The 2nd Energy Conference of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) begins this Tuesday, May 27, and runs through Wednesday (28) at the Estoril Congress Center in Portugal, bringing together government officials, financiers, entrepreneurs, and energy sector experts to discuss how the organization can become a “relevant” bloc in global energy policies.
According to a report by Lusa, the event begins one day after the 3rd Meeting of CPLP Energy Ministers, which highlighted the need to strengthen energy cooperation among the nine member states of the community.
According to a statement, the 2nd Energy Conference, held under the theme “Driving a Resilient, Sustainable and Inclusive Energy Transition for the CPLP,” aims to be a platform for sharing recent developments and flagship projects in each member state’s energy transition. It also seeks to promote new partnerships and investment and financing opportunities.
The event is organized by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the CPLP, and is coordinated by the Lusophone Renewable Energy Association (ALER) and the Association of Energy Regulators of Portuguese Speaking Countries (RELOP), with support from Portugal’s Ministry of Environment and Energy.
In addition to ministers and other representatives from CPLP member states, the conference will feature participation from representatives of the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) and Mission 300—one of the major funding vehicles for energy sector projects in the coming years—among other key players.
Mayra Pereira, president of ALER, argued that the CPLP should “act as a strategic bloc and position itself as an alternative” in the global energy landscape—a vision that should guide the conference’s discussions. Last week, she stated that this is a unique moment for the Lusophone community to leverage its advantages and strengthen cooperation and partnerships among member states and energy sector stakeholders, paving the way for a shared energy transition.
“This goal demands economic diplomacy, thematic alliances, and a common narrative that turns priorities into concrete proposals, allowing the CPLP to position itself as a viable global energy alternative,” Pereira stressed.
She added: “We have a great advantage: Africa must definitely be seen as an opportunity, and most CPLP countries are on the African continent. (…) Brazil is one of the major actors in the G20, with a strategic position that could open major doors.”
This year is also significant as Brazil will host COP 30 from November 10 to 21, and Angola currently holds the presidency of the African Union (AU)—the continent’s largest regional organization—while also becoming a financial player with global impact, indirectly referencing the United States and its evolving international policy.
“There’s now potential for CPLP countries to unite, attract joint financing, and finally present a more unified stance in international forums,” Pereira emphasized.
On the business front, ALER’s president sees in the CPLP enormous potential for joint ventures, partnerships, consortia, joint trade missions, and renewable energy investments in member countries where skills can be transferred.
The conference will discuss public policies for energy transition, energy planning, fuel diversification, future power systems, decarbonization, the green economy, energy compacts, and financing and investment in the sector, according to a CPLP statement.
The first Energy Conference was held ten years ago in Timor-Leste.
Source: Diário Económico
