June 16, 2023
BOGOTA – The president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, reaffirmed his commitment to the sustainable development of Colombia through innovation, social inclusion, the fight against climate change, and regional integration following meetings with country authorities.
On his first visit to Colombia as president of the IDB, Goldfajn met with the Ministers of Finance and Public Credit, Ricardo Bonilla; of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Germán Umaña; and Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad. The discussions with the authorities revolved around concrete solutions to bridge the social divide, the path toward the transformation of the country’s energy matrix, and the need to adopt a coordinated approach to meet the needs of the different regions of the country, particularly the Amazon.
“We have a unique opportunity to increase our impact in the Amazon. The IDB Group has a regional mandate, which will allow us to work hand in hand with the Amazon countries to coordinate their efforts to achieve sustainable development in this important region,” said Goldfajn.
Together with Minister Bonilla and the CEO of IDB Lab, Irene Arias, the president inaugurated IDB Lab Forum, a high-level meeting that brings together the key players of entrepreneurial ecosystems that promote innovation and technology in Latin America and the Caribbean. The event takes place in Bogotá on June 13 and 14.
During his visit, Goldfajn visited the facilities of La Rolita, an electric bus operator that prioritizes gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Fifty percent of La Rolita’s workforce is made up of women, and with the support of the IDB, the company focuses on the social benefits of public transportation. This operator provides quality integrated public transport services to Ciudad Bolívar, in the south of Bogotá, directly benefiting more than 21 neighborhoods in the Colombian capital.
Before leaving the country, President Goldfajn went to the IDB Group’s Country Office in Colombia to meet with staff and thank them for their efforts and commitment to achieving the goals and objectives that allow them to continue improving lives in Colombia and the region.