cooperation initiative "Toward a Just Transition: an opportunity for Minas Gerais".
The project is a continuation of the cooperation agreement signed in 2016 for the organization of the conference “Environmental Disasters: National and International Experiences” held in September 2017 in Rio de Janeiro, in partnership with the Consulate General of Germany in Rio de Janeiro and funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The objective of the new bilateral initiative "Toward a Just Transition: an opportunity for Minas Gerais" is to bring experiences from Germany and other European countries to collaborate in the implementation of a new economic development model for the mining regions of Minas Gerais, currently declining.
This initiative, in addition to financial support from the German government, has the support of the Government of Minas Gerais. In December 2019, the contract of this partnership was signed between the parties.
Initially, the initiative consisted of two stages:
1. Bilateral event in Minas Gerais, during two days, including a conference and a workshop;
2. Elaboration of Studies and Projects, involving Brazilian and German stakeholders, aiming at the implementation of actions that promote a "fair transition" in the mining regions of Minas Gerais in the medium and long term.
Given the global COVID-19 pandemic scenario, the organizers have adapted the agenda of activities to a virtual format, hosting a series of virtual events from September to November 2020. In addition, if the health scenario permits, a physical event will be held in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil (tbc).
Launch event of the initiative, 28/01/2020 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
On January 28, 2020, the bilateral initiative was officially launched during an event at the FGV Cultural Center in Rio de Janeiro. The meeting was attended by FGV President, Dr. Carlos Ivan Simonsen Leal, the Consul General of Germany in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. Zillikens, who is finishing his diplomatic mission in Rio de Janeiro. Just Transition Project Managers, Marco Ristuccia and Marco Contardi also participated.
On the occasion, the consul general was honored by the president of FGV with a plaque in recognition of the valuable and constructive partnership and cooperation between FGV and the German consulate general in Rio de Janeiro.
Stay tuned for our agenda of virtual seminars!
Hope you will be able to participate.