What Happened in February’s Regions CoP Plenary Meeting

At the second Regions Plenary Meeting of the IURC–LAC programme—held this past February—participating European and Latin American regions focused on the next phase of cooperation. This plenary centred on the tools needed to implement the previously identified shared priorities—from cooperation roadmaps to the organisation of Advanced Cooperation Missions (ACMs).

Here are the five main takeaways:

1. Regions advance cooperation through structured missions

Advanced Cooperation Missions (ACMs) are beginning to take shape. These missions will bring together host and visiting regions for technical exchanges, institutional meetings and study visits to translate cooperation into tangible initiatives that can strengthen their economic, digital and environmental transitions.

2. Digital transition is a shared regional priority

Regions collaborating on the digital transition are developing a Regional Cooperation Action Plan (RCAP) focused on helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) navigate digital transformation and improve their digital readiness.

3. Green industrial transition gains momentum

The green industrial transition Community of Practice is advancing through regional exchanges that aim to support industrial modernisation while promoting sustainability and citizen engagement. Regions are also exploring ways to strengthen innovation ecosystems that can support greener and more competitive production models.

4. Ports, logistics, and regional connectivity take centre stage

Regions working on ports and regional connectivity are focused on improving port ecosystems and strengthening regional logistics networks through knowledge exchange and coordinated planning.

5. Cooperation roadmaps become the foundation for action

Beyond thematic priorities the meeting placed an emphasis on the development of cooperation roadmaps, which will provide the structure for the upcoming steps of the project. Participant regions emphasised the importance of maintaining these roadmaps flexible so that they can adapt cooperation efforts to emerging opportunities and stakeholder involvement.

In the coming weeks regions will continue to review the draft cooperation roadmaps and prepare the upcoming study visits to strengthen European and Latin America regional cooperation.

Cover image by Fabrizio Coco on Unsplash