FONPLATA at COP30: Strengthening Local Governments with Allies
On November 11, FONPLATA joined the panel Strengthening Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, organized by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund), which was attended by representatives from CAF, ICLEI, and local governments from Argentina and Brazil.
Raphael Lenzi, FONPLATA’s Senior Specialist in Strategic Alliances, represented the Bank at the event. The panel highlighted experiences from operations financed by the OPEC Fund in collaboration with its partners, including projects co-financed with FONPLATA in Petrolina (State of Pernambuco) and Aracaju (State of Sergipe) in Brazil, as well as an interprovincial water infrastructure initiative in Argentina, developed jointly with the Kuwait Fund. Júlio Cezar Monzu Filgueira, Aracaju’s Special Secretary for Planning, Budget, and Innovation, underscored FONPLATA’s timely support for the Sergipe Territory Development Program (Mais Sergipe).
Panelists emphasized the importance of federal frameworks across the region, which enable municipalities and provinces to access international financing for projects that directly address urgent social and environmental needs. This local management capacity—strengthened by international partnerships—is essential to accelerate the transition toward a more inclusive and sustainable development.
Lenzi emphasized that “municipalities should be protagonists of development, not merely project executors. For us, it is vital that urban and social development be led by local governments, with the support of national governments and development banks. Their participation ensures that development and climate projects are grounded in real needs.”
The cases presented demonstrated the transformative potential of local governments when equipped with the right tools, strong regulatory frameworks, and strategic alliances that enhance their capacity for action.
In the coming days, FONPLATA will continue to participate in panels and events within the COP30 framework. See the full agenda here:
11/12/2025