The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is planning to open a regional observatory in the Uruguayan capital to promote renewable energy. The proposal, which will be submitted for evaluation, was announced at the Ibero-American Ministerial Meeting titled “Energy Security in Latin America: Renewable Energy as a Viable Alternative,” Sep. 26-28 in Montevideo.

“Latin America is the region that has made most progress in renewable energy. And the observatory is a necessary initiative for improving the region's energy matrix and the quality of life in the poorest areas,” Aizar Antonio Assefh, director of the regional UNIDO office in Uruguay, told Tierramérica.

Once finalized, in 2007, the project will involve the regional governments and institutions. Public participation is expected, but “the private sector can also be a good partner,” added Assefh.