Bogotá, Colombia — November 12, 2024. The “Training on Policy Tools for Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs)” was held as a capacity-building space focused on the regulatory framework. It was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) with financial support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The event brought together government professionals, regulators, and key public-policy actors to raise awareness and promote policy design that facilitates the transition toward the EIP model, while strengthening the regulatory framework.
A Strategic and Practical Training
This interactive training, held at Hotel Tequendama in Bogotá, was designed to provide participants with concrete tools for formulating and implementing policies that support the development of Eco-Industrial Parks (EIPs). The national government aims to promote a reindustrialization policy that makes parks more sustainable and competitive, aligned with international standards, enabling access to new markets and responding to increasingly demanding consumers.
The programme included both theoretical and practical sessions, highlighting modules such as:
- Introduction to the EIP Concept and Its Global Relevance
- Assessing Industrial Parks Against EIP Standards
- Public Policy Mechanisms: Design and Implementation
- International EIP Case Studies from Peru
Participation of Leaders and Experts
Speakers included government representatives, UNIDO, and international experts such as Ana Milena Gómez (National Planning Department), Juan Domínguez (Advisor to the Vice Minister of Energy), Juan Sebastián Gutiérrez (National Coordinator) and Sara Zafra (Legal Expert) from the EIP Colombia programme. Pamella Bocanegra Gervasi, from EIP Peru, presented regulatory and policy progress that has helped Peru advance EIP implementation.
A Global Approach with Local Applications
The training emphasized the importance of adapting UNIDO’s global tools to local contexts. In the practical session, participants carried out simulation exercises using UNIDO’s policy tool to address specific challenges, such as identifying applicable regulations, mapping key stakeholders, and analysing regulatory impacts.
Impact and Key Results
Highlighted achievements included:
- Capacity strengthening: participants gained practical tools to develop and apply public policies that promote EIPs.
- Cooperation networks: strengthened networks between national and international institutions, enabling exchange of good practices.
- Local knowledge generation: foundations were set to adapt EIP standards to local needs and challenges, supporting effective implementation.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
This training is part of the EIP Colombia Programme, which aims to demonstrate feasibility and benefits by increasing resource productivity and improving companies’ economic, social and environmental performance. UNIDO, together with SECO, reaffirmed its commitment to support countries in building resilient, competitive and sustainable industrial environments.
For more information, contact:
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Sara Zafra, Policy Expert, EIP Colombia Programme
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Juan Sebastián Gutiérrez, National Coordinator, EIP Colombia Programme
