The Association of Latin American Sugar Producers (UNALA) took an active role in the Pan-American Summit on Liquid Biofuels, held from August 19 to 21, 2025, in Rosario, Argentina. This summit brought together government representatives, private sector leaders, international organizations, academia, and civil society to promote a fair and sustainable energy transition for Latin America.
Structured around two main pillars—the II Pan-American Congress on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and the Congress on Biofuels for the Land Transport Sector—the summit positioned itself as a key platform to discuss technological advancements, regulatory frameworks, sustainability strategies, and opportunities for regional cooperation.
UNALA at the Forefront of the Biofuels Dialogue
Luis Fernando Salazar, Executive Director of UNALA, moderated the panel “RenovaBio, RenovaCalc and Biofuels Experiences in Brazil,” featuring Marlon Arraes, Director of Biofuels at Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy. This session provided an opportunity to share best practices in regulation and sustainability measurement in biofuels production.
During the event, UNALA also presented its case studies on the contributions of its members to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), documenting tangible experiences of the Latin American sugar sector in areas such as clean energy, decent work, innovation, climate action, and community development. This presentation highlighted the sugar industry as a key stakeholder in regional sustainable development.
In addition, Luis Fernando Salazar received special recognition as part of the Biofuels Champions team, a youth-led initiative that promotes biofuels as a tool for energy transition under the framework of the Pan-American Coalition on Liquid Biofuels.
Strategic Relevance for the Sugar Sector
UNALA’s participation in this event reaffirms the role of the sugar agroindustry as a strategic provider of sustainable energy solutions. Biofuels derived from sugarcane—such as ethanol—not only reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also make a significant contribution to climate change mitigation, energy diversification, and rural development.
The exchange of experiences, the building of partnerships, and the recognition received at this summit strengthen the sector’s commitment to sustainability and consolidate its leadership in the region