The Association of Latin American Sugar Producers (UNALA), a member of the United Nations’ Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network, presented a set of seventeen case studies on May 13, 2025, during a high-level event held at the Delegates Dinning Room at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The case studies document the most significant contributions of UNALA members from twelve countries to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include projects focused on environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Each case study features:
Objective and description
Related SDGs
Challenges
Lessons learned
Results
Interlinkages with other SDGs
References and sources of information
The event was attended by representatives from the United Nations system, permanent missions accredited to the UN, and leaders from the regional sugar agroindustry. Throughout the event, participants highlighted how the sugarcane and beet agribusiness in the region is actively contributing to the achievement of the SDGs through concrete initiatives in innovation, rural development, job creation, renewable energy production, and environmental conservation, among other areas.
The event agenda included:
Opening remarks by Mr. Alfredo Vila, President of UNALA
Remarks by Mr. Minoru Takada, Team Leader on Energy at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Presentation of the case studies by Mr. Luis Miguel Paiz, Executive President of UNALA
Formal handover of the case study publication to the United Nations
Networking reception to promote dialogue with key actors in sustainable development
The seventeen case studies are available (currently in English only) on the UNALA website:
https://unala.org/es/publicaciones/
Remarks to open the event by Mr. Alfredo Vila, President of UNALA.
Case studies overview delivered by Mr. Luis Miguel Paiz, Executive President of UNALA.
About UNALA
The Latin American Sugar Producers Association (UNALA) is a private, non-profit organization that brings together the sugarcane and sugar beet agribusiness sector of Latin America.
Founded in 2017 and formally established in 2020, it includes representatives from 14 countries. All members are fully and consciously committed to the sustainable production of sugar, electricity, and ethanol, among other byproducts.
For more information about UNALA, contact: unala@unala.org
About the Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network
The United Nations Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network envisions a world where water and energy resources are equitably and sustainably managed for all—supporting human well-being, ecosystem integrity, and a robust, inclusive economy in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This multi-stakeholder network aims to provide a global platform to strengthen capacities and foster high-level commitment to the integrated approach of SDGs 6 and 7, supporting the achievement of all SDGs.
Learn more about the Network: https://www.un.org/en/water-energy-network/page/about-network
(Left to right) Mr. Juan Pablo Solís, Mr. Luis Fernando Salazar, Mr. Luis Miguel Paiz, Mr. Raymundo Díaz, and Mr. José Orive.
(Left to right) Ms.Vivian Budinich, Mr. Richard Ham, Mr. Juan Eduardo Interiano, and Mr. Raimundo Díaz.