2nd EIP General Managers Meeting in Cartagena: cooperation for a more sustainable industry
The Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) in Colombia held the 2nd EIP General Managers Meeting at Zona Franca Parque Central (ZFPC) in Cartagena, bringing together leaders from industrial parks and free trade zones from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. The goal was to accelerate the transition to the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) model through the exchange of experiences, solutions, and operational partnerships.
The day strengthened the EIP General Managers Network (created in March 2025) and helped identify strategies to turn environmental and social challenges into opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and shared value. Updates were also presented on GEIPP Phase II, lessons learned from implementing NTC 6720, and new opportunities for regional and financial cooperation.
Meeting agenda
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EIP managers panel: comparison of business best practices.
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Management perspective workshop: proposals to strengthen the regulatory framework.
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Dialogue on the popular economy: mechanisms to build linkages between formal companies and local actors.
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Technical visit to ZF Parque Central: industrial automation, a floating solar plant, and the park’s logistics center.
Outcomes and next steps
Managers shared concrete results in circular economy, human development, productive inclusion, environmental management, and business cooperation. They also advanced the creation of a Latin American EIP General Managers Network, conceived as a platform for competitive, inclusive, and sustainable industrialization. The network agreed to follow up on commitments and maintain thematic working groups.
“When services are shared and supply chains are integrated, costs go down and green investments become viable. Strengthening park–government–academia–business cooperation is key to attracting financing and accessing markets that already demand sustainable solutions.”
Acknowledgements: GEIPP Colombia recognized the hospitality of ZF Parque Central and the contributions of MINCIT, ANDI, Araujo Ibarra, and DNP. The meeting was made possible thanks to UNIDO, MINCIT, and the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombia – SECO.
Agradecimientos: GEIPP Colombia reconoce la hospitalidad de ZF Parque Central y el aporte de MINCIT, ANDI, Araujo Ibarra y DNP, cuyas intervenciones inspiraron nuevas rutas de acción. El encuentro fue posible gracias a ONUDI, MINCIT y la Embajada de Suiza en Colombia – SECO.
