New European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, concludes his first visit to Chile by strengthening bilateral relations with a view to COP28

On Friday, October 20, the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Wopke Hoekstra, visited Chile as part of his first international trip since beginning his new position on October 9. The objective of this visit was to continue deepening the political dialogue and cooperation between Chile and the European Union (EU) in the fight against climate change and environmental protection, which is especially relevant in the context of the upcoming signing of the EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).

During his visit, Commissioner Hoekstra emphasised that Chile is a key partner for the EU in global climate action and highlighted Chile's ambitious objectives and leadership role in climate diplomacy in the region. "Visiting Chile was a priority during my first international trip as Commissioner for Climate Action. Not only do we share the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, but we reinforce our commitment to work together to achieve it, as reflected in our numerous bilateral cooperation projects in this field and the new EU-Chile Advanced Framework Agreement”.

The Commissioner joined the Minister of Energy, Diego Pardow, in the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Team Europe Project for the Development of Renewable Hydrogen in Chile, an initiative launched by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President Gabriel Boric during their meeting in Chile in June this year. In his discussions with Minister Pardow, the Commissioner also discussed the global goal of tripling renewable capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030, and the call for the creation of a global carbon market, which will be pushed forward during COP28 later this year. He encouraged the Minister to "continue our great collaboration on common key issues such as renewable hydrogen, carbon markets, methane emission reductions, and critical raw materials".

The European Commissioner and the Chilean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alberto van Klaveren, reaffirmed the commitment of both parties to continue deepening their cooperation on climate diplomacy. They also discussed the first High Level Dialogue on Climate and Environment between the EU and Chile that took place on October 12, during which it became clear that both parties wish to continue cooperating and exchanging on policies and best practices in this area.

Following a visit to the exhibition "Rewind, Reimagine, Report" by Dutch photojournalist Chas Gerretsen, in the framework of the 50th anniversary of the coup d'état at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Commissioner Hoekstra met with young activists, representatives of civil society and academics to learn first-hand about their actions and priorities in the fight against climate change in the country in the run-up to COP28 in Dubai. "Listening to and involving young people and civil society in the fight against climate change is a priority for the European Union. It has been very inspiring to learn more about the number of actions that civil society is putting in place in Chile and the importance they place on social inclusion and supporting the most vulnerable communities."

The visit of the European Commissioner culminated in a meeting with the Minister of Environment, Maisa Rojas, during which they discussed the upcoming COP28 climate conference negotiations, with a focus on global energy, adaptation targets and climate finance. Commissioner Hoekstra highlighted the Minister's key role in the creation of a special fund for Loss and Damage during the last COP27.