On May 12, 2026, during Sugar Week in New York, the Association of Latin American Sugar Producers (UNALA), together with the Brazilian Sugarcane and Bioenergy Industry Association (UNICA), hosted the event “The Role of Bioenergy in Strengthening Energy Security.” The event brought together representatives from international organizations, the diplomatic community, the private sector, and international experts to discuss the strategic role of bioenergy in the current global context of energy transition and energy security.
Alfredo Vila, President of UNALA, delivered opening remarks, emphasizing how the sugarcane agroindustry has become a key player in advancing more resilient, diversified, and sustainable energy systems. Vila noted that, amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and vulnerabilities across global energy supply chains, diversifying energy sources is no longer a long-term aspiration, but an immediate necessity.
As part of the event’s main panel, Luis Miguel Paiz, Executive President of UNALA, participated in a discussion on the future of bioenergy and the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. During his remarks, Paiz highlighted the value of knowledge-sharing and collaboration among UNALA members, particularly in areas such as ethanol production and the cogeneration of bioelectricity from sugarcane biomass.
One of the topics that gained particular relevance throughout the event was the growing international interest in ethanol as a viable biofuel for maritime transportation, positioning it as a high-potential alternative to support the decarbonization of one of the most challenging sectors within the global energy transition.
The event further reinforced the positioning of the Latin American sugarcane agroindustry as a strategic actor in the production of renewable energy and the strengthening of energy security, while also highlighting the region’s potential to contribute actively to global decarbonization and sustainability goals.